1 files changed, 10213 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/3244.txt b/3244.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0544b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/3244.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10213 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of To Him That Hath, by Ralph Connor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: To Him That Hath
+       A Novel Of The West Of Today
+
+Author: Ralph Connor
+
+Release Date: June 3, 2006 [EBook #3244]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TO HIM THAT HATH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Donald Lainson
+
+
+
+
+
+TO HIM THAT HATH
+
+A NOVEL OF THE WEST OF TODAY
+
+
+By Ralph Connor
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+I    THE GAME
+
+II   THE COST OF SACRIFICE
+
+III  THE HEATHEN QUEST
+
+IV   ANNETTE
+
+V    THE RECTORY
+
+VI   THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
+
+VII  THE FOREMAN
+
+VIII FREE SPEECH
+
+IX   THE DAY BEFORE
+
+X    THE NIGHT OF VICTORY
+
+XI   THE NEW MANAGER
+
+XII  LIGHT THAT IS DARKNESS
+
+XIII THE STRIKE
+
+XIV  GATHERING CLOUDS
+
+XV   THE STORM
+
+XVI  A GALLANT FIGHT
+
+XVII SHALL BE GIVEN
+
+
+
+
+TO HIM THAT HATH
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE GAME
+
+
+"Forty-Love."
+
+"Game! and Set. Six to two."
+
+A ripple of cheers ran round the court, followed by a buzz of excited
+conversation.
+
+The young men smiled at each other and at their friends on the side
+lines and proceeded to change courts for the next set, pausing for
+refreshments on the way.
+
+"Much too lazy, Captain Jack. I am quite out of patience with you,"
+cried a young girl whose brown eyes were dancing with mock indignation.
+
+Captain Jack turned with a slightly bored look on his thin dark face.
+
+"Too lazy, Frances?" drawled he. "I believe you. But think of the
+temperature."
+
+"You have humiliated me dreadfully," she said severely.
+
+"Humiliated you? You shock me. But how, pray?" Captain Jack's eyes
+opened wide.
+
+"You, a Canadian, and our best player--at least, you used to be--to
+allow yourself to be beaten by a--a--" she glanced at his opponent with
+a defiant smile--"a foreigner."
+
+"Oh! I say, Miss Frances," exclaimed that young man.
+
+"A foreigner?" exclaimed Captain Jack. "Better not let Adrien hear you."
+He turned toward a tall fair girl standing near.
+
+"What's that?" said the girl. "Did I hear aright?"
+
+"Well, he's not a Canadian, I mean," said Frances, sticking to her guns.
+"Besides, I can't stand Adrien crowing over me. She is already far too
+English, don-che-know. You have given her one more occasion for triumph
+over us Colonials."
+
+"Ah, this is serious," said Captain Jack. "But really it is too hot you
+know for--what shall I say?--International complications."
+
+"Jack, you are plain lazy," said Frances. "You know you are. You don't
+deserve to win, but if you really would put your back into it--"
+
+"Oh, come, Frances. Why! You don't know that my cousin played for his
+College at Oxford. And that is saying something," said Adrien.
+
+"There you are, Jack! That's the sort of thing I have to live with,"
+said Frances. "She thinks that settles everything."
+
+"Well, doesn't it rather?" smiled Adrien.
+
+"Oh, Jack, if you have any regard for your country, not to say my
+unworthy self, won't you humble her?" implored Frances. "If you would
+only buck up!"
+
+"He will need to, eh, Adrien?" said a young fellow standing near, slowly
+sipping his drink.
+
+"I think so. Indeed, I am quite sure of it," coolly replied the girl
+addressed. "But I really think it is quite useless."
+
+"Ha! Ha! Cheer up, Jack," laughed the young man, Stillwell by name.
+
+"Really, old chap, I feel I must beat you this set," said Captain Jack
+to the young Englishman. "My country's credit as well as my own is at
+stake, you see."
+
+"Both are fairly assured, I should say," said the Englishman.
+
+"Not to-day," said Stillwell, with a suspicion of a polite sneer in his
+voice. "My money says so."
+
+"Canada vs. the Old Country!" cried a voice from the company.
+
+"Now, Jack, Jack, remember," implored Frances.
+
+"You have no mercy, Miss Frances, I see," said the Englishman, looking
+straight into her eyes.
+
+"Absolutely none," she replied, smiling saucily at him.
+
+"Vae victis, eh, old chap?" said Sidney, as they sauntered off together
+to their respective courts. "By the way, who is that Stillwell chap?" he
+asked in a low voice of Captain Jack as they moved away from the others.
+"Of any particular importance?"
+
+"I think you've got him all right," replied Jack carelessly. The
+Englishman nodded.
+
+"He somehow gets my goat," said Jack. The Englishman looked mystified.
+
+"Rubs me the wrong way, you know."
+
+"Oh, very good, very good. I must remember that."
+
+"He rather fancies his own game, too," said Jack, "and he has come
+on the last year or two. In more ways than one," he added as an
+afterthought.
+
+As they faced each other on the court it was Stillwell's voice that rang
+out:
+
+"Now then, England!"
+
+"Canada!" cried a girl's voice that was easily recognised as that of
+Frances Amory.
+
+"Thumbs down, eh, Maitland?" said the Englishman, waving a hand toward
+his charming enemy.
+
+Whatever the cause, whether from the spur supplied by the young lady who
+had constituted herself his champion or from the sting from the man
+for whom for reasons sufficient for himself he had only feelings of
+hostility and dislike, the game put up by Captain Jack was of quite a
+different brand from that he had previously furnished. From the
+first service he took the offensive and throughout played brilliant,
+aggressive, even smashing tennis, so much so that his opponent appeared
+to be almost outclassed and at the close the figures of the first set
+were exactly reversed, standing six to two in Captain Jack's favour.
+
+The warmth of the cheers that followed attested the popularity of the
+win.
+
+"My word, old chap, that is top-hole tennis," said the Englishman,
+warmly congratulating him.
+
+"Luck, old boy, brilliant luck!" said Captain Jack. "Couldn't do it
+again for a bet."
+
+"You must do it just once more," said Frances, coming to meet the
+players. "Oh, you dear old thing. Come and be refreshed. Here is the
+longest, coolest thing in drinks this Club affords. And one for you,
+too," she added, turning to the Englishman. "You played a great game."
+
+"Did I not? I was at the top of my form," said the Englishman gallantly.
+"But all in vain, as you see."
+
+"Now for the final," cried Frances eagerly.
+
+"Dear lady," said Captain Jack, affecting supreme exhaustion, "as you
+are mighty, be merciful! Let it suffice that we appear to have given you
+an exposition of fairly respectable tennis. I am quite done."
+
+"A great win, Jack," said Adrien, offering her hand in congratulation.
+
+"All flukes count, eh, Maitland?" laughed Stillwell, unable in spite of
+his laugh to keep the bite out of his voice.
+
+"Fluke?" exclaimed the Englishman in a slow drawling voice. "I call it
+ripping good tennis, if I am a judge."
+
+A murmur of approval ran through the company, crowding about with
+congratulations to both players.
+
+"Oh, of course, of course," said Stillwell, noting the criticism of
+his unsportsmanlike remark. "What I mean is, Maitland is clearly out
+of condition. If he were not I wouldn't mind taking him on myself," he
+added with another laugh.
+
+"Now, do you mean?" said Captain Jack lazily.
+
+"We will wait till the match is played out," said Stillwell with easy
+confidence. "Some other day, when you are in shape, eh?" he added,
+smiling at Maitland.
+
+"Now if you like, or after the match, or any old time," said Captain
+Jack, looking at Stillwell with hard grey, unsmiling eyes. "I understand
+you have come up on your game during the war."
+
+Stillwell's face burned a furious red at the little laugh that went
+round among Captain Jack's friends.
+
+"Frankly, I have had enough for to-day," said the Englishman to Jack.
+
+"All right, old chap, if you don't really mind. Though I feel you would
+certainly take the odd set."
+
+"Not a bit of it, by Jove. I am quite satisfied to let it go at that. We
+will have another go some time."
+
+"Any time that suits you--to-morrow, eh?"
+
+"To-morrow be it," said the Englishman.
+
+"Now, then, Stillwell," said Captain Jack, with a curt nod at him.
+"Whenever you are ready."
+
+"Oh, come, Maitland. I was only joshing, you know. You don't want
+to play with me to-day," said Stillwell, not relishing the look on
+Maitland's face. "We can have a set any time."
+
+"No!" said Maitland shortly. "It's now or never."
+
+"Oh, all right," said Stillwell, with an uneasy laugh, going into the
+Club house for his racquet.
+
+The proposed match had brought a new atmosphere into the Club house, an
+atmosphere of contest with all the fun left out.
+
+"I don't like this at all," said a man with iron grey hair and deeply
+tanned face.
+
+"One can't well object, Russell," said a younger man, evidently a friend
+of Stillwell's. "Maitland brought it on, and I hope he gets mighty well
+trimmed. He is altogether too high and mighty these days."
+
+"Oh, I don't agree with you at all," broke in Frances, in a voice coldly
+proper. "You heard what Mr. Stillwell said?"
+
+"Well, not exactly."
+
+"Ah, I might have guessed you had not," answered the young lady, turning
+away.
+
+Edwards looked foolishly round upon the circle of men who stood grinning
+at him.
+
+"Now will you be good?" said a youngster who had led the laugh at
+Edwards' expense.
+
+"What the devil are you laughing at, Menzies?" he asked hotly.
+
+"Why, don't you see the joke?" enquired Menzies innocently. "Well, carry
+on! You will to-morrow."
+
+Edwards growled out an oath and took himself off.
+
+Meantime the match was making furious progress, with the fury, it must
+be confessed, confined to one side only of the net. Captain Jack was
+playing a driving, ruthless game, snatching and employing without mercy
+every advantage that he could legitimately claim. He delivered his
+service with deadly precision, following up at the net with a smashing
+return, which left his opponent helpless. His aggressive tactics gave
+his opponent almost no opportunity to score, and he kept the pace
+going at the height of his speed. The onlookers were divided in their
+sentiments. Stillwell had a strong following of his own who expressed
+their feelings by their silence at Jack's brilliant strokes and their
+loud approval of Stillwell's good work when he gave them opportunity,
+while many of Maitland's friends deprecated his tactics and more
+especially his spirit.
+
+At whirlwind pace Captain Jack made the first three games a "love"
+score, leaving his opponent dazed, bewildered with his smashing play and
+blind with rage at his contemptuous bearing.
+
+"I think I must go home, Frances," said Adrien to her friend, her face
+pale, her head carried high.
+
+Frances seized her by the arm and drew her to one side.
+
+"Adrien, you must not go! You simply must not!" she said in a low tense
+voice. "It will be misunderstood, and--"
+
+"I am going, Frances," said her friend in a cold, clear voice. "I have
+had enough tennis for this afternoon. Where is Sidney? Ah, there he is
+across the court. No! Let me go, Frances!"
+
+"You simply must not go like that in the middle of a game, Adrien. Wait
+at least till this game is over," said her friend, clutching hard at her
+arm.
+
+"Very well. Let us go to Sidney," said Adrien.
+
+Together they made their way round the court almost wholly unobserved,
+so intent was the crowd upon the struggle going on before them. As the
+game finished Adrien laid her hand upon her cousin's arm.
+
+"Haven't you had enough of this?" she said. Her voice carried clear
+across the court.
+
+"What d'ye say? By Jove, no!" said her cousin in a joyous voice. "This
+is the most cheering thing I've seen for many moons, Adrien. Eh,
+what? Oh, I beg pardon, are you seedy?" he added glancing at her. "Oh,
+certainly, I'll come at once."
+
+"Not at all. Don't think of it. I have a call to make on my way home.
+Please don't come."
+
+"But, Adrien, I say, this will be over now in a few minutes. Can't you
+really wait?"
+
+"No, I am not in the least interested in this--this kind of tennis," she
+said in a bored voice.
+
+Her tone, pitched rather higher than usual, carried to the ears of the
+players who were changing ends at the moment. Both of the men glanced at
+her. Stillwell's face showed swift gratitude. On Jack's face the shadow
+darkened but except for a slight straightening of the line of his lips
+he gave no sign.
+
+"You are quite sure you don't care?" said Sidney. "You don't want me?
+This really is great, you know."
+
+"Not for worlds would I drag you away," said Adrien in a cool, clear
+voice. "Frances will keep you company." She turned to her friend. "Look
+after him, Frances," she said. "Good-bye. Dinner at seven to-night, you
+know."
+
+"Right-o!" said Sidney, raising his hat in farewell. "By Jove, I
+wouldn't miss this for millions," he continued, making room for Frances
+beside him. "Your young friend is really somewhat violent in his style,
+eh, what?"
+
+"There are times when violence is the only possible thing," replied
+Frances grimly.
+
+"By the way, who is the victim? I mean, what is he exactly?"
+
+"Mr. Stillwell? Oh, he is the son of his father, the biggest merchant in
+Blackwater. Oh, lovely! Beautiful return! Jack is simply away above his
+form! And something of a merchant and financier on his own account, to
+be quite fair. Making money fast and using it wisely. But I'm not going
+to talk about him. You see a lot of him about the Rectory, don't you?"
+
+"Well, something," replied Sidney. "I can't quite understand the
+situation, I confess. To be quite frank, I don't cotton much to him. A
+bit sweetish, eh, what?"
+
+"Yes, at the Rectory doubtless. I would hardly attribute to him a sweet
+disposition. Oh, quit talking about him. He had flat feet in the war, I
+think it was. Jack's twin brother was killed, you know--and mine--well,
+you know how mine is."
+
+A swift vision of a bright-faced, cheery-voiced soldier, feeling his way
+around a darkened room in the Amory home, leaped to Sidney's mind and
+overwhelmed him with pity and self-reproach.
+
+"Dear Miss Frances, will you forgive me? I hadn't quite got on to the
+thing. I understand the game better now."
+
+"Now, I don't want to poison your mind. I shouldn't have said
+that--about the flat feet, I mean. He goes to the Rectory, you know. I
+want to be fair--"
+
+"Please don't worry. We know all about that sort at home," said Sidney,
+touching her hand for a moment. "My word, that was a hot one! The
+flat-footed Johnnie is obviously bewildered. The last game was sheer
+massacre, eh, what?"
+
+If Maitland was not in form there was no sign of it in his work on the
+court. There was little of courtesy, less of fun and nothing at all of
+mercy in his play. From first to last and without reprieve he drove
+his game ruthlessly to a finish. So terrific, so resistless were his
+attacks, so coldly relentless the spirit he showed, ignoring utterly all
+attempts at friendly exchange of courtesy, that the unhappy and enraged
+Stillwell, becoming utterly demoralized, lost his nerve, lost his
+control and hopelessly lost every chance he ever possessed of winning a
+single game of the set which closed with the score six to nothing.
