"What did I hear somebody say about these bands?
Hum! Give me an hour or two to make inquiries." "Don't say an hour or two, sir, when the men have got to make up lost time.

We will give you a little grace; we will take a walk down street, and perhaps it will come to your recollection." "Hum!" said Grotait; and as that was clearly all they were to get out of him just then they left and took a turn.
In half an hour they came back again, and sat down in the parlor.
Grotait soon joined them.

"I've been thinking," said he, "what a pity it is we can't come to some friendly arrangement with intelligent masters, like Mr.Little, to deduct the natty money every week from the men's wages." "Excuse me," said Bayne, "we are not here for discussion.

We want our bands." "Do you doubt that you will get them, sir?
Did ever I break faith with master or man ?" "No, no," said the pacific Bayne, alarmed at the sudden sternness of his tone.

"You are as square as a die--when you get it all your own way.
Why, Mr.Little, Cheetham's bands were taken one day, and, when he had made the men pay their arrears, he was directed where to find the bands; but, meantime, somebody out of trade had found them, and stolen them.
Down came bran-new bands to the wheel directly, and better than we had lost.