'"
HORNIG
He might ha' spared hisself the trouble--_that_ won't help him. It's
something else they've set their minds on here. It's the factories.
They're goin' to smash up the power-looms. For it's them that is ruinin'
the hand-loom weaver. Even a blind man might see that. No! the good folks
knows what they're after, an' no sheriff an' no p'lice superintendent'll
bring them to reason--much less a bit of a board. Him as has seen 'em at
work already knows what's comin'.
HOUSE INMATES
"Did any one ever see such a crowd!"--"What can _these_ be
wantin'?"--[_Hastily._] "They're crossin' the bridge!"--[_Anxiously._]
"They're never comin' over on this side, are they?"--[_In excitement and
terror._] "It's to us they're comin'! They're comin' to us! They're
comin' to fetch the weavers out o' their houses!"
[_General flight. The entry-room is empty. A crowd of dirty, dusty
rioters rush in, their faces scarlet with brandy, and excitement;
tattered, untidy-looking, as if they had been up all night. With the
shout:_ "Weavers, come out!" _they disperse themselves through the
house. BECKER and several other young weavers, armed with cudgels and
poles, come into OLD HILSE'S room.
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