+
+At the conclusion of the set Stillwell, with no pretense of explanation
+or apology, left the courts to his enemy who stood waiting his
+appearance in a silence so oppressive that it seemed to rest like a
+pall upon the side lines. So overwhelming was Stillwell's defeat, so
+humiliating his exhibition of total collapse of morale that the company
+received the result with but slight manifestation of feeling. Without
+any show of sympathy even his friends slipped away, as if unwilling to
+add to his humiliation by their commiseration. On the other side, the
+congratulations offered Maitland were for the most part lacking in the
+spontaneity that is supposed to be proper to such a smashing victory.
+Some of his friends seemed to feel as if they had been called upon to
+witness an unworthy thing. Not so, however, with either Frances Amory or
+Sidney Templeton. Both greeted Captain Jack with enthusiasm and warmth,
+openly and freely rejoicing in his victory.
+
+"By Jove, Maitland, that was tremendous, appalling, eh, what?"
+
+"I meant it to be so," said Maitland grimly, "else I should not have
+played with him."
+
+"It was coming to him," said Frances. "I am simply completely
+delighted."
+
+"Can I give you a lift home, Frances?" said Maitland. "Let us get away.
+You, too, Templeton," he added to Sidney, who was lingering near the
+young lady in obvious unwillingness to leave her side.
+
+"Oh, thanks! Sure you have room?" he said. "All right. You know my
+cousin left me in your care."
+
+"Oh, indeed! Well, come along then, since our hero is so good. Really, I
+am uplifted to quite an unusual height of glorious exultation."
+
+"Don't rub it in, Frank," said Jack gloomily. "I made an ass of myself,
+I know quite well."
+
+"What rot, Jack. Every one of your friends was tickled to death."
+
+"Adrien, for instance, eh?" said Jack with a bitter little laugh, taking
+his place at the wheel.
+
+"Oh, Adrien!" replied Frances. "Well, you know Adrien! She is--just
+Adrien."
+
+As he turned into the street there was a sound of rushing feet.
+
+"Hello, Captain Jack! Oh, Captain Jack! Wait for me! You have room,
+haven't you?"
+
+A whirlwind of flashing legs and windblown masses of gold-red hair,
+which realised itself into a young girl of about sixteen, bore down on
+the car. It was Adrien's younger sister, Patricia, and at once her pride
+and her terror.
+
+"Why, Patsy, where on earth did you come from? Of course! Get in! Glad
+to have you, old chap."
+
+"Oh, Captain Jack, what a game! What a wonderful game! And Rupert has
+been playing all summer and awfully well! And you have hardly played a
+game! I was awfully pleased--"
+
+"Were you? I'm not sure that I was," replied Captain Jack.
+
+"Well, you WERE savage, you know. You looked as if you were in a fight."
+
+"Did I? That was very rotten of me, wasn't it?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know exactly. But it was a wonderful game. Of course, one
+doesn't play tennis like a fight, I suppose."
+
+"No! You are quite right, Pat," replied Captain Jack. "You see, I'm
+afraid I lost my temper a bit, which is horribly bad form I know,
+and--well, I wanted to fight rather than play, and of course one
+couldn't fight on the tennis court in the presence of a lot of ladies,
+you see."
+
+"Well, I'm glad you didn't fight, Captain Jack. You have had enough of
+fighting, haven't you? And Rupert is really very nice, you know. He has
+a wonderful car and he lets me drive it, and he always brings a box of
+chocolates every time he comes."
+
+"He must be perfectly lovely," said Captain Jack, with a grin at her.
+
+The girl laughed a laugh of such infectious jollity that Captain Jack
+was forced to join with her.
+
+"That's one for you, Captain Jack," she cried. "I know I am a pig where
+chocs are concerned, and I do love to drive a car. But, really, Rupert
+is quite nice. He is so funny. He makes Mamma laugh. Though he does
+tease me a lot."
+
+Captain Jack drove on in silence for some moments.
+
+"I was glad to see you playing though to-day, Captain Jack."
+
+"Where were you? I didn't see you anywhere."
+
+"Not likely!" She glanced behind her at the others in the back seat. She
+need not have given them a thought, they were too deeply engrossed to
+heed her. "Do you know where I was? In the crutch of the big elm--you
+know!"
+
+"Don't I!" said Captain Jack. "A splendid seat, but--"
+
+"Wouldn't Adrien be shocked?" said the girl, with a deliciously
+mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Or, at least, she would pretend to be.
+Adrien thinks she must train me down a bit, you know. She says I have
+most awful manners. She wants Mamma to send me over to England to her
+school. But I don't want to go, you bet. Besides, I don't think Dad can
+afford it so they can't send me. Anyway, I could have good manners if
+I wanted to. I could act just like Adrien if I wanted to--I mean, for a
+while. But that was a real game. I felt sorry for Rupert, a little. You
+see, he didn't seem to know what to do or how to begin. And you looked
+so terrible! Now in the game with Cousin Sidney you were so different,
+and you played so awfully well, too, but differently. Somehow, it was
+just like gentlemen playing, you know--"
+
+"You have hit it, Patsy,--a regular bull!" said Captain Jack.
+
+"Oh, I don't mean--" began the girl in confusion, rare with her.
+
+"Yes, you do, Pat. Stick to your guns."
+
+"Well, I will. The first game everybody loved to watch. The second
+game--somehow it made me wish Rupert had been a Hun. I'd have loved it
+then."
+
+"By Jove, Patsy, you're right on the target. You've scored again."
+
+"Oh, I'm not saying just what I want--but I hope you know what I mean."
+
+"Your meaning hits me right in the eye. And you are quite right.
+The tennis court is no place for a fight, eh? And, after all, Rupert
+Stillwell is no Hun."
+
+"But you haven't been playing this summer at all, Captain Jack," said
+the girl, changing the subject. "Why not?" The girl's tone was quite
+severe. "And you don't do a lot of things you used to do, and you don't
+go to places, and you are different." The blue eyes earnestly searched
+his face.
+
+"Am I different?" he asked slowly. "Well, everybody is different. And
+then, you know, I am busy. A business man has his hours and he must
+stick to them."
+
+"Oh, I don't believe you a bit. You don't need to be down at the mills
+all the time. Look at Rupert. He doesn't need to be at his father's
+office."
+
+"Apparently not."
+
+"He gets off whenever he wants to."
+
+"Looks like it."
+
+"And why can't you?"
+
+"Well, you see, I am not Rupert," said Captain Jack, grinning at her.
+
+"Now you are horrible. Why don't you do as you used to do? You know you
+could if you wanted to."
+
+"Yes, I suppose, if I wanted to," said Captain Jack, suddenly grave.
+
+"You don't want to," said the girl, quick to catch his mood.
+
+"Well, you know, Patsy dear, things are different, and I suppose I am
+too. I don't care much for a lot of things."
+
+"You just look as if you didn't care for anything or anybody sometimes,
+Captain Jack," said Patricia quietly. Then after a few moments she burst
+forth: "Oh, don't you remember your hockey team? Oh! oh! oh! I used to
+sit and just hold my heart from jumping. It nearly used to choke me when
+you would tear down the ice with the puck."
+
+"That was long ago, Pat dear. I guess I was--ah--very young then, eh?"
+
+"Yes, I know," nodded the girl. "I feel the same way--I was just a kid
+then."
+
+"Ah, yes," said Captain Jack, with never a smile. "You were just--let's
+see--twelve, was it?"
+
+"Yes, twelve. And I felt just a kid."
+
+"And now?" Captain Jack's voice was quite grave.
+
+"Now? Well, I am not exactly a kid. At least, not the same kind of kid.
+And, as you say, a lot of things are different. I think I know how you
+feel. I was like that, too--after--after--Herbert--" The girl paused,
+with her lips quivering. "It was all different--so different. Everything
+we used to do, I didn't feel like doing. And I suppose that's the way
+with you, Captain Jack, with Andy--and then your Mother, too." She
+leaned close to him and put her hand timidly on his arm.
+
+Captain Jack, sitting up very straight and looking very grave, felt the
+thrill of the timid touch run through his very heart. A rush of warm,
+tender emotion such as he had not allowed himself for many months
+suddenly surprised him, filling his eyes and choking his throat. Since
+his return from the war he had without knowledge been yearning for just
+such an understanding touch as this child with her womanly instinct
+had given him. He withdrew one hand from the wheel and took the warm
+clinging fingers tight in his and waited in silence till he was sure of
+himself. He drove some blocks before he was quite master of his voice.
+Then, releasing the fingers, he turned his face toward the girl.
+
+"You are a real pal, aren't you, Patsy old girl?" he said with a very
+bright smile at her.
+
+"I want to be! Oh, I would love to be!" she said, with a swift intake of
+breath. "And after a while you will be just as you were before you went
+away."
+
+"Hardly, I fear, Patsy."
+
+"Well, not the same, but different from what you are now. No, I don't
+mean that a bit, Captain Jack. But perhaps you know--I do want to see
+you on the ice again. Oh, it would be wonderful! Of course, the old team
+wouldn't be there--Herbert and Phil and Andy. Why! You are the only
+one left! And Rupert." She added the name doubtfully. "It WOULD be
+different! oh, so different! Oh! I don't wonder you don't care, Captain
+Jack. I won't wonder--" There was a little choke in the young voice. "I
+see it now--"
+
+"I think you understand, Patsy, and you are a little brick," said
+Captain Jack in a low, hurried tone. "And I am going to try. Anyway,
+whatever happens, we will be pals."
+
+The girl caught his arm tight in her clasped hands and in a low voice
+she said, "Always and always, Captain Jack, and evermore." And till they
+drew up at the Rectory door no more was said.
+
+Maitland drove homeward through the mellow autumn evening with a warmer,
+kindlier glow in his heart than he had known through all the dreary
+weeks that had followed his return from the war. For the war had wrought
+desolation for him in a home once rich in the things that make life
+worth while, by taking from it his mother, whose rare soul qualities had
+won and held through her life the love, the passionate, adoring love
+of her sons, and his twin brother, the comrade, chum, friend of all his
+days, with whose life his own had grown into a complete and ideal
+unity, deprived of whom his life was left like a body from whose raw and
+quivering flesh one-half had been torn away.
+
+The war had left his life otherwise bruised and maimed in ways known
+only to himself.
+
+Returning thus from his soul-devastating experience of war to find
+his life desolate and maimed in all that gave it value, he made the
+appalling discovery that he was left almost alone of all whom he had
+known and loved in past days. For of his close friends none were left
+as before. For the most part they were lying on one or other of the five
+battle fronts of the war. Others had found service in other spheres.
+Only one was still in his home town, poor old Phil Amory, Frances'
+brother, half-blind in his darkened room, but to bring anything of his
+own heart burden to that brave soul seemed sacrilege or worse. True
+enough, he was passing through the new and thrilling experience of
+making acquaintance with his father. But old Grant Maitland was a hard
+man to know, and they were too much alike in their reserve and in their
+poverty of self-expression to make mutual acquaintance anything but a
+slow and in some ways a painful process.
+
+Hence in Maitland's heart there was an almost extravagant gratitude
+toward this young generous-hearted girl whose touch had thrilled
+his heart and whose voice with its passionate note of loyal and
+understanding comradeship still sang like music in his soul, "Always and
+always, Captain Jack, and evermore."
+
+"By Jove, I have got to find some way of playing up to that," he said
+aloud, as he turned from the gravelled driveway into the street. And in
+the months that followed he was to find that the search to which he then
+committed himself was to call for the utmost of the powers of soul which
+were his.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE COST OF SACRIFICE
+
+
+Perrotte was by all odds the best all-round man in the planing mill, and
+for the simple reason that for fifteen years he had followed the lumber
+from the raw wood through the various machines till he knew woods and
+machines and their ways as no other in the mill unless it was old Grant
+Maitland himself. Fifteen years ago Perrotte had drifted down from the
+woods, beating his way on a lumber train, having left his winter's pay
+behind him at the verge of civilisation, with old Joe Barbeau and Joe's
+"chucker out." It was the "chucker out" that dragged him out of the
+"snake room" and, all unwitting, had given him a flying start toward a
+better life. Perrotte came to Maitland when the season's work was at its
+height and every saw and planer were roaring night and day.
+
+"Want a job?" Maitland had shouted over the tearing saw at him. "What
+can you do?"
+
+"(H)axe-man me," growled Perrotte, looking up at him, half wistful, half
+sullen.
+
+"See that slab? Grab it, pile it yonder. The boards, slide over the
+shoot." For these were still primitive days for labor-saving devices,
+and men were still the cheapest thing about a mill.
+
+Perrotte grabbed the slab, heaved it down to its pile of waste, the next
+board he slid into the shoot, and so continued till noon found him pale
+and staggering.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" said Maitland.
+
+"Notting--me bon," said Perrotte, and, clutching at the door jamb, hung
+there gasping.
+
+Maitland's keen blue eyes searched his face. "Huh! When did you last
+eat? Come! No lying!"
+
+"Two day," said Perrotte, fighting for breath and nerve.
+
+"Here, boy," shouted Maitland to a chore lad slouching by, "jump for
+that cook house and fetch a cup of coffee, and be quick."
+
+The boss' tone injected energy into the gawky lad. In three minutes
+Perrotte was seated on a pile of slabs, drinking a cup of coffee; in
+five minutes more he stood up, ready for "(h)anny man, (h)anny ting."
+But Maitland took him to the cook.
+
+"Fill this man up," he said, "and then show him where to sleep. And,
+Perrotte, to-morrow morning at seven you be at the tail of the saw."
+
+"Oui, by gar! Perrotte be dere. And you got one good man TOO-day, for
+sure."
+
+That was fifteen years ago, and, barring certain "jubilations," Perrotte
+made good his prophecy. He brought up from the Ottawa his Irish wife,
+a clever woman with her tongue but a housekeeper that scandalised her
+thrifty, tidy, French-Canadian mother-in-law, and his two children, a
+boy and a girl. Under the supervision of his boss he made for his family
+a home and for himself an assured place in the Blackwater Mills. His
+children fell into the hands of a teacher with a true vocation for his
+great work and a passion for young life. Under his hand the youth of
+the rapidly growing mill village were saved from the sordid and
+soul-debasing influences of their environment, were led out of the muddy
+streets and can-strewn back yards to those far heights where dwell the
+high gods of poesy and romance. From the master, too, they learned to
+know their own wonderful woods out of which the near-by farms had been
+hewn. Many a home, too, owed its bookshelf to Alex Day's unobtrusive
+suggestions.
+
+The Perrotte children were prepared for High School by the master's
+quiet but determined persistence. To the father he held up the
+utilitarian advantages of an education.
+
+"Your boy is quick--why should not Tony be a master of men some day?
+Give him a chance to climb."
+
+"Oui, by gar! Antoine he's smart lee'le feller. I mak him steeck on his
+book, you mak him one big boss on some mill."
+
+To the mother the master spoke of social advantages. The empty-headed
+Irish woman who had all the quick wit and cleverness of tongue
+characteristic of her race was determined that her girl Annette should
+learn to be as stylish as "them that tho't themselves her betters." So
+the children were kept at school by their fondly ambitious parents, and
+the master did the rest.
