For a few minutes the others smoked and thought.

They were independent and suspicious about new plans, but it was obvious that the best defense against a monopoly was a combine.

In fact, they began to see it was the only defense they had.

Then one turned to Peter.
"If you're for stopping Bell robbing us and starving poor folk at Allerby, I'm with you." One after another promised his support, a plan was agreed upon, and Peter was satisfied when his neighbors went away.

They were patient, cautious, and hard to move; but he knew their obstinacy when they were roused.