И проиграли бой

           Theirlaughterwasheavy.Intotheroomstheyswarmed,andcarriedouttheirthingsandpiledthemontheground—potsandkettles,blankets,bundlesofclothing.Thewomenrolledoutpush-cartsforthechildren.Sixofthecommitteemenforcedandshoulderedtheirwaythroughthepress,andenteredLondon’sroom.

           Thesunwasclearofthetreesnow,andtheairwaswarmedbyit.Behindthebuildingsbatteredoldcarsbegantostartwithburstsofnoise.Thereweresoundsofhammeringaspossessionswereboxed.Theplaceswamwithactivity,withthecommotionofendlesstripsbackandforth,ofopinionsshouted,ofjudgmentsmadeandoverruled.

           Londonlethiscommitteeinandshutthedoortokeepoutthenoise.Themenweresilent,dignified,graveandimportant.Theysatonboxesandclaspedtheirkneesandbentportentouslooksatthewalls.

           Macsaid,"London,d’youmindifItalktothem?"

           "Sure,goahead."

           "Idon’tmeantohogtheshow,gents,"Maccontinued."Ihadsomeexperience.Ibeenthroughthisbefore.MaybeIcanshowyouwherethethingbreaksdown,andmaybewecansteerclearofsomeofthethingsthatconkus."

           Oneofthemensaid,"Goahead,fella.We’lllisten."

           "O.K.Wegotplentyoffirenow.That’sthetroublewithworkin’stiffs,though.Oneminutethey’resteameduplikeakegofbeer,andthenext,they’recoldasawhore’sheart.Wegottocutdownthesteamandwarmupthecold.NowIwanttomakeasuggestion.Youguyscanthinkitover,an’thenyoucanmaybegetthewholebunchtovoteonit.