+
+At the Public School, that greatest of all democratic institutions, the
+Perrotte children met the town youth of their own age, giving and taking
+on equal terms, sharing common privileges and advantages and growing
+into a community solidarity all their own, which in later years brought
+its own harvest of mingling joy and bitterness, but which on the whole
+made for sound manhood and womanhood.
+
+With the girl Annette one effect of the Public School and its
+influences, educational and social, was to reveal to her the depth of
+the educational and social pit from which she had been taken. Her High
+School training might have fitted her for the teaching profession
+and completed her social emancipation but for her vain and thriftless
+mother, who, socially ambitious for herself but more for her handsome,
+clever children, found herself increasingly embarrassed for funds. She
+lacked the means with which to suitably adorn herself and her children
+for the station in life to which she aspired and for which good clothes
+were the prime equipment and to "eddicate" Tony as he deserved. Hence
+when Annette had completed her second year at the High School her mother
+withdrew her from the school and its associations and found her a place
+in the new Fancy Box Factory, where girls could obtain "an illigant and
+refoined job with good pay as well."
+
+This change in Annette's outlook brought wrathful disappointment to the
+head master, Alex Day, who had taken a very special pride in Annette's
+brilliant school career and who had outlined for her a University
+course. To Annette herself the ending of her school days was a bitter
+grief, the bitterness of which would have been greatly intensified had
+she been able to measure the magnitude of the change to be wrought in
+her life by her mother's foolish vanity and unwise preference of her
+son's to her daughter's future.
+
+The determining factor in Annette's submission to her mother's will was
+consideration for her brother and his career. For while for her father
+she cherished an affectionate pride and for her mother an amused and
+protective pity, her great passion was for her brother--her handsome,
+vivacious, audacious and mercurial brother, Tony. With him she counted
+it only joy to share her all too meagre wages whenever he found himself
+in financial straits. And a not infrequent situation this was with Tony,
+who, while he seemed to have inherited from his mother the vivacity,
+quick wit and general empty-headedness, from his father got nothing of
+the thrift and patient endurance of grinding toil characteristic of the
+French-Canadian habitant. But he did get from his father a capacity for
+the knowing and handling of machinery, which amounted almost to genius.
+Of the father's steadiness under the grind of daily work which had made
+him the head mechanic in the Mill, Tony possessed not a tittle. What
+he could get easily he got, and getting this fancied himself richly
+endowed, knowing not how slight and superficial is the equipment for
+life's stern fight that comes without sweat of brain and body. His
+cleverness deceived first himself and then his family, who united in
+believing him to be destined for high place and great things. Only
+two of those who had to do with him in his boyhood weighed him in the
+balance of truth. One was his Public School master, who labored with
+incessant and painful care to awaken in him some glimmer of the need of
+preparation for that bitter fight to which every man is appointed. The
+other was Grant Maitland, whose knowledge of men and of life, gained at
+cost of desperate conflict, made the youth's soul an open book to him.
+Recognising the boy's aptitude, he had in holiday seasons set Tony
+behind the machines in his planing mill, determined for his father's
+sake to make of him a mechanical engineer. To Tony each new machine was
+a toy to be played with; in a week or two he had mastered it and
+grown weary of it. Thenceforth he slacked at his work and became a
+demoralizing influence in his department, a source of anxiety to his
+steady-going father, a plague to his employer, till the holiday time was
+done.
+
+"Were you my son, my lad, I'd soon settle you," Grant Maitland would
+say, when the boy was ready to go back to his school. "You will make a
+mess of your life unless you can learn to stick at your job. The roads
+are full of clever tramps, remember that, my boy."
+
+But Tony only smiled his brilliant smile at him, as he took his pay
+envelope, which burned a hole in his pocket till he had done with it.
+When the next holiday came round Tony would present himself for a job
+with Jack Maitland to plead for him. For to Tony Jack was as king, to
+whom he gave passionate loyalty without stint or measure. And thus for
+his son Jack's sake, Jack's father took Tony on again, resolved to make
+another effort to make something out of him.
+
+The bond between the two boys was hard to analyse. In games at Public
+and High School Jack was always Captain and Tony his right-hand man,
+held to his place and his training partly by his admiring devotion to
+his Captain but more by a wholesome dread of the inexorable disciplinary
+measures which slackness or trifling with the rules of the game would
+inevitably bring him. Jack Maitland was the one being in Tony's
+world who could put lasting fear into his soul or steadiness into his
+practice. But even Jack at times failed.
+
+Then when both were eighteen they went to the War, Jack as an Officer,
+Tony as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the same Battalion, Jack hating
+the bloody business but resolute to play this great game of duty as he
+played all games for all that was in him, Tony aglow at first with the
+movement and glitter and later mad with the lust for deadly daring
+that was native to his Keltic Gallic soul. They returned with their
+respective decorations of D. S. O. and Military Medal and each with the
+stamp of war cut deep upon him, in keeping with the quality of his soul.
+
+The return to peace was to them, as to the thousands of their comrades
+to whom it was given to return, a shock almost as great as had been the
+adventure of war. In a single day while still amid the scenes and
+with all the paraphernalia of war about them an unreal and bewildering
+silence had fallen on them. Like men in the unearthly realities of a
+dream they moved through their routine duties, waiting for the orders
+that would bring that well-known, sickening, savage tightening of their
+courage and send them, laden like beasts of burden, up once more to that
+hell of blood and mud, of nerve-shattering shell, of blinding glare and
+ear-bursting roar of gun fire, and, worse than all, to the place where,
+crouching in the farcical deceptive shelter of the sandbagged trench,
+their fingers gripping into the steel of their rifle hands, they would
+wait for the zero hour. But as the weeks passed and the orders failed to
+come they passed from that bewildering and subconscious anxious waiting,
+to an experience of wildly exultant, hysterical abandonment. They were
+done with all that long horror and terror; they were never to go back
+into it again; they were going back home; the New Day had dawned; war
+was no more, nor ever would be again. Back to home, to waiting hearts,
+to shining eyes, to welcoming arms, to peace, they were going.
+
+Thereafter, when some weeks of peace had passed and the drums of peace
+had fallen quiet and the rushing, crowding, hurrahing people had melted
+away, and the streets and roads were filled again with men and women
+bent on business, with engagements to keep, the returned men found
+themselves with dazed, listless mind waiting for orders from someone,
+somewhere, or for the next movie show to open. But they were unwilling
+to take on the humdrum of making a living, and were in most cases
+incapable of initiating a congenial method of employing their powers,
+their new-found, splendid, glorious powers, by means of which they had
+saved an empire and a world. They had become common men again, they in
+whose souls but a few weeks ago had flamed the glory and splendour of a
+divine heroism!
+
+Small wonder that some of these men, tingling with the consciousness of
+powers of which these busy, engaged people of the streets and shops
+knew nothing, turned with disdain from the petty, paltry, many of them
+non-manly tasks that men pursued solely that they might live. Live! For
+these last terrible, great and glorious fifty months they had schooled
+themselves to the notion that the main business of life was not to live.
+There had been for them a thing to do infinitely more worth while than
+to live. Indeed, had they been determined at all costs to live, then
+they had become to themselves, to their comrades, and indeed to all the
+world, the most despicable of all living things, deserving and winning
+the infinite contempt of all true men.
+
+While the "gratuity money" lasted life went merrily enough, but when
+the last cheque had been cashed, and the grim reality that rations had
+ceased and Q. M. Stores were not longer available thrust itself vividly
+into the face of the demobilised veteran, and when after experiencing
+in job hunting varying degrees of humiliation the same veteran made
+the startling and painful discovery that for his wares of heroic
+self-immolation, of dogged endurance done up in khaki, there was no
+demand in the bloodless but none the less strenuous conflict of living;
+and that other discovery, more disconcerting, that he was not the man
+he had been in pre-war days and thought himself still to be, but quite
+another, then he was ready for one of two alternatives, to surrender to
+the inevitable dictum that after all life was really not worth a fight,
+more particularly if it could be sustained without one, or, to fling his
+hat into the Bolshevist ring, ready for the old thing, war--war against
+the enemies of civilisation and his own enemies, against those
+who possessed things which he very much desired but which for some
+inexplicable cause he was prevented from obtaining.
+
+The former class, to a greater or less degree, Jack Maitland
+represented; the latter, Tony Perrotte. From their war experience they
+were now knit together in bonds that ran into life issues. Together
+they had faced war's ultimate horror, together they had emerged with
+imperishable memories of sheer heroic manhood mutually revealed in hours
+of desperate need.
+
+At Jack's request Tony had been given the position of a Junior Foreman
+in one of the planing mill departments, with the promise of advancement.
+
+"You can have anything you are fit for, Tony, in any of the mills. I
+feel that I owe you, that we both owe you more than we can pay by any
+position we can offer," was Grant Maitland's word.
+
+"Mr. Maitland, neither you nor Jack owes me anything. Jack has paid, and
+more than once, all he owed me. But," with a rueful smile, "don't expect
+too much from me in this job. I can't see myself making it go."
+
+"Give it a big try. Do your best. I ask no more," said Mr. Maitland.
+
+"My best? That's a hard thing. Give me a bayonet and set some Huns
+before me, and I'll do my best. This is different somehow."
+
+"Different, yet the same. The same qualities make for success. You have
+the brains and with your gift for machinery--Well, try it. You and Jack
+here will make this go between you, as you made the other go."
+
+The door closed on the young man.
+
+"Will he make good, Jack?" said the father, anxiously.
+
+"Will any of us make good?"
+
+"You will, Jack, I know. You can stick."
+
+"Yes, I can stick, I suppose, but, after all--well, we'll have a go
+at it, anyway. But, like Tony, I feel like saying, 'Don't expect too
+much.'"
+
+"Only your best, Jack, that's all. Take three months, six months, a
+year, and get hold of the office end of the business. You have brains
+enough. I want a General Manager right now, Wickes is hardly up to it.
+He knows the books and he knows the works but he knows nothing else. He
+doesn't know men nor markets. He is an office man pure and simple, and
+he's old, too old. The fact is, Jack, I have to be my own Manager inside
+and outside. My foremen are good, loyal, reliable fellows, but they only
+know their orders. I want someone to stand beside me. The plant has been
+doubled in capacity during the war. We did a lot of war work--aeroplane
+parts. We got the spruce in the raw and worked it up, good work, too, if
+I do say it myself. No better was done."
+
+"I know something about that, Dad. I had a day with Badgley in Toronto.
+I know something about it, and I know where the money went, too, Dad."
+
+"The money? Of course, I couldn't take the money--how could I with my
+boys at the war, and other men's boys?"
+
+"Rather not. My God, Dad, if I thought--! But what's the use talking?
+They know in London all about the Ambulance Equipment and the Machine
+Gun Battery, and the Hospital. Do you know why Caramus took a job in
+the Permanent Force in England? It was either that or blowing out his
+brains. He could not face his father, a war millionaire. My God, how
+could he?"
+
+The boy was walking about his room with face white and lips quivering.
+
+"Caramus was in charge of that Machine Gun Section that held the line
+and let us get back. Every man wiped out, and Caramus carried back
+smashed to small pieces--and his father making a million out of
+munitions! My God! My God!"
+
+A silence fell in the room for a minute.
+
+"Poor old Caramus! I saw him in the City a month ago," said the father.
+"I pitied the poor wretch. He was alone in the Club, not a soul would
+speak to him. He has got his hell."
+
+"He deserves it--all of it, and all who like him have got fat on blood
+money. Do you know, Dad, when I see those men going about in the open
+and no one kicking them I get fairly sick. I don't wonder at some of the
+boys seeing red. You mark my words, we are going to have bad times in
+this country before long."
+
+"I am afraid of it, boy. Things look ugly. Even in our own works I feel
+a bad spirit about. There are some newcomers from the old country whom I
+can't say I admire much. They grouch and they won't work. Our production
+is lower than ever in our history and our labor cost is more than twice
+what it was in 1914."
+
+"Well, Dad, give them a little time to settle down. I have no more use
+for a slacker than I have for a war millionaire."
+
+"We can't stand much of that thing. Financially we are in fairly good
+shape. We broke even with our aeroplane work. But we have a big stock
+of spruce on hand--high-priced stuff, too--and a heavy, very heavy
+overhead. We shall weather it all right. I don't mind the wages, but we
+must have production. And that's why I want you with me."
+
+"You must not depend on me for much use for some time at least. I know a
+little about handling men but about machinery I know nothing."
+
+"Never fear, boy, you've got the machine instinct in you. I remember
+your holiday work in the mill, you see. But your place is in the office.
+Wickes will show you the ropes, and you will make good, I know. And I
+just want to say that you don't know how glad I am to have you come in
+with me, Jack. If your brother had come back he would have taken hold,
+he was cut out for the job, but--"
+
+"Poor old Andy! He had your genius for the business. I wish he had been
+the one to get back!"
+
+"We had not the choosing, Jack, and if he had come we should have felt
+the same about you. God knows what He is doing, and we can only do our
+best."
+
+"Well, Dad," said Jack, rising and standing near his father's chair, "as
+I said before, I'll make a go at it, but don't count too much on me."
+
+"I am counting a lot on you. You are all I have now." The father's
+voice ended in a husky whisper. The boy swallowed the rising lump in
+his throat but could find no more words to go on with. But in his heart
+there was the resolve that he would make an honest try to do for his
+father's sake what he would not for his own.
+
+But before a month had gone he was heartily sick of the office. It was
+indoors, and the petty fussing with trivial details irked him. Accuracy
+was a sine qua non of successful office work, and accuracy is either a
+thing of natural gift or is the result of long and painful discipline,
+and neither by nature nor by discipline had Jack come into the
+possession of this prime qualification for a successful office man. His
+ledger wellnigh brought tears to old Wickes' eyes and added a heavy load
+to his day's work. Not that old Wickes grudged the extra burden, much
+less made any complaint; rather did he count it joy to be able to cover
+from other eyes than his own the errors that were inevitably to be found
+in Jack's daily work.
+
+Had it seemed worth while, Jack would have disciplined himself to
+accuracy. But what was the end of it all? A larger plant with more
+machines to buy and more men to work them and to be overseen and to be
+paid, a few more figures in a Bank Book--what else? Jack's tastes were
+simple. He despised the ostentation of wealth in the accumulation of
+mere things. He had only pity for the plunger and for the loose liver
+contempt. Why should he tie himself to a desk, a well appointed desk it
+is true, but still a desk, in a four-walled room, a much finer room than
+his father had ever known, but a room which became to him a cage.
+Why? Of course, there was his father--and Jack wearily turned to his
+correspondence basket, sick of the sight of paper and letter heads and
+cost forms and production reports. For his father's sake, who had only
+him, he would carry on. And carry on he did, doggedly, wearily, bored to
+death, but sticking it. The reports from the works were often ominous.
+Things were not going well. There was an undercurrent of unrest among
+the men.
+
+"I don't wonder at it," said Jack to old Wickes one day, when the
+bookkeeper set before him the week's pay sheet and production sheet,
+side by side. "After all, why should the poor devils work for us?"
