The Americans Part 67

FIFTH MILITIAMAN.

He'll have his hands full. Seen the evening papers?

(_He unfolds a paper and a group gathers about him_)

CRIES.

(_Near the door_)

That's right! that's right!

THIRD WORKMAN.

(_From the edge of the crowd_)

What are they sayin', Mike?

FOURTH WORKMAN.

(_On the edge of the crowd, looking toward the group about Dicey_)

We can't hear nothin' with that racket there.

FIRST MILITIAMAN.

It's his lost sheep he's after.

SECOND MILITIAMAN.

Let him bark.

FOURTH WORKMAN.

You've stood by us, boys, and we'll stand by you.

VOICE.

(_From back in the mill_)

Tell him we won't, no matter what he says!

(_The Sixth Militiaman comes up the stairs, with four or five bugles, and shows surprise to see the crowd gathered_)

THIRD MILITIAMAN.

(_In the group about the paper_)

And Smith and Balding Brothers!

FOURTH WORKMAN.

Lemme see it.

FIFTH MILITIAMAN.

Give him a rouse. What say you. One, two, three.

SEVERAL.

Hurrah for Harry Egerton! Hurrah!

VOICE.

(_Rear_)

Hurrah for the Living Mill!

A GENERAL SHOUT.

(_Back in the mill_)

The Living Mill!

FIFTH MILITIAMAN.

I guess, by G.o.d, he knows where we stand now.

(_They join the crowd about the door. Jim King comes through the gate in the railing, followed by Rome Masters, who is considerably intoxicated_)

JIM KING.

And hug 'em round the neck, if I was you.

That's what I'd do.

ROME MASTERS.

Now you just stop that, Jim.

JIM KING.

Why did you tell Aug. Jergens that you would?

ROME MASTERS.

I ain't said nothin' about backin' down.

But I ain't nothin' agin him.

JIM KING.