23/24 Old rheumatic men and young children starved by half-empty grates when the snow stopped us getting the peat, and you have seen the profits you worked hard for melt before the price Bell charged for cattle-meal. He's been getting greedier, until he imagined he could rob us as he liked, and since he has forced us into the quarrel, my notion is we ought to fight it out." Peter looked surprised, but did not speak, and there was silence for a few moments. We'll hoad on until Bell comes doon seven-and-six. If he does, we'll talk aboot it again." After some argument, the rest agreed, and when they went away Peter turned to his son. |