+
+"For us, sir?" said the shocked Wickes. "For themselves, surely. What
+would they do for a living if there was no work?"
+
+"That's just it, Wickes. They get a living--is it worth while?"
+
+"But, sir," gasped the old man, "they must live, and--"
+
+"Why must they?"
+
+"Because they want to! Wait till you see 'em sick, sir. My word! They do
+make haste for the Doctor."
+
+"I fancy they do, Wickes. But all the same, I don't wonder that they
+grouch a bit."
+
+"'Tis not the grumbling, sir, I deplore," said Wickes, "if they would
+only work, or let the machines work. That's the trouble, sir. Why, sir,
+when I came to your father, sir, we never looked at the clock, we kept
+our minds on the work."
+
+"How long ago, Wickes?"
+
+"Thirty-one years, sir, come next Michaelmas. And glad I was to get the
+job, too. You see, sir, I had just come to the country, and with the
+missus and a couple of kids--"
+
+"Thirty-one years! Great Caesar! And you've worked at this desk for
+thirty-one years! And what have you got out of it?"
+
+"Well, sir, not what you might call a terrible lot. I hadn't the
+eddication for much, as you might say--but--well, there's my little
+home, and we've lived happy there, the missus and me, and the kids--at
+least, till the war came." The old man paused abruptly.
+
+"You're right, Wickes, by Jove," exclaimed Jack, starting from his seat
+and gripping the old man's hand. "You have made a lot out of it--and you
+gave as fine a boy as ever stepped in uniform to your country. We were
+all proud of Stephen, every man of us."
+
+"I know that, sir, and he often wrote the wife about you, sir, which we
+don't forget, sir. Of course, it's hard on her and the boys--just coming
+up to be somethin' at the school."
+
+"By the way, Wickes, how are they doing? Two of them, aren't there?
+Let's see--there's Steve, he's the eldest--"
+
+"No, sir, he's the youngest, sir. Robert is the eldest--fourteen, and
+quite clever at his books. Pity he's got to quit just now."
+
+"Quit? Not a bit of it. We must see to that. And little Steve--how is
+the back?"
+
+"He's twelve. The back hurts a lot, but he is happy enough, if you give
+him a pencil. They're all with us now."
+
+"Ah, well, well. I think you have made something out of it after all,
+Wickes. And we must see about Robert."
+
+Thirty-one years at the desk! And to show for it a home for his wife and
+himself, a daughter in a home of her own, a son dead for his country,
+leaving behind him a wife and two lads to carry the name--was it worth
+while? Yes, by Jove, it was worth it all to be able to give a man like
+Stephen Wickes to his country. For Stephen Wickes was a fine stalwart
+lad, a good soldier, steady as a rock, with a patient, cheery courage
+that nothing could daunt or break. But for a man's self was it worth
+while?
+
+Jack had no thought of wife and family. There was Adrien. She had been a
+great pal before the war, but since his return she had seemed different.
+Everyone seemed different. The war had left many gaps, former pals had
+formed other ties, many had gone from the town. Even Adrien had drifted
+away from the old currents of life. She seemed to have taken up with
+young Stillwell, whom Jack couldn't abide. Stillwell had been turned
+down by the Recruiting Officer during the war--flat feet, or something.
+True, he had done great service in Red Cross, Patriotic Fund, Victory
+Loan work, and that sort of thing, and apparently stood high in the
+Community. His father had doubled the size of his store and had been a
+great force in all public war work. He had spared neither himself nor
+his son. The elder Stillwell, high up in the Provincial Political world,
+saw to it that his son was on all the big Provincial War Committees.
+Rupert had all the shrewd foresight and business ability of his father,
+which was saying a good deal. He began to assume the role of a promising
+young capitalist. The sources of his income no one knew--fortunate
+investments, people said. And his Hudson Six stood at the Rectory gate
+every day. Well, not even for Adrien would Jack have changed places with
+Rupert Stillwell. For Jack Maitland held the extreme and, in certain
+circles, unpopular creed that the citizen who came richer out of a war
+which had left his country submerged in debt, and which had drained away
+its best blood and left it poorer in its manhood by well-nigh seventy
+thousand of its noblest youth left upon the battlefields of the various
+war fronts and by the hundreds of thousands who would go through life
+a burden to themselves and to those to whom they should have been a
+support--that citizen was accursed. If Adrien chose to be a friend
+of such a man, by that choice she classified herself as impossible of
+friendship for Jack. It had hurt a bit. But what was one hurt more or
+less to one whom the war had left numb in heart and bereft of ambition?
+He was not going to pity himself. He was lucky indeed to have his body
+and nerve still sound and whole, but they need not expect him to show
+any great keenness in the chase for a few more thousands that would only
+rank him among those for whom the war had not done so badly. Meantime,
+for his father's sake, who, thank God, had given his best, his heart's
+best and the best of his brain and of his splendid business genius
+to his country, he would carry on, with no other reward than that of
+service rendered.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE HEATHEN QUEST
+
+
+They stood together by the open fire in the study, Jack and his father,
+alike in many ways yet producing effects very different. The younger man
+had the physical makeup of the older, though of a slighter mould.
+They had the same high, proud look of conscious strength, of cool
+fearlessness that nothing could fluster. But the soul that looked out of
+the grey eyes of the son was quite another from that which looked out of
+the deep blue eyes of the father--yet, after all, the difference may not
+have been in essence but only that the older man's soul had learned in
+life's experience to look out only through a veil.
+
+The soul of the youth was eager, adventurous, still believing, yet
+with a certain questioning and a touch of weariness, a result of the
+aftermath of peace following three years of war. There was still,
+however, the out-looking for far horizons, the outreaching imagination,
+the Heaven given expectation of the Infinite. In the older man's eye
+dwelt chiefly reserve. The veil was always there except when he found it
+wise and useful to draw it aside. If ever the inner light flamed
+forth it was when the man so chose. Self-mastery, shrewdness, power,
+knowledge, lay in the dark blue eyes, and all at the soul's command.
+
+But to-night as the father's eyes rested upon his son who stood gazing
+into and through the blazing fire there were to be seen only pride and
+wistful love. But as the son turned his eyes toward his father the veil
+fell and the eyes that answered were quiet, shrewd, keen and chiefly
+kind.
+
+The talk had passed beyond the commonplace of the day's doings. They
+were among the big things, the fateful thing--Life and Its Worth, Work
+and Its Wages, Creative Industry and Its Product, Capital and Its Price,
+Man and His Rights.
+
+They were frank with each other. The war had done that for them. For
+ever since the night when his eighteen-year-old boy had walked into his
+den and said, "Father, I am eighteen," and stood looking into his eyes
+and waiting for the word that came straight and unhesitating, "I know,
+boy, you are my son and you must go, for I cannot," ever since that
+night, which seemed now to belong to another age, these two had faced
+each other as men. Now they were talking about the young man's life
+work.
+
+"Frankly, I don't like it, Dad," said the son.
+
+"Easy to see that, Jack."
+
+"I'm really sorry. I'm afraid anyone can see it. But somehow I can't put
+much pep into it."
+
+"Why?" asked the father, with curt abruptness.
+
+"Why? Well, I hardly know. Somehow it hardly seems worth while. It is
+not the grind of the office, though that is considerable. I could stick
+that, but, after all, what's the use?"
+
+"What would you rather do, Jack?" enquired his father patiently, as if
+talking to a child. "You tried for the medical profession, you know,
+and--"
+
+"I know, I know, you are quite right about it. You may think it pure
+laziness. Maybe it is, but I hardly think so. Perhaps I went back to
+lectures too soon after the war. I was hardly fit, I guess, and the
+whole thing, the inside life, the infernal grind of lectures, the
+idiotic serious mummery of the youngsters, those blessed kids who should
+have been spanked by their mothers--the whole thing sickened me in three
+months. If I had waited perhaps I might have done better at the thing. I
+don't know--hard to tell." The boy paused, looking into the fire.
+
+"It was my fault, boy," said the father hastily. "I ought to have
+figured the thing out differently. But, you see, I had no knowledge of
+what you had gone through and of its effect upon you. I know better now.
+I thought that the harder you went into the work the better it would be
+for you. I made a mistake."
+
+"Well, you couldn't tell, Dad. How could you? But everything was so
+different when I came back. Mere kids were carrying on where we had
+been, and doing it well, too, by Jove, and we didn't seem to be needed."
+
+"Needed, boy?" The father's voice was thick.
+
+"Yes, but I didn't see that then. Selfish, I fear. Then, you know, home
+was not the same--"
+
+The older man choked back a groan and leaned hard against the mantel.
+
+"I know, Dad, I can see now I was selfish--"
+
+"Selfish? Don't say that, my lad. Selfish? After all you had gone
+through? No, I shall never apply that word to you, but you--you don't
+seem to realise--" The father hesitated a few moments, then, as if
+taking a plunge:
+
+"You don't realise just how big a thing--how big an investment there is
+in that business down there--." His hand swept toward the window through
+which could be seen the lights of that part of the town which clustered
+about the various mills and factories of which he was owner.
+
+"I know there is a lot, Dad, but how much I don't know."
+
+"There's $250,000 in plant alone, boy, but there's more than money, a
+lot more than money--" Then, after a pause, as if to himself, "A lot
+more than money--there's brain sweat and heart agony and prayers and
+tears--and, yes, life, boy, your mother's life and mine. We worked and
+saved and prayed and planned--"
+
+He stepped quickly toward the window, drew aside the curtain and pointed
+to a dark mass of headland beyond the twinkling lights.
+
+"You see the Bluff there. Fifty years ago I stood with my father on
+that Bluff and watched the logs come down the river to the sawmill--his
+sawmill, into which he had put his total capital, five hundred dollars.
+I remember well his words, 'My son, if you live out your life you will
+see on that flat a town where thousands of men and women will find homes
+and, please God, happiness.' Your mother and I watched that town grow
+for forty years, and we tried to make people happy--at least, if they
+were not it was no fault of hers. Of course, other hands have been at
+the work since then, but her hands and mine more than any other, and
+more than all others together were in it, and her heart, too, was in it
+all."
+
+The boy turned from the window and sat down heavily in a deep armchair,
+his hands covering his face. His heart was still sick with the ache
+that had smitten it that day in front of Amiens when the Colonel,
+his father's friend, had sent for him and read him the wire which had
+brought the terrible message of his mother's death. The long months of
+days and nights heavy with watching, toiling, praying, agonising, for
+her twin sons, and for the many boys who had gone out from the little
+town wore out her none too robust strength. Then, the sniper's bullet
+that had pierced the heart of her boy seemed to reach to her heart as
+well. After that, the home that once had been to its dwellers the most
+completely heart-satisfying spot in all the world became a place of
+dread, of haunting ghosts, of acutely poignant memories. They used the
+house for sleeping in and for eating in, but there was no living in it
+longer. To them it was a tomb, though neither would acknowledge it and
+each bore with it for the other's sake.
+
+"Honestly, Dad, I wish I could make it go, for your sake--"
+
+"For my sake, boy? Why, I have all of it I care for. Not for my sake.
+But what else can we do but stick it?"
+
+"I suppose so--but for Heaven's sake give me something worth a man's
+doing. If I could tackle a job such as you and"--the boy winced--"you
+and mother took on I believe I'd try it. But that office! Any fool could
+sit in my place and carry on. It is like the job they used to give to
+the crocks or the slackers at the base to do. Give me a man's job."
+
+The father's keen blue eyes looked his son over.
+
+"A man's job?" he said, with a grim smile, realising as his son did not
+how much of a man's job it was. "Suppose you learn this one as I did?"
+
+"What do you mean, Dad, exactly? How did you begin?"
+
+"I? At the tail of the saw."
+
+"All right, I'm game."
+
+"Boy, you are right--I believe in my soul you are right. You did a man's
+job 'out there' and you have it in you to do a man's job again."
+
+The son shrugged his shoulders. Next morning at seven they were down at
+the planing mill where men were doing men's work. He was at a man's job,
+at the tail of a saw, and drawing a man's pay, rubbing shoulders with
+men on equal terms, as he had in the trenches. And for the first time
+since Armistice Day, if not happy or satisfied, he was content to carry
+on.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+ANNETTE
+
+
+Sam Wigglesworth had finished with school, which is not quite the same
+as saying that he had finished his education. A number of causes had
+combined to bring this event to pass. First, Sam was beyond the age
+of compulsory attendance at the Public School, the School Register
+recording him as sixteen years old. Then, Sam's educational career had
+been anything but brilliant. Indeed, it might fairly be described as
+dull. All his life he had been behind his class, the biggest boy in his
+class, which fact might have been to Sam a constant cause of humiliation
+had he not held as of the slightest moment merely academic achievements.
+One unpleasant effect which this fact had upon Sam's moral quality was
+that it tended to make him a bully. He was physically the superior of
+all in his class, and this superiority he exerted for what he deemed the
+discipline of younger and weaker boys, who excelled him in intellectual
+attainment.
+
+Furthermore, Sam, while quite ready to enforce the code of discipline
+which he considered suitable to the smaller and weaker boys in his
+class, resented and resisted the attempts of constituted authority
+to enforce discipline in his own case, with the result that Sam's
+educational career was, after much long suffering, abruptly terminated
+by the action of the long-suffering head, Alex Day.
+
+"With great regret I must report," his letter to the School Board
+ran, "that in the case of Samuel Wigglesworth I have somehow failed to
+inculcate the elementary principles of obedience to school regulations
+and of adherence to truth in speech. I am free to acknowledge," went on
+the letter, "that the defect may be in myself as much as in the boy, but
+having failed in winning him to obedience and truth-telling, I feel
+that while I remain master of the school I must decline to allow the
+influence of this youth to continue in the school. A whole-hearted
+penitence for his many offences and an earnest purpose to reform
+would induce me to give him a further trial. In the absence of either
+penitence or purpose to reform I must regretfully advise expulsion."
+
+Joyfully the School Board, who had for months urged upon the reluctant
+head this action, acquiesced in the course suggested, and Samuel was
+forthwith expelled, to his own unmitigated relief but to his father's
+red and raging indignation at what he termed the "(h)ignorant
+persecution of their betters by these (h)insolent Colonials," for
+"'is son 'ad 'ad the advantages of schools of the 'ighest standin' in
+(H)England."
+
+Being expelled from school Sam forthwith was brought by his father
+to the office of the mills, where he himself was employed. There he
+introduced his son to the notice of Mr. Grant Maitland, with request for
+employment.
+
+The old man looked the boy over.
+
+"What has he been doing?"
+
+"Nothin'. 'E's just left school."
+
+"High School?"
+
+"Naw. Public School." Wigglesworth Sr.'s tone indicated no exalted
+opinion of the Public School.
+
+"Public School! What grade, eh?"
+
+"Grade? I dinnaw. Wot grade, Samuel? Come, speak (h)up, cawn't yeh?"
