The yard foreman, in an attempt to speed up the emptying of the coal wagon, is trying a little bribery in the form of a crate of beer. If they empty the wagon by lunchtime, they’ll be given a couple of bottles each to imbibe during their break. However, Doug and Douglas (who’s lost his shovel) know that the ale is a homebrew, made from turnips owing to a shortage of proper malt and hops, so they’re unlikely to be easily won over.