Contrasts the easy life of the company board members with that of the railway workers.

Lord Claud Hamilton and Mr. J. F. S. Gooday have gone for "a brief respite". Put in plain words, they have skidaddled out of the way. The exertion of listening to their men for 13 hours in two days has affected their nerves, or otherwise they think it prudent to play the game at hide and seek for awhile. But the temper of the men on Sunday evening indicates that two can play at that game. Far be it from us to pour oil upon the flames, but we are not a bit surprised to learn that the patience of the Great Eastern men is nearly exhausted. We do not begrudge Lord Claud and his henchman a little holiday, but they might have left instructions for that 3s. per week rise before they had gone. Do the company think the men can be played with? If so, we are afraid they will find they are mistaken.

Who is it takes a holiday?
Who is it sports the time away
In shooting grouse or pheasant gay ? [Note 567.1]
Lord Claud. [Note 567.2] 

Who is it takes a brief respite,
And prudently retires from sight'?
Who is it fears to meet the light ?
Gooday. [Note 567.3] 

Who are they that are left behind
To work and slave, to toil and grind ?
Whose patience is like Job's-refined ?  [Note 567.4] 
The men.

Who are they wait the kindling spark, -
Who soon may overshoot the mark,
When sun shall set and night be dark ?
The men. [Note 567.5]