+
+"Uh?" Sam's mental faculties had been occupied in observing the
+activities and guessing the probable fate of a lumber-jack gaily decked
+in scarlet sash and blue overalls, who was the central figure upon a
+flaming calendar tacked up behind Mr. Maitland's desk, setting forth
+the commercial advantages of trading with the Departmental Stores of
+Stillwell & Son.
+
+"Wot grade in school, the boss is (h)askin'," said his father sharply.
+
+"Grade?" enquired Sam, returning to the commonplace of the moment.
+
+"Yes, what grade in the Public School were you in when you left?" The
+blue eyes of the boss was "borin' 'oles" through Sam and the voice
+pierced like a "bleedin' gimblet," as Wigglesworth, Sr., reported to his
+spouse that afternoon.
+
+Sam hesitated a bare second. "Fourth grade it was," he said with sullen
+reluctance.
+
+"'Adn't no chance, Samuel 'adn't. Been a delicate child ever since 'is
+mother stopped suckin' 'im," explained the father with a sympathetic
+shake of his head.
+
+The cold blue eye appraised the boy's hulking mass.
+
+"'E don't look it," continued Mr. Wigglesworth, noting the keen glance,
+"but 'e's never been (h)able to bide steady at the school. (H)It's 'is
+brain, sir."
+
+"His--ah--brain?" Again the blue eyes appraised the boy, this time
+scanning critically his face for indication of undue brain activity.
+
+"'Is brain, sir," earnestly reiterated the sympathetic parent. "'Watch
+that (h)infant's brain,' sez the Doctor to the missus when she put 'im
+on the bottle. And you know, we 'ave real doctors in (H)England, sir.
+'Watch 'is brain,' sez 'e, and, my word, the care 'is ma 'as took
+of that boy's brain is wunnerful, is fair beautiful, sir." Mr.
+Wigglesworth's voice grew tremulous at the remembrance of that maternal
+solicitude.
+
+"And was that why he left school?" enquired the boss.
+
+"Well, sir, not (h)exackly," said Mr. Wigglesworth, momentarily taken
+aback, "though w'en I comes to think on it that must a been at the
+bottom of it. You see, w'en Samuel went at 'is books of a night 'e'd no
+more than begin at a sum an' 'e'd say to 'is ma, 'My brain's a-whirlin',
+ma', just like that, and 'is ma would 'ave to pull 'is book away, just
+drag it away, you might say. Oh, 'e's 'ad a 'ard time, 'as Samuel." At
+this point the boss received a distinct shock, for, as his eyes were
+resting upon Samuel's face meditatively while he listened somewhat
+apathetically, it must be confessed, to the father's moving tale, the
+eye of the boy remote from the father closed in a slow but significant
+wink.
+
+The boss sat up, galvanised into alert attention. "Eh? What?" he
+exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, sir, 'e's caused 'is ma many a (h)anxious hour, 'as Samuel." Again
+the eye closed in a slow and solemn wink. "And we thought, 'is ma and
+me, that we would like to get Samuel into some easy job--"
+
+"An easy job, eh?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Something in the office, 'ere."
+
+"But his brain, you say, would not let him study his books."
+
+"Oh, it was them sums, sir, an' the Jography and the 'Istory an' the
+Composition, an', an'--wot else, Samuel? You see, these 'ere schools
+ain't a bit like the schools at 'ome, sir. They're so confusing with
+their subjecks. Wot I say is, why not stick to real (h)eddication,
+without the fiddle faddles?"
+
+"So you want an easy job for your son, eh?" enquired Mr. Maitland.
+
+"Boy," he said sharply to Samuel, whose eyes had again become fixed upon
+the gay and daring lumber-jack. Samuel recalled himself with visible
+effort. "Why did you leave school? The truth, mind." The "borin'" eyes
+were at their work.
+
+"Fired!" said Sam promptly.
+
+Mr. Wigglesworth began a sputtering explanation.
+
+"That will do, Wigglesworth," said Mr. Maitland, holding up his hand.
+"Sam, you come and see me tomorrow here at eight. Do you understand?"
+
+Sam nodded. After they had departed there came through the closed
+office door the sound of Mr. Wigglesworth's voice lifted in violent
+declamation, but from Sam no answering sound could be heard.
+
+The school suffered no noticeable loss in the intellectual quality of
+its activities by the removal of the whirling brain and incidentally
+its physical integument of Samuel Wigglesworth. To the smaller boys the
+absence of Sam brought unbounded joy, more especially during the
+hours of recess from study and on their homeward way from school after
+dismissal.
+
+More than any other, little Steve Wickes rejoiced in Sam's departure
+from school. Owing to some mysterious arrangement of Sam's brain cells
+he seemed to possess an abnormal interest in observing the sufferings
+of any animal. The squirming of an unfortunate fly upon a pin fascinated
+him, the sight of a wretched dog driven mad with terror rushing
+frantically down a street, with a tin can dangling to its tail,
+convulsed him with shrieking delight. The more highly organised the
+suffering animal, the keener was Sam's joy. A child, for instance,
+flying in a paroxysm of fear from Sam's hideously contorted face
+furnished acute satisfaction. It fell naturally enough that little
+Steve Wickes, the timid, shrinking, humpbacked son of the dead soldier,
+Stephen Wickes, afforded Sam many opportunities of rare pleasure. It
+was Sam that coined and, with the aid of his sycophantic following
+never wanting to a bully, fastened to the child the nickname of "Humpy
+Wicksy," working thereby writhing agony in the lad's highly sensitive
+soul. But Sam did not stay his hand at the infliction of merely mental
+anguish. It was one of his favorite forms of sport to seize the child by
+the collar and breeches and, swinging him high over head, hold him there
+in an anguish of suspense, awaiting the threatened drop. It is to be
+confessed that Sam was not entirely without provocation at the hands
+of little Steve, for the lad had a truly uncanny cunning hidden in
+his pencil, by means of which Sam was held up in caricature to the
+surreptitious joy of his schoolmates. Sam's departure from school
+deprived him of the full opportunity he formerly enjoyed of indulging
+himself in his favourite sport. On this account he took the more eager
+advantage of any opportunity that offered still to gratify his taste in
+this direction.
+
+Sauntering sullenly homeward from his interview with the boss and with
+his temper rasped to a raw edge by his father's wrathful comments upon
+his "dommed waggin' tongue," he welcomed with quite unusual eagerness
+the opportunity for indulging himself in his pastime of baiting Humpy
+Wicksy whom he overtook on his way home from school during the noon
+intermission.
+
+"Hello, Humpy," he roared at the lad.
+
+Like a frightened rabbit Steve scurried down a lane, Sam whooping after
+him.
+
+"Come back, you little beast. Do you hear me? I'll learn you to come
+when you're called," he shouted, catching the terrified lad and heaving
+him aloft in his usual double-handed grip.
+
+"Let me down, you! Leave me alone now," shrieked the boy, squirming,
+scratching, biting like an infuriated cat.
+
+"Bite, would you?" said Sam, flinging the boy down. "Now then," catching
+him by the legs and turning him over on his stomach, "we'll make a
+wheelbarrow of you. Gee up, Buck! Want a ride, boys?" he shouted to his
+admiring gallery of toadies. "All aboard!"
+
+While the unhappy Steve, shrieking prayers and curses, was struggling
+vainly to extricate himself from the hands gripping his ankles, Annette
+Perrotte, stepping smartly along the street on her way from the box
+factory, came past the entrance to the lane. By her side strode a
+broad-shouldered, upstanding youth. Arrested by Steve's outcries and
+curses she paused.
+
+"What are those boys at, I wonder?" she said. "There's that big lout of
+a Wigglesworth boy. He's up to no good, I bet you."
+
+"Oh, a kids' row of some kind or ither, a doot," said the youth. "Come
+along."
+
+"He's hurting someone," said Annette, starting down the lane. "What? I
+believe it's that poor child, Steve Wickes." Like a wrathful fury she
+dashed in upon Sam and his company of tormentors and, knocking the
+little ones right and left, she sprang upon Sam with a fierce cry.
+
+"You great brute!" She seized him by his thatch of thick red hair and
+with one mighty swing she hurled him clear of Steve and dashed him head
+on against the lane fence. Sheer surprise held Sam silent for a few
+seconds, but as he felt the trickle of warm blood run down his face and
+saw it red upon his hand, his surprise gave place to terror.
+
+"Ouw! Ouw!" he bellowed. "I'm killed, I'm dying. Ouw! Ouw!"
+
+"I hope so," said Annette, holding Steve in her arms and seeking to
+quiet his sobbing. But as she saw the streaming blood her face paled.
+
+"For the love of Mike, Mack, see if he's hurt," she said in a low voice
+to her companion.
+
+"Not he! He's makin' too much noise," said the young man. "Here, you
+young bull, wait till I see what's wrang wi' ye," he continued, stooping
+over Sam.
+
+"Get away from me, I tell you. Ouw! Ouw! I'm dying, and they'll hang
+her. Ouw! Ouw! I'm killed, and I'm just glad I am, for she'll be hung to
+death." Here Sam broke into a vigorous stream of profanity.
+
+"Ay, he's improvin' A doot," said Mack. "Let us be going."
+
+"'Ello! Wot's (h)up?" cried a voice. It was Mr. Wigglesworth on his way
+home from the mill. "Why, bless my living lights, if it bean't Samuel.
+Who's been a beatin' of you, Sammy?" His eye swept the crowd. "'Ave you
+been at my lad?" he asked, stepping toward the young man, whom Annette
+named Mack.
+
+"Aw, steady up, man. There's naethin' much wrang wi' the lad--a wee
+scratch on the heid frae fa'in' against the fence yonder."
+
+"Who 'it 'im, I say?" shouted Mr. Wigglesworth. "Was it you?" he added,
+squaring up to the young man.
+
+"No, it wasn't, Mr. Wigglesworth. It was me." Mr. Wigglesworth turned
+on Annette who, now that Sam's bellowing had much abated with the
+appearance of his father upon the scene, had somewhat regained her
+nerve.
+
+"You?" gasped Mr. Wigglesworth. "You? My Samuel? It's a lie," he cried.
+
+"Hey, mon, guairrd y're tongue a bit," said Mack. "Mind ye're speakin'
+to a leddy."
+
+"A lidy! A lidy!" Mr. Wigglesworth's voice was eloquent of scorn.
+
+"Aye, a leddy!" said Mack. "An' mind what ye say aboot her tae. Mind
+y're manners, man."
+
+"My manners, hey? An' 'oo may you be, to learn me manners, you bloomin'
+(h)ignorant Scotch (h)ass. You give me (h)any of your (h)imperance an'
+I'll knock y're bloomin' block (h)off, I will." And Mr. Wigglesworth,
+throwing himself into the approved pugilistic attitude, began dancing
+about the young Scot.
+
+"Hoot, mon, awa' hame wi' ye. Tak' yon young tyke wi' ye an' gie him a
+bit wash, he's needin' it," said Mack, smiling pleasantly at the excited
+and belligerent Mr. Wigglesworth.
+
+At this point Captain Jack, slowly motoring by the lane mouth, turned
+his machine to the curb and leaped out.
+
+"What's the row here?" he asked, making his way through the considerable
+crowd that had gathered. "What's the trouble, Wigglesworth?"
+
+"They're knockin' my boy abaht, so they be," exclaimed Mr. Wigglesworth.
+"But," with growing and righteous wrath, "they'll find (h)out that,
+wotsomever they do to a kid, w'en they come (h)up agin Joe Wigglesworth
+they've struck somethin' 'ard--'ard, d'ye 'ear? 'Ard!" And Mr.
+Wigglesworth made a pass at the young Scot.
+
+"Hold on, Wigglesworth," said Captain Jack quietly, catching his arm.
+"Were you beating up this kid?" he asked, turning to the young man.
+
+"Nae buddie's beatin' up the lad," said Mack quietly.
+
+"It was me," said the girl, turning a defiant face to Captain Jack.
+
+"You? Why! great Scot! Blest if it isn't Annette."
+
+"Yes, it's me," said the girl, her face a flame of colour.
+
+"By Jove, you've grown up, haven't you? And it was you that--"
+
+"Yes, that big brute was abusing Steve here."
+
+"What? Little Steve Wickes?"
+
+"He was, and I pitched him into the fence. He hit his head and cut it, I
+guess. I didn't mean--"
+
+"Served him right enough, too, I fancy," said Captain Jack.
+
+"I'll 'ave the law on the lot o' ye, I will. I'm a poor workin' man,
+but I've got my rights, an' if there's a justice in this Gawd forsaken
+country I'll 'ave protection for my family." And Mr. Wigglesworth,
+working up a fury, backed off down the lane.
+
+"Don't fear, Wigglesworth, you'll get all the justice you want. Perhaps
+Sam will tell us--Hello! Where is Sam?"
+
+But Sam had vanished. He had no mind for an investigation in the
+presence of Captain Jack.
+
+"Well, well, he can't be much injured, I guess. Meantime, can I give you
+a lift, Annette?"
+
+"No, thank you," said the girl, the colour in her cheeks matching the
+crimson ribbon at her throat. "I'm just going home. It's only a little
+way. I don't--"
+
+"The young leddy is with me, sir," said the young Scotchman quietly.
+
+"Oh, she is, eh?" said Captain Jack, looking him over. "Ah, well,
+then--Good-bye, Annette, for the present." He held out his hand. "We
+must renew our old acquaintance, eh?"
+
+"Thank you, sir," said the girl.
+
+"'Sir?' Rot! You aren't going to 'sir' me, Annette, after all the fun
+and the fights we had in the old days. Not much. We're going to be good
+chums again, eh? What do you say?"
+
+"I don't know," said Annette, flashing a swift glance into Captain
+Jack's admiring eyes. "It depends on--"
+
+"On me?"
+
+"I didn't say so." Her head went up a bit.
+
+"On you?"
+
+"I didn't say so."
+
+"Well, let it go. But we will be pals again, Annette, I vow. Good-bye."
+Captain Jack lifted his hat and moved away.
+
+As he reached his car he ran up against young Rupert Stillwell.
+
+"Deucedly pretty Annette has grown, eh?" said Stillwell.
+
+"Annette's all right," said Jack, rather brusquely, entering his car.
+
+"Working in your box factory, I understand, eh?"
+
+"Don't really know," said Jack carelessly. "Probably."
+
+The crowd had meantime faded away with Captain Jack's going.
+
+"Did na know the Captain was a friend of yours, Annette," said Mack,
+falling into step beside her.
+
+"No--yes--I don't know. We went to Public School together before the
+war. I was a kid then." Her manner was abstracted and her eyes were
+far away. Mack walked gloomily by her on one side, little Steve on the
+other.
+
+"Huh! He's no your sort, A doot," he said sullenly.
+
+"What do you say?" cried Annette, returning from her abstraction. "What
+do you mean, 'my sort'?" Her head went high and her eyes flashed.
+
+"He would na look at ye, for ony guid."
+
+"He did look at me though," replied Annette, tossing her head.
+
+"No for ony guid!" repeated Mack, stubbornly.
