Scoppets

The first day back at the factory was like any other, stamping out thousands of blank brass scoppets. But now I was wondering where all the brass came from, and where all those scoppets went, and how they were cut and what they were used for. I had never used a scoppet myself, nor seen one used: not one of ours, nor one from any other manufacturer. When the bell went, I followed a cart of scoppets out through the back doors. The men pushed it across a rough yard to other workshed. Coming the other way was a load of fresh brass sheets. I set the worn face of my hammer in the palm of my hand. I had earned enough to buy a salve for my aching shoulder.