noon
Even Wells , who had known Elmendorf for months , seemed unprepared for the sublimity of this flight . He turned away towards the window to let them settle it between them . At last Allison spoke , with exaggerated calm : `` And if I refuse this modest request , what am I to expect as the consequence ? '' `` The immediate consequence will be the calling out at noon to-day of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers , thus tying up every road in the country , to be followed to-morrow by similar action on the part of the Knights of Labor , involving every industry in the land and turning millions of idle men loose upon our streets . What will stand between you , your hoarded wealth , and your cherished ones -- your lives -- and the wild vengeance of a long oppressed and starving populace , I leave you to imagine . '' `` And you actually expect me to believe this trash , -- expect me to believe that the State of Illinois will stand idly by and see -- '' `` The governor of Illinois , '' interrupted Elmendorf , `` has refused to interfere . His heart beats in sympathy with that of his people .