+
+Annette stopped in her tracks, a burning red on her cheeks and a
+dangerous light in her black eyes.
+
+"Mr. McNish, that's your road," she said, pointing over his shoulder.
+
+"A'll tak it tae," said McNish, wheeling on his heel, "an' ye can hae
+your Captain for me."
+
+With never a look at him Annette took her way home.
+
+"Good-bye, Steve," she said, stooping and kissing the boy. "This is your
+corner."
+
+"Annette," he said, with a quick, shy look up into her face, "I like
+Captain Jack, don't you?"
+
+"No," she said hurriedly. "I mean yes, of course."
+
+"And I like you too," said the boy, with an adoring look in his deep
+eyes, "better'n anyone in the world."
+
+"Do you, Steve? I'm glad." Again she stooped swiftly and kissed him.
+"Now run home."
+
+She hurried home, passed into her room without a word to anyone. Slowly
+she removed her hat, then turning to her glass she gazed at her flushed
+face for a few moments. A little smile curved her lips. "He did look at
+me anyway," she whispered to the face that looked out at her, "he did,
+he did," she repeated. Then swiftly she covered her eyes. When she
+looked again she saw a face white and drawn. "He would na look at ye."
+The words smote her with a chill. Drearily she turned away and went out.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE RECTORY
+
+
+The Rectory was one of the very oldest of the more substantial of
+Blackwater's dwellings. Built of grey limestone from the local quarries,
+its solid square mass relieved by its quaint dormer windows was softened
+from its primal ugliness by the Boston ivy that had clambered to the
+eaves and lay draped about the windows like a soft green mantle. Built
+in the early days, it stood with the little church, a gem of Gothic
+architecture, within spacious grounds bought when land was cheap. Behind
+the house stood the stable, built also of grey limestone, and at one
+side a cherry and apple orchard formed a charming background to the grey
+buildings with their crowding shrubbery and gardens. A gravelled winding
+drive led from the street through towering elms, a picturesque remnant
+from the original forest, to the front door and round the house to the
+stable yard behind. From the driveway a gravelled footpath led through
+the shrubbery and flower garden by a wicket gate to the Church. When
+first built the Rectory stood in dignified seclusion on the edge of the
+village, but the prosperity of the growing town demanding space for its
+inhabitants had driven its streets far beyond the Rectory demesne on
+every side, till now it stood, a green oasis of sheltered loveliness,
+amid a crowding mass of modern brick dwellings, comfortable enough but
+arid of beauty and suggestive only of the utilitarian demands of a busy
+manufacturing town.
+
+For nearly a quarter of a century the Rev. Herbert Aveling Templeton,
+D.D., LL.D., for whom the Rectory had been built, had ministered in
+holy things to the Parish of St. Alban's and had exercised a guiding and
+paternal care over the social and religious well-being of the community.
+The younger son of one of England's noble families, educated in an
+English Public School and University, he represented, in the life of
+this new, thriving, bustling town, the traditions and manners of an
+English gentleman of the Old School. Still in his early sixties, he
+carried his years with all the vigour of a man twenty years his junior.
+As he daily took his morning walk for his mail, stepping with the brisk
+pace of one whose poise the years had not been able to disturb, yet
+with the stately bearing consistent with the dignity attaching to
+his position and office, men's eyes followed the tall, handsome,
+white-haired, well set up gentleman always with admiration and, where
+knowledge was intimate, with reverence and affection. Before the recent
+rapid growth of the town consequent upon the establishment of various
+manufacturing industries attracted thither by the unique railroad
+facilities, the Rector's walk was something in the nature of public
+perambulatory reception. For he knew them all, and for all had a word
+of greeting, of enquiry, of cheer, of admonition, so that by the time
+he had returned to his home he might have been said to have conducted a
+pastoral visitation of a considerable proportion of his flock. Even yet,
+with the changes that had taken place, his walk to the Post Office was
+punctuated with greetings and salutations from his fellow-citizens in
+whose hearts his twenty-five years of devotion to their well-being,
+spiritual and physical, had made for him an enduring place.
+
+The lady of the Rectory, though some twenty years his junior, yet, by
+reason of delicate health due largely to the double burden of household
+cares and parish duties, appeared to be quite of equal age. Gentle in
+spirit, frail in body, there seemed to be in her soul something of the
+quality of tempered steel, yet withal a strain of worldly wisdom
+mingled with a strange ignorance of the affairs of modern life. Her life
+revolved around one centre, her adored husband, a centre enlarged as
+time went on to include her only son and her two daughters. All others
+and all else in her world were of interest solely as they might be more
+or less closely related to these, the members of her family. The town
+and the town folk she knew solely as her husband's parish. There were
+other people and other communions, no doubt, but being beyond the pale
+they could hardly be supposed to matter, or, at any rate, she could not
+be supposed to regard them with more than the interest and spasmodic
+concern which she felt it her duty to bestow upon those unfortunate
+dwellers in partibus infidelium.
+
+Regarding the Public School of the town with aversion because of its
+woefully democratic character, she was weaned from her hostility to that
+institution when her son's name was entered upon its roll. Her eldest
+daughter, indeed, she sent as a girl of fourteen to an exclusive English
+school, the expense of which was borne by her husband's eldest brother,
+Sir Arthur Templeton, for she held the opinion that while for a boy
+the Public School was an excellent institution with a girl it was
+quite different. Hence, while her eldest daughter went "Home" for her
+education, her boy went to the Blackwater Public and High Schools, which
+institutions became henceforth invested with the highest qualifications
+as centres of education. Her boy's friends were her friends, and to them
+her house was open at all hours of day or night. Indeed, it became
+the governing idea in her domestic policy that her house should be the
+rallying centre for everything that was related in any degree to her
+children's life. Hence, she quietly but effectively limited the circle
+of the children's friends to those who were able and were willing to
+make the Rectory their social centre. She saw to it that for Herbert's
+intimate boy friends the big play room at the top of the house, once a
+bare and empty room and later the large and comfortable family living
+room, became the place of meeting for all their social and athletic
+club activities. With unsleeping vigilance she stood on guard against
+anything that might break that circle of her heart's devotion. The
+circle might be, indeed must be enlarged, as for instance to take in the
+Maitland boys, Herbert's closest chums. She was wise enough to see the
+wisdom of that, but nothing on earth would she allow to filch from her a
+single unit of the priceless treasures of her heart.
+
+To this law of her life she made one glorious, one splendid exception.
+When her country called, she, after weeks of silent, fierce, lonely,
+agonised struggle gave up her boy and sent him with voiceless, tearless
+pride to the War.
+
+But, when the boy's Colonel wrote in terms of affectionate pride of
+her boy's glorious passing, with new and strange adaptability her heart
+circle was extended to include her boy's comrades in war and those who
+like herself had sent them forth. Thenceforth every khaki covered lad
+was to her a son, and every soldier's mother a friend.
+
+As her own immediate home circle grew smaller, the intensity of her
+devotion increased. Her two daughters became her absorbing concern. With
+the modern notion that a girl might make for herself a career in life
+she had no sympathy whatever. To see them happily married and in homes
+of their own became the absorbing ambition of her life. To this end
+she administered her social activities, with this purpose in view she
+encouraged or discouraged her daughters' friendships with men. With the
+worldly wisdom of which she had her own share she came to the conclusion
+that ineligible men friends, that is, men friends unable to give her
+daughters a proper setting in the social world, were to be effectively
+eliminated. That the men of her daughters' choosing should be gentlemen
+in breeding went without saying, but that they should be sufficiently
+endowed with wealth to support a proper social position was equally
+essential.
+
+That Jack Maitland had somehow dropped out of the intimate circle of
+friends who had in pre-war days made the Rectory their headquarters was
+to her a more bitter disappointment than she cared to acknowledge even
+to herself. Her son and the two Maitland boys had been inseparable in
+their school and college days, and with the two young men her daughters
+had been associated in the very closest terms of comradeship. But
+somehow Captain Jack Maitland after the first months succeeding his
+return from the war had drawn apart. Disappointed, perplexed, hurt, she
+vainly had striven to restore the old footing between the young man and
+her daughters. Young Maitland had taken up his medical studies for a
+few months at his old University in Toronto and so had been out of touch
+with the social life of his home town. Then after he had "chucked" his
+course as impossible he had at his father's earnest wish taken up
+work at the mills, at first in the office, later in the manufacturing
+department. There was something queer in Jack's attitude toward his old
+life and its associations, and after her first failures in attempting
+to restore the old relationship her eldest daughter's pride and then her
+own forbade further efforts.
+
+Adrien, her eldest daughter, had always been a difficult child, and her
+stay in England and later her experience in war work in France where for
+three years she had given rare service in hospital work had somehow made
+her even more inaccessible to her mother. And now the situation had been
+rendered more distressing by her determination "to find something to
+do." She was firm in her resolve that she had no intention of patiently
+waiting in her home, ostensibly busying herself with social duties but
+in reality "waiting if not actually angling for a man." She bluntly
+informed her scandalised parent that "when she wanted a man more than
+a career it would be far less humiliating to frankly go out and get
+him than to practise alluring poses in the hopes that he might deign to
+bestow upon her his lordly regard." Her mother wisely forebore to argue.
+Indeed, she had long since learned that in argumentive powers she was
+hopelessly outclassed by her intellectual daughter. She could only
+express her shocked disappointment at such intentions and quietly plan
+to circumvent them.
+
+As to Patricia, her younger daughter, she dismissed all concern. She was
+only a child as yet, wise beyond her years, but too thoroughly immature
+to cause any anxiety for some years to come. Meantime she had at first
+tolerated and then gently encouraged the eager and obvious anxiety of
+Rupert Stillwell to make a footing for himself in the Rectory family.
+At the outbreak of the war her antipathy to young Stillwell as a slacker
+had been violent. He had not joined up with the first band of ardent
+young souls who had so eagerly pointed the path to duty and to glory.
+But, when it had been made clear to the public mind that young Stillwell
+had been pronounced physically unfit for service and was therefore
+prevented from taking his place in that Canadian line which though it
+might wear thin at times had never broken, Mrs. Templeton relieved him
+in her mind of the damning count of being a slacker. Later, becoming
+impressed with the enthusiasm of the young man's devotion to various
+forms of patriotic war service at home, she finally, though it must be
+confessed with something of an effort, had granted him a place within
+the circle of her home. Furthermore, Rupert Stillwell had done extremely
+well in all his business enterprises and had come to be recognised as
+one of the coming young men of the district, indeed of the Province,
+with sure prospects of advancement in public estimation. Hence, the
+frequency with which Stillwell's big Hudson Six could be seen parked on
+the gravelled drive before the Rectory front door. In addition to this,
+Rupert and his Hudson Six were found to be most useful. He had abundance
+of free time and he was charmingly ready with his offers of service. Any
+hour of the day the car, driven by himself or his chauffeur, was at the
+disposal of any member of the Rectory family, a courtesy of which Mrs.
+Templeton was not unwilling to avail herself though never with any
+loss of dignity but always with appearance of bestowing rather than
+of receiving a favour. As to the young ladies, Adrien rarely allowed
+herself the delight of a motor ride in Rupert Stillwell's luxurious car.
+On the other hand, had her mother not intervened, Patricia would have
+indulged without scruple her passion for joy-riding. The car she adored,
+Rupert Stillwell she regarded simply as a means to the indulgence of her
+adoration. He was a jolly companion, a cleverly humourous talker, and an
+unfailing purveyor of bon-bons. Hence he was to Patricia an ever welcome
+guest at the Rectory, and the warmth of Patricia's welcome went a long
+way to establish his position of intimacy in the family.
+
+It was not to be supposed, however, that that young lady's gracious
+and indeed eager acceptance of the manifold courtesies of the young
+gentleman in question burdened her in the very slightest with any sense
+of obligation to anything but the most cavalier treatment of him, should
+occasion demand. She was unhesitatingly frank and ready with criticism
+and challenge of his opinions, indeed he appeared to possess a fatal
+facility for championing her special aversions and antagonising her
+enthusiasms. Of the latter her most avowed example was Captain Jack, as
+she loved to call him. A word of criticism of Captain Jack, her hero,
+her knight, sans peur et sans reproche and her loyal soul was aflame
+with passionate resentment.
+
+It so fell on an occasion when young Stillwell was a dinner guest at the
+Rectory.
+
+"Do you know, Patricia," and Rupert Stillwell looked across the dinner
+table teasingly into Patricia's face, "your Captain Jack was rather
+mixed up in a nice little row to-day?"
+
+"I heard all about it, Rupert, and Captain Jack did just what I would
+have expected him to do." Patricia's unsmiling eyes looked steadily into
+the young man's smiling face.
+
+"Rescued a charming young damsel, eh? By the way, that Perrotte girl has
+turned out uncommonly good looking," continued Rupert, addressing the
+elder sister.
+
+"Rescuing a poor little ill-treated boy from the hands of a brutal
+bully and the bully's brutal father--" Patricia's voice was coolly
+belligerent.
+
+"My dear Patricia!" The mother's voice was deprecatingly pacific.
+
+"It is simply true, Mother, and Rupert knows it quite well too, or--"
+
+"Patricia!" Her father's quiet voice arrested his daughter's flow of
+speech.
+
+"But, Father, everyone--"
+
+"Patricia!" The voice was just as quiet but with a slightly increased
+distinctness in enunciation, and glancing swiftly at her father's face
+Patricia recognised that the limits of her speech had been reached,
+unless she preferred to change the subject.
+
+"Yes, Annette has grown very pretty, indeed," said Adrien, taking up
+the conversation, "and is really a very nice girl, indeed. She sings
+beautifully. She is the leading soprano in her church choir, I believe."
+
+"Captain Jack Maitland appeared to think her quite charming," said
+Rupert, making eyes at Patricia. Patricia's lips tightened and her eyes
+gleamed a bit.
+
+"They were in school together, I think, were they not, Mamma?" said
+Adrien, flushing slightly.
+
+"Of course they were, and so was Rupert, too--" said Patricia with
+impatient scorn, "and so would you if you hadn't been sent to England,"
+she added to her sister.
+
+"No doubt of it," said Rupert with a smile, "but you see she was
+fortunate enough to be sent to England."
+
+"Blackwater is good enough for me," said Patricia, a certain stubborn
+hostility in her tone.
+
+"I have always thought the Blackwater High School an excellent
+institution," said her mother quickly, "especially for boys."
+
+"Yes, indeed, for boys," replied Stillwell, "but for young ladies--well,
+there is something in an English school, you know, that you can't get in
+any High School here in Canada."
+
+"Rot!" ejaculated Patricia.
+
+"My dear Patricia!" The mother was quite shocked.
+
+"Pardon me, Mother, but you know we have a perfectly splendid High
+School here. Father has often said so."
+
+Her mother sighed. "Yes, for boys. But for girls, I feel with Rupert
+that you get something in English schools that--" She hesitated, looking
+uncertainly at her elder daughter.
