The others did not perhaps object to him trying to better his condition, but his wages--fivepence an hour--were twopence an hour less than the standard rate, and the result was that in slack times often a better workman was 'stood off' when Sawkins was kept on.

Moreover, he was generally regarded as a sneak who carried tales to the foreman and the 'Bloke'.

Every new hand who was taken on was usually warned by his new mates 'not to let the b--r Sawkins see anything.' The unpleasant silence which now ensued was at length broken by one of the men, who told a dirty story, and in the laughter and applause that followed, the incident of the tea was forgotten.
'How did you get on yesterday ?' asked Crass, addressing Bundy, the plasterer, who was intently studying the sporting columns of the Daily Obscurer.
'No luck,' replied Bundy, gloomily.

'I had a bob each way on Stockwell, in the first race, but it was scratched before the start.' This gave rise to a conversation between Crass, Bundy, and one or two others concerning the chances of different horses in the morrow's races.

It was Friday, and no one had much money, so at the suggestion of Bundy, a Syndicate was formed, each member contributing threepence for the purpose of backing a dead certainty given by the renowned Captain Kiddem of the Obscurer.