Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

This scene is set in a small, north country pub. Mrs. Hitchcock, the pub's landlady, tries to convince the Parson to intervene in a local coal miner's strike, saying that the men not working is ruining both her business and the town. The Parson says that in times of difficulty it's better that people not drink, and he advocates shutting down all the pubs completely. He's on his way out when the Bargee comes in and tells the Parson that soldiers have arrived. The Parson becomes concerned, assuming that the soldiers are there to break the strike and that their arrival means violence will begin. The Bargee tells him that they've actually come recruiting, and he hints that they might still be useful. The Parson sees his point, apparently understanding that some of the strikers might be recruited and therefore gotten...