+
+"Yes, and perhaps lose something, Mamma," said Adrien quietly. "I mean,"
+she added hastily, "you lose touch with a lot of things and people,
+friends. Now, for instance, you remember when we were all children,
+boys and girls together, at the Public School, Annette was one of the
+cleverest and best of the lot of us, I used to be fond of her--and the
+others. Now--"
+
+"But you can't help growing up," said Rupert, "and--well, democracy is
+all right and that sort of thing, but you must drift into your class you
+know. There's Annette, for instance. She is a factory hand, a fine girl
+of course, and all that, but--"
+
+"Oh, I suppose we must recognise facts. Rupert, you are quite right,"
+said Mrs. Templeton, "there must be social distinctions and there are
+classes. I mean," she added, as if to forestall the outburst she saw
+gathering behind her younger daughter's closed lips, "we must inevitably
+draw to our own set by our natural or acquired tastes and by our
+traditions and breeding."
+
+"All very well in England, Mamma. I suppose dear Uncle Arthur and our
+dear cousins would hardly feel called upon to recognise Annette as a
+friend."
+
+"Why should they?" challenged Rupert.
+
+"My dear Patricia," said her father, mildly patient, "you are quite
+wrong. Our people at home, your uncle Arthur, I mean, and your cousins,
+and all well-bred folk, do not allow class distinctions to limit
+friendship. Friends are chosen on purely personal grounds of real worth
+and--well, congeniality."
+
+"Would Uncle Arthur, or rather, Aunt Alicia have Annette to dinner, for
+instance?" demanded Patricia.
+
+"Certainly not," said her mother promptly.
+
+"She would not do anything to embarrass Annette," said her father.
+
+"Oh, Dad, what a funk. That is quite unworthy of you."
+
+"Would she be asked here now to dinner?" said Rupert. "I mean," he added
+in some confusion, "would it be, ah, suitable? You know what I mean."
+
+"She has been here. Don't you remember, Mamma? She was often here. And
+every time she came she was the cleverest thing, she was the brightest,
+the most attractive girl in the bunch." Her mother's eyebrows went up.
+"In the party, I mean. And the most popular. Why, I remember quite well
+that Rupert was quite devoted to her."
+
+"A mere child, she was then, you know," said Rupert.
+
+"She is just as bright, just as attractive, as clever now, more so
+indeed, as fine a girl in every way. But of course she was not a factory
+girl then. That's what you mean," replied Patricia scornfully.
+
+"She has found her class," persisted Rupert. "She is all you say, but
+surely--"
+
+"Yes, she is working in the new box factory. Her mother, lazy, selfish
+thing, took her from the High School."
+
+"My dear Patricia, you are quite violent," protested her mother.
+
+"It's true, Mamma," continued the girl, her eyes agleam, "and now she
+works in the box factory while Captain Jack works in the planing mill.
+She is in the same class."
+
+"And good friends apparently," said Rupert with a malicious little grin.
+
+"Why not? We would have Captain Jack to dinner, but not Annette."
+
+Her father smiled at her. "Well done, little girl. Annette is a fine
+girl and is fortunate in her champion. You can have her to dinner any
+evening, I am quite sure."
+
+"Can we, Mamma?"
+
+"My dear, we will not discuss the matter any further," said her mother.
+"It is a very old question and very perplexing, I confess, but--"
+
+"We don't see Captain Jack very much since his return," said her father,
+turning the conversation. "You might begin with him, eh, Patsy?"
+
+"No," said the girl, a shade falling on her face. "He is always busy.
+He has such long hours. He works his day's work with the men and then he
+always goes up to the office to his father--and--and--Oh, I don't know,
+I wish he would come. He's not--" Patricia fell suddenly silent.
+
+"Jack is very much engaged," said her mother quietly.
+
+"Naturally he is tied up, learning the business, I mean," said the elder
+sister quietly. "He has little time for mere social frivolities and that
+sort of thing."
+
+"It's not that, Adrien," said Patricia. "He is different since he came
+back. I wish--" She paused abruptly.
+
+"He is changed," said her mother with a sigh. "They--the boys are all
+changed."
+
+"The war has left its mark upon them, and what else can we expect?" said
+Dr. Templeton. "One wonders how they can settle down at all to work."
+
+"Oh, Jack has settled down all right," said Patricia, as if analysing
+a subject interesting to herself alone. "Jack's not like a lot of them.
+He's too much settled down. What is it, I wonder? He seems to have quit
+everything, dancing, tennis, golf. He doesn't care--"
+
+"Doesn't care? What for? That sounds either as if he were an egotist or
+a slacker." Her sister's words rasped Patricia's most sensitive heart
+string. She visibly squirmed, eagerly waiting a chance to reply. "Jack
+is neither," continued Adrien slowly. "I understand the thing perfectly.
+He has been up against big things, so big that everything else seems
+trivial. Fancy a tennis tournament for a man that has stared into hell's
+mouth."
+
+"My dear, you are right," said her father. "Patricia is really talking
+too much. Young people should--"
+
+"I know, Daddy--'be seen,'" said the younger daughter, and grinning
+affectionately at him she blew him a kiss. "But, all the same, I wish
+Captain Jack were not so awfully busy or were a little more keen about
+things. He wants something to stir him up."
+
+"He may get that sooner than he thinks," said Stillwell, "or wishes. I
+hear there's likely to be trouble in the mills."
+
+"Trouble? Financial? I should be very sorry," said Dr. Templeton.
+
+"No. Labour. The whole labour world is in a ferment. The Maitlands can
+hardly expect to escape. As a matter of fact, the row has made a little
+start, I happen to know."
+
+"These labour troubles are really very distressing. There is no end to
+them," said Mrs. Templeton, with the resignation one shows in discussing
+the inscrutable ways of Providence. "It does seem as if the working
+classes to-day have got quite beyond all bounds. One wonders what they
+will demand next. What is the trouble now, Rupert? Of course--wages."
+
+"Oh, the eternal old trouble is there, with some new ones added that
+make even wages seem small."
+
+"And what are these?" enquired Dr. Templeton.
+
+"Oh, division of profits, share in administration and control."
+
+"Division of profits in addition to wages?" enquired Mrs. Templeton,
+aghast. "But, how dreadful. One would think they actually owned the
+factory."
+
+"That is the modern doctrine, I believe," said Rupert.
+
+"Surely that is an extreme statement," said Dr. Templeton, in a shocked
+voice, "or you are talking of the very radical element only."
+
+"The Rads lead, of course, but you would be surprised at the demands
+made to-day. Why, I heard a young chap last week, a soap-box artist,
+denouncing all capitalists as parasites. 'Why should we work for
+anyone but ourselves?' he was saying. 'Why don't we take charge of the
+factories and run them for the general good?' I assure you, sir, those
+were his very words."
+
+"Really, Rupert, you amaze me. In Blackwater here?" exclaimed Dr.
+Templeton.
+
+"But, my dear papa, that sort of thing is the commonplace of Hyde Park,
+you know," said Adrien, "and--"
+
+"Ah, Hyde Park, yes. I should expect that sort of thing from the Hyde
+Park orators. You get every sort of mad doctrine in Hyde Park, as I
+remember it, but--"
+
+"And I was going to say that that sort of thing has got away beyond
+Hyde Park. Why, papa dear, you have been so engrossed in your Higher
+Mathematics that you have failed to keep up with the times." His eldest
+daughter smiled at him and, reaching across the corner of the table,
+patted his hand affectionately. "We are away beyond being shocked at
+profit sharing, and even sharing in control of administration and that
+sort of thing."
+
+"But there remains justice, I hope," said her father, "and the right of
+ownership."
+
+"Ah, that's just it--what is ownership?"
+
+"Oh, come, Adrien," said Rupert, "you are not saying that Mr. Maitland
+doesn't own his factory and mill."
+
+"It depends on what you mean by own," said the girl coolly. "You must
+not take too much for granted."
+
+"Well, what my money pays for I own, I suppose," said Rupert.
+
+"Well," said Adrien, "that depends."
+
+"My dear Adrien," said her mother, "you have such strange notions.
+I suppose you got them in those Clubs in London and from those queer
+people you used to meet."
+
+"Very dear people," said Adrien, with a far away look in her eyes, "and
+people that loved justice and right."
+
+"All right, Ade," said her younger sister, with a saucy grin, "I agree
+entirely with your sentiments. I just adore that pale blue tie of yours.
+I suppose, now that what's yours is mine, I can preempt that when I
+like."
+
+"Let me catch you at it!"
+
+"Well done, Patricia. You see the theories are all right till we come to
+have them applied all round," said Rupert.
+
+"We were talking of joint ownership, Pat," said her sister, "the joint
+ownership of things to the making of which we have each contributed a
+part."
+
+"Exactly," said Rupert. "I guess Grant Maitland paid his own good money
+for his plant."
+
+"Yes," said Adrien.
+
+"Yes, and all he paid for he owns."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, that's all there is to it."
+
+"Oh, pardon me--there is a good deal more--"
+
+"Well, well, children, we shall not discuss the subject any further.
+Shall we all go up for coffee?"
+
+"These are very radical views you are advancing, Adrien," said her
+father, rising from his chair. "You must be careful not to say things
+like that in circles where you might be taken seriously."
+
+"Seriously, Daddy? I was never more serious in my life." She put her arm
+through her father's. "I must give you some books, some reports to read,
+I see," she said, laughing up into his face.
+
+"Evidently," said her father, "if I am to live with you."
+
+"I wonder what Captain Jack would think of these views," said Rupert,
+dropping into step with Patricia as they left the dining room together.
+
+"He will think as Adrien does," said Patricia stoutly.
+
+"Ah, I wouldn't be too sure about that," said Rupert. "You see, it makes
+a difference whose ox is being gored."
+
+"What do you mean?" cried Patricia hotly.
+
+"Never mind, Pat," said her sister over her shoulder. "I don't think he
+knows Captain Jack as we do."
+
+"Perhaps better," said Rupert in a significant tone.
+
+Patricia drew away from him.
+
+"I think you are just horrid," she said. "Captain Jack is--"
+
+"Never mind, dear. Don't let him pull your leg like that," said her
+sister, with a little colour in her cheek. "We know Captain Jack, don't
+we?"
+
+"We do!" said Patricia with enthusiasm.
+
+"We do!" echoed Rupert, with a smile that drove Pat into a fury.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
+
+
+There was trouble at the Maitland Mills. For the first time in his
+history Grant Maitland found his men look askance at him. For the first
+time in his life he found himself viewing with suspicion the workers
+whom he had always taken a pride in designating "my men." The situation
+was at once galling to his pride and shocking to his sense of fair play.
+His men were his comrades in work. He knew them--at least, until these
+war days he had known them--personally, as friends. They trusted him and
+were loyal to him, and he had taken the greatest care to deal justly
+and more than justly by them. No labour troubles had ever disturbed the
+relations which existed between him and his men. It was thus no small
+shock when Wickes announced one day that a Grievance Committee wished to
+interview him. That he should have to meet a Grievance Committee, whose
+boast it had been that the first man in the works to know of a grievance
+was himself, and that the men with whom he had toiled and shared both
+good fortune and ill, but more especially the good, that had befallen
+through the last quarter century should have a grievance against
+him--this was indeed an experience that cut him to the heart and roused
+in him a fury of perplexed indignation.
+
+"A what? A Grievance Committee!" he exclaimed to Wickes, when the old
+bookkeeper came announcing such a deputation.
+
+"That's what they call themselves, sir," said Wickes, his tone of
+disgust disclaiming all association with any such organization.
+
+"A Grievance Committee?" said Mr. Maitland again. "Well, I'll be! What
+do they want? Who are they? Bring them in," he roared in a voice whose
+ascending tone indicated his growing amazement and wrath.
+
+"Come in you," growled Wickes in the voice he generally used for his
+collie dog, which bore a thoroughly unenviable reputation, "come on in,
+can't ye?"
+
+There was some shuffling for place in the group at the door, but finally
+Mr. Wigglesworth found himself pushed to the front of a committee of
+five. With a swift glance which touched "the boss" in its passage and
+then rested upon the wall, the ceiling, the landscape visible through
+the window, anywhere indeed rather than upon the face of the man against
+whom they had a grievance, they filed in and stood ill at ease.
+
+"Well, Wigglesworth, what is it?" said Grant Maitland curtly.
+
+Mr. Wigglesworth cleared his throat. He was new at the business and
+was obviously torn between conflicting emotions of pride in his present
+important position and a wholesome fear of his "boss." However, having
+cleared his throat, Mr. Wigglesworth pulled himself together and with a
+wave of the hand began.
+
+"These 'ere--er--gentlemen an' myself 'ave been (h)appinted a
+Committee to lay before you certain grievances w'ich we feel to be very
+(h)oppressive, sir, so to speak, w'ich, an' meanin' no offence, sir, as
+men, fellow-men, as we might say--"
+
+"What do you want, Wigglesworth? What's your trouble? You have some
+trouble, what is it? Spit it out, man," said the boss sharply.
+
+"Well, sir, as I was a-sayin', this 'ere's a Committee (h)appinted to
+wait on you, sir, to lay before you certain facts w'ich we wish you to
+consider an' w'ich, as British subjecks, we feel--"
+
+"Come, come, Wigglesworth, cut out the speech, and get at the things.
+What do you want? Do you know? If so, tell me plainly and get done with
+it."
+
+"We want our rights as men," said Mr. Wigglesworth in a loud voice, "our
+rights as free men, and we demand to be treated as British--"
+
+"Is there anyone of this Committee that can tell me what you want
+of me?" said Maitland. "You, Gilby, you have some sense--what is the
+trouble? You want more wages, I suppose?"
+
+"I guess so," said Gilby, a long, lean man, Canadian born, of about
+thirty, "but it ain't the wages that's eatin' me so much."
+
+"What then?"
+
+"It's that blank foreman."
+
+"Foreman?"
+
+"That's right, sir." "Too blanked smart!" "Buttin' in like a blank billy
+goat!" The growls came in various undertones from the Committee.
+
+"What foreman? Hoddle?" The boss was ready to fight for his subalterns.
+
+"No! Old Hoddle's all right," said Gilby. "It's that young smart aleck,
+Tony Perrotte."
+
+"Tony Perrotte!" Mr. Maitland's voice was troubled and uncertain. "Tony
+Perrotte! Why, you don't mean to tell me that Perrotte is not a good
+man. He knows his job from the ground up."
+
+"Knows too much," said Gilby. "Wants to run everything and everybody.
+You can't tell him anything. And you'd think he was a Brigadier-General
+to hear him giving us orders."
+
+"You were at the front, Gilby?"
+
+"I was, for three years."
+
+"You know what discipline is?"
+
+"I do that, and I know too the difference between a Corporal and a
+Company Commander. I know an officer when I see him. But a brass hat
+don't make a General."
+
+"I won't stand for insubordination in my mills, Gilby. You must take
+orders from my foreman. You know me, Gilby. You've been long enough with
+me for that."
+
+"You treat a man fair, Mr. Maitland, and I never kicked at your orders.
+Ain't that so?"
+
+Maitland nodded.
