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The Gilded Age

Grace continued working even though at one point she began feeling her head ache. She knew better that to do anything about it. She knew if she left the machine, she would not be able to get it back. Besides, no one there would care if she was sick.
 
"Is there another reason why they're outside our doors?" Marius asked, glancing out as well at the crowd.


"They want better working conditions and more money. They want there to be equal pay and they want children to be able to go to school," Marius's father said.


Marius waited for him to take it back and say a stream of vile, disgusting and horribly twisted reasons instead, wanted his father to declare the people below vile so it would be easier to hate him.


Marius and his brother had never had a good relationship with their father. He was too much all the time and he was abrasive and not at all like them. When Marius' brother left to marry a wealthy woman, their father had been ecstatic, thinking more money would come into the family. However, when Marius' brother started to work for people by being a writer and artist, his father's approval evaporated. He did not even go see Marius' brother when he wrote to them stating that they were expecting a child.


Marius sometimes wondered if they were truly related and why his mother remained with him.


"And what do you say to that?" Marius finally asked.


"Bullshit," Marius' father spat. "They want to tear apart a system them don't understand and prop it up on rickety legs."
 
Grace began having a coughing fit that lasted about thirty seconds. Mr. Gregson walked up to her.


"You'd better not be getting sick girl," said Mr. Gregson. "And if you are, remember you can easily be replaced.


"Yes, Mr. Gregson," said Grace. "I'm fine, sir. It's just a cough."
 
Marius worked his jaw for a second but said nothing.


"Go on your rounds and rub elbows with the lot," Marius' father said suddenly. "Maybe you'll find a way to quell their outrage."


"Perhaps a compromise," Marius offered.


Marius' father glared at him.


"Give them a higher payment bit by bit," Marius said. "Institute a small age limit. Or restrict children to safer sites. Either way, we can ensure that they are safer."
 
Grace was becoming more pale, paler than she usually was. She was sweating, but she felt very cold.


Grace ignored it and continued on with her work. She couldn't be getting sick! She needed this job more than anything and nothing would be able to make walk out on it, not even getting sick.
 
His father shook his head. "Go out there and tell me if that's applicable," he snapped.


Marius didn't move.


"Go," his father snapped. Marius clenched his fists together tightly before leaving the room, heading out towards the floor with the noisy machines again.
 
Grace felt awful, like she was ready to collapse. But, she willed herself to keep going. She wasn't going to lose her job, something that helped put food on the table for her and Ada for a sldays rest.
 
Marius made his way through the floor, examining the people working. It seemed that most of the people outside in the crowd (not a riot, it hadn't gotten violent just rowdy) had either been replaced or were from another factory. It seemed that most of the workers were unwilling to loose a paycheck over actions that might never be taken.


He pursued his lips as he noted the pale looks of some of them. It seemed that the poor had no choice but to work, no matter what happened in their lives.
 
Grace coughed again. This fit lasted about fifteen seconds longer than the one before. Still Grace had willed herself to keep working. She would not lose her job.
 
Marius frowned as he heard coughing somewhere close by. Some other workers shifted away from the source, obviously worried about catching the illnesses that was causing the other to cough. Marius followed the sound to see Grace.


"Are you alright?" he asked her, peering down at the woman. She did seem rather pale that day.
 
"I have to, sir," said Grace, still sounding horse and weak. "If I leave, I'll lose my job."
 
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Marius glanced around, noting that there were no foremen about. "Listen," he said, lowering himself so that he was eye-level with her. "I will promise you that if you leave for today, that I will ensure that you keep your machine and the money you would have earned, alright? There is no reason for someone to work while ill; it may get others sick and it slows down productivity in the first place."
 
"Alright," Marius said, glancing down at her. "Do you need me to take you home?" He swung one of her arms over his shoulder and helped her to her feet.
 
"I highly doubt you'd be able to get back otherwise," Marius said kindly. "I'm sure the factory will be fine." He led her gently out the door and into his car.
 
Grace, despite doing much physically, was out of breath by the time they made it to his car.


"You don't have to do this, sir," said Grace.
 
"Nonsense," Marius said, aiding her in sitting down. "It is nothing to me at all."


He got into his car and drove her towards her house. "Is there anyone to take care of you while you're home for the time?"
 
"Are you certain?" Marius asked. "I could always drop you off at my place for the day. I have a maid that comes by during the day and I'm sure she'll be able to look after you better than you sitting home by yourself."
 
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