As spring came on some few of the mills had opened, and men had found work in them at a reduction of wages.

The entire history of the enforced idleness of thousands of men in Milton during that eventful winter would make a large volume of thrilling narrative.

Philip's story but touches on this other.

He had grown rapidly familiar with the different phases of life which loafed and idled and drank itself away during that period of inaction.

Hundreds of men had drifted away to other places in search of work.