The strike extended, as it was expected and designed to do. The men at
old Jack's factory were ordered out, and came, excepting only old Jack
himself. He was desperate. Since he had ventured on that cursed
investment everything had gone wrong: but he would not lose his savings
if mere personal risk would preserve them. Moreover, a man of fifty is
not readily re-employed, once out; and as the firm was quite ready to
keep one hand on to oil and see that things were in order, old Jack
stayed: making his comings and goings late to dodge the pickets, and
approaching subtly by a railway-arch stable and a lane thereunto. It was
not as yet a very great strike, and with care these things could be
done. Still, he was sighted and chased twice, and he knew that, if the
strike lasted, and feeling grew hotter, he would be attacked in his own
house. If only he could hold on through the strike, and by hook or crook
keep the outgoings paid, he would attend to Mr. Parsons afterward.