one o'clock
The lecture announced by Philpot was not delivered . Anxiously awaiting the impending slaughter the men kept tearing into it as usual , for they generally keep working in the usual way , each one trying to outdo the others so as not to lose his chance of being one of the lucky one ... Misery now went round and informed all the men with the exception of Crass , Owen , Slyme and Sawkins -- that they would have to stand off that night . He told them that the firm had several jobs in view -- work they had tendered for and hoped to get , and said they could look round after Christmas and he might -- possibly -- be able to start some of them again . They would be paid at the office tomorrow -- Saturday -- at one o'clock as usual , but if any of them wished they could have their money tonight . The men thanked him , and most of them said they would come for their wages at the usual pay-time , and would call round as he suggested , after the holidays , to see if there was anything to do . In all , fifteen men -- including Philpot , Harlow , Easton and Ned Dawson , were to ` stand off ' that night . They took their dismissal stolidly , without any remark , some of them even with an affectation of indifference , but there were few attempts at conversation afterwards .