+
+"But this young dude--"
+
+"'Dude'? What do you mean, 'dude'? He's no dude!"
+
+"Oh, he's so stuck on himself that he gives me the wearisome willies.
+Look here, other folks has been to the war. He needn't carry his chest
+like a blanked bay window."
+
+"Look here, Gilby, just quit swearing in this room." The cold blue eyes
+bored into Gilby's hot face.
+
+"I beg pardon, sir. It's a bad habit I've got, but that--that Tony
+Perrotte has got my goat and I'm through with him."
+
+"All right, Gilby. If you don't like your job you know what you can do,"
+said Maitland coldly.
+
+"You mean I can quit?" enquired Gilby hotly.
+
+"I mean there's only one boss in these works, and that's me. And my
+foreman takes my orders and passes them along. Those that don't like
+them needn't take them."
+
+"We demand our rights as--" began Mr. Wigglesworth heatedly.
+
+"Excuse me, sir. 'A should like to enquir-r-e if it is your-r or-rder-rs
+that your-r for-r-man should use blasphemious language to your-r men?"
+
+The cool, firm, rasping voice cut through Mr. Wigglesworth's sputtering
+noise like a circular saw through a pine log.
+
+Mr. Maitland turned sharply upon the speaker.
+
+"What is your name, my man?" he enquired.
+
+"Ma name is Malcolm McNish. 'A doot ye have na har-r-d it. But the name
+maitters little. It's the question 'A'm speerin'--asking at ye."
+
+Here was no amateur in the business of Grievance Committees. His manner
+was that of a self-respecting man dealing with a fellow-man on terms of
+perfect equality. There was a complete absence of Wigglesworth's noisy
+bluster, as also of Gilby's violent profanity. He obviously knew his
+ground and was ready to hold it. He had a case and was prepared to
+discuss it. There was no occasion for heat or bluster or profanity. He
+was prepared to discuss the matter, man to man.
+
+Mr. Maitland regarded him for a moment or two with keen steady gaze.
+
+"Where do you work, McNish?" he enquired of the Scot.
+
+"A'm workin' the noo in the sawmill. A'm a joiner to trade."
+
+"Then Perrotte is not your foreman?"
+
+"That is true," said McNish quietly.
+
+"Then personally you have no grievance against him?" Mr. Maitland had
+the air of a man who has scored a bull at the first shot.
+
+"Ay, A have an' the men tae--the men I represent have--"
+
+"And you assume to speak for them?"
+
+"They appoint me to speak for them."
+
+"And their complaint is--?"
+
+"Their complaint is that he is no fit to be a foreman."
+
+"Ah, indeed! And you are here solely on their word--"
+
+"No, not solely, but pairtly. A know by experience and A hae har-r-d the
+man, and he's no fit for his job, A'm tellin' you."
+
+"I suppose you know the qualifications of a foreman, McNish?" enquired
+Mr. Maitland with the suspicion of sarcasm in his voice.
+
+"Ay, A do that."
+
+"And how, may I ask, have you come to the knowledge?"
+
+"A dinna see--I do not see the bearing of the question."
+
+"Only this, that you and those you represent place your judgment as
+superior to mine in the choice of a foreman. It would be interesting to
+know upon what grounds."
+
+"I have been a foreman myself. But there are two points of view in this
+question--the point of view of the management and that of the worker. We
+have the one point of view, you have the other. And each has its value.
+Ours is the more important."
+
+"Indeed! And why, pray?"
+
+"Yours has chiefly to do with profits, ours with human life."
+
+"Very interesting indeed," said Mr. Maitland, "but it happens that
+profits and human life are somewhat closely allied--"
+
+"Aye, but wi' you profits are the primary consideration and humanity the
+secondary. Wi' us humanity is the primary."
+
+"Very interesting, indeed. But I must decline your premise. You are a
+new man here and so I will excuse you the impudence of charging me with
+indifference to the well-being of my men."
+
+"You put wur-r-ds in my mouth, Mr. Maitland. A said nae sic thing,"
+said McNish. "But your foreman disna' know his place, and he must be
+changed."
+
+"'Must,' eh?" The word had never been used to Mr. Maitland since his own
+father fifty years before had used it. It was an unfortunate word for
+the success of the interview. "'Must,' eh?" repeated Mr. Maitland with
+rising wrath. "I'd have you know, McNish, that the man doesn't live that
+says 'must' to me in regard to the men I choose to manage my business."
+
+"Then you refuse to remove yere foreman?"
+
+"Most emphatically, I do," said Mr. Maitland with glints of fire in his
+blue eyes.
+
+"Verra weel, so as we know yere answer. There is anither matter."
+
+"Yes? Well, be quick about it."
+
+"A wull that. Ye dinna pay yere men enough wages."
+
+"How do you know I don't?" said Mr. Maitland rising from his chair.
+
+"A have examined certain feegures which I shall be glad to submit tae
+ye, in regard tae the cost o' leevin' since last ye fixed the wage.
+If yere wage was right then, it's wrang the noo." Under the strain Mr.
+Maitland's boring eyes and increasing impatience the Doric flavour
+of McNish's speech grew richer and more guttural, varying with the
+intensity of his emotion.
+
+"And what may these figures be?" enquired Mr. Maitland with a voice of
+contempt.
+
+"These are the figures prepared by the Labour Department of your Federal
+Government. I suppose they may be relied upon. They show the increased
+cost of living during the last five years. You know yeresel' the
+increase in wages. Mr. Maitland, I am told ye are a just man, an' we ask
+ye tae dae the r-r-right. That's all, sir."
+
+"Thank you for your good opinion, my man. Whether I am a just man or not
+is for my own conscience alone. As to the wage question, Mr. Wickes
+will tell you, the matter had already been taken up. The result will be
+announced in a week or so."
+
+"Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir," said Mr. Wigglesworth. "We felt sure
+it would only be necessary to point (h)out the right course to you. I
+may say I took the same (h)identical (h)attitude with my fellow workmen.
+I sez to them, sez I, 'Mr. Maitland--'
+
+"That will do, Wigglesworth," said Mr. Maitland, cutting him short.
+"Have you anything more to say?" he continued, turning to McNish.
+
+"Nothing, sir, except to express the hope that you will reconsider yere
+attitude as regards the foreman."
+
+"You may take my word for it, I will not," said Mr. Maitland, snapping
+his words off with his teeth.
+
+"At least, as a fair-minded man, you will look into the matter," said
+McNish temperately.
+
+"I shall do as I think best," said Mr. Maitland.
+
+"It would be wiser."
+
+"Do you threaten me, sir?" Mr. Maitland leaned over his desk toward the
+calm and rugged Scot, his eyes flashing indignation.
+
+"Threaten ye? Na, na, threats are for bairns. Yere no a bairn, but a man
+an' a wise man an' a just, A doot. A'm gie'in' ye advice. That's all.
+Guid day."
+
+He turned away from the indignant Mr. Maitland, put his hat on his
+head and walked from the room, followed by the other members of the
+Committee, with the exception of Mr. Wigglesworth who lingered with
+evidently pacific intentions.
+
+"This, sir, is a most (h)auspicious (h)era, sir. The (h)age of reason
+and justice 'as dawned, an'--"
+
+"Oh, get out, Wigglesworth. Haven't you made all your speeches yet? The
+time for the speeches is past. Good day."
+
+He turned to his bookkeeper.
+
+"Wickes, bring me the reports turned in by Perrotte, at once."
+
+Mr. Maitland's manner was frankly, almost brutally, imperious. It
+was not his usual manner with his subordinates, from which it may
+be gathered that Mr. Maitland was seriously disturbed. And with good
+reason. In the first place, never in his career had one of his men
+addressed him in the cool terms of equality which McNish had used with
+him in the recent interview. Then, never had he been approached by
+a Grievance Committee. The whole situation was new, irritating,
+humiliating.
+
+As to the wages question, he would settle that without difficulty. He
+had never skimped the pay envelope. It annoyed him, however, that he had
+been forstalled in the matter by this Committee. But very especially he
+was annoyed by the recollection of the deliberative, rasping tones of
+that cool-headed Scot, who had so calmly set before him his duty. But
+the sting of the interview lay in the consciousness that the criticism
+of his foreman was probably just. And then, he was tied to Tony Perrotte
+by bonds that reached his heart. Had it not been so, he would have made
+short work of the business. As it was, Tony would have to stay at all
+costs. Mr. Maitland sat back in his chair, his eyes fixed upon the Big
+Bluff visible through the window, but his mind lingering over a picture
+that had often gripped hard at his heart during the last two years,
+a picture drawn for him in a letter from his remaining son, Jack. The
+letter lay in the desk at his hand. He saw in the black night that
+shell-torn strip of land between the lines, black as a ploughed field,
+lurid for a swift moment under the red glare of a bursting shell or
+ghastly in the sickly illumination of a Verry light, and over this black
+pitted earth a man painfully staggering with a wounded man on his back.
+The words leaped to his eyes. "He brought me out of that hell, Dad." He
+closed his eyes to shut out that picture, his hands clenched on the arms
+of his chair.
+
+"No," he said, raising his hand in solemn affirmation, "as the Lord God
+liveth, while I stay he stays."
+
+"Come in," he said, in answer to a timid tap at the office door. Mr.
+Wickes laid a file before him. It needed only a rapid survey of the
+sheets to give him the whole story. Incompetence and worse, sheer
+carelessness looked up at him from every sheet. The planing mill was in
+a state of chaotic disorganization.
+
+"What does this mean, Mr. Wickes?" he burst forth, putting his finger
+upon an item that cried out mismanagement and blundering. "Here is an
+order that takes a month to clear which should be done within ten days
+at the longest."
+
+Wickes stood silent, overwhelmed in dismayed self-condemnation.
+
+"It seems difficult somehow to get orders through, sir, these days," he
+said after a pause.
+
+"Difficult? What is the difficulty? The men are there, the machines are
+there, the material is in the yard. Why the delay? And look at this.
+Here is a lot of material gone to the scrap heap, the finest spruce ever
+grown in Canada too. What does this mean, Wickes?" he seemed to welcome
+the opportunity of finding a scapegoat for economic crimes, for which he
+could find no pardon.
+
+Sheet after sheet passed in swift review under his eye. Suddenly he
+flung himself back in his chair.
+
+"Wickes, this is simply damnable!"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Wickes, his face pale and his fingers trembling. "I
+don't--I don't seem to be able to--to--get things through."
+
+"Get things through? I should say not," shouted Maitland, glaring at
+him.
+
+"I have tried, I mean I'm afraid I'm--that I am not quite up to it, as I
+used to be. I get confused--and--" The old bookkeeper's lips were white
+and quivering. He could not get on with his story.
+
+"Here, take these away," roared Maitland.
+
+Gathering up the sheets with fingers that trembled helplessly,
+Wickes crept hurriedly out through the door, leaving a man behind
+him furiously, helplessly struggling in the relentless grip of his
+conscience, lashed with a sense of his own injustice. His anger which
+had found vent upon his old bookkeeper he knew was due another man, a
+man with whom at any cost he could never allow himself to be angry. The
+next two hours were bad hours for Grant Maitland.
+
+As the quitting whistle blew a tap came again to the office door. It was
+Wickes, with a paper in his hand. Without a word he laid the paper upon
+his chief's desk and turned away. Maitland glanced over it rapidly.
+
+"Wickes, what does this nonsense mean?" His chief's voice arrested him.
+He turned again to the desk.
+
+"I don't think--I have come to feel, sir, that I am not able for my
+job. I do not see as how I can go on." Maitland's brows frowned upon the
+sheet. Slowly he picked up the paper, tore it across and tossed it into
+the waste basket.
+
+"Wickes, you are an old fool--and," he added in a voice that grew husky,
+"I am another and worse."
+
+"But, sir--" began Wickes, in hurried tones.
+
+"Oh, cut it all out, Wickes," said Maitland impatiently. "You know I
+won't stand for that. But what can we do? He saved my boy's life--"
+
+"Yes, sir, and he was with my Stephen at the last, and--" The old man's
+voice suddenly broke.
+
+"I remember, Wickes, I remember. And that's another reason--We must find
+another way out."
+
+"I have been thinking, sir," said the bookkeeper timidly, "if you had a
+younger man in my place--"
+
+"You would go out, eh? I believe on my soul you would. You--you--old
+fool. But," said Maitland, reaching his hand across the desk, "I don't
+go back on old friends that way."
+
+The two men stood facing each other for a few minutes, with hands
+clasped, Maitland's face stern and set, Wickes' working in a pitiful
+effort to stay the tears that ran down his cheeks, to choke back the
+sobs that shook his old body as if in the grip of some unseen powerful
+hand.
+
+"We must find a way," said Maitland, when he felt sure of his voice.
+"Some way, but not that way. Sit down. We must go through this
+together."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE FOREMAN
+
+
+Grant Maitland's business instincts and training were such as to forbid
+any trifling with loose management in any department of his plant. He
+was, moreover, too just a man to allow any of his workmen to suffer
+for failures not their own. His first step was to get at the facts. His
+preliminary move was characteristic of him. He sent for McNish.
+
+"McNish," he said, "your figures I have examined. They tell me nothing
+I did not know, but they are cleverly set down. The matter of wages I
+shall deal with as I have always dealt with it in my business. The other
+matter--" Mr. Maitland paused, then proceeded with grave deliberation,
+"I must deal with in my own way. It will take a little time. I shall not
+delay unnecessarily, but I shall accept dictation from no man as to my
+methods."
+
+McNish stood silently searching his face with steady eyes.
+
+"You are a new man here, and I find you are a good workman," continued
+Mr. Maitland. "I don't know you nor your aims and purposes in this
+Grievance Committee business of yours. If you want a steady job with a
+chance to get on, you will get both; if you want trouble, you can get
+that too, but not for long, here."
+
+Still the Scot held him with grave steady gaze, but speaking no word.
+
+"You understand me, McNish?" said Maitland, nettled at the man's
+silence.
+
+"Aye, A've got a heid," he said in an impassive voice.
+
+"Well, then, I hope you will govern yourself accordingly. Good-day,"
+said Maitland, closing the interview.
+
+McNish still stood immovable.
+
+"That's all I have to say," said Maitland, glancing impatiently at the
+man.
+
+"But it's no all A have to say, if ye will pairmit me," answered McNish
+in a voice quiet and respectful and apparently, except for its Doric
+flavour, quite untouched by emotion of any kind soever.
+
+"Go on," said Maitland shortly, as the Scot stood waiting.
+
+"Maister Maitland," said McNish, rolling out a deeper Doric, "ye have
+made a promise and a threat. Yere threat is naething tae me. As tae yere
+job, A want it and A want tae get on, but A'm a free man the noo an' a
+free man A shall ever be. Good-day tae ye." He bowed respectfully to his
+employer and strode from the room.
+
+Mr. Maitland sat looking at the closed door.
+
+"He is a man, that chap, at any rate," he said to himself, "but what's
+his game, I wonder. He will bear watching."
+
+The very next day Maitland made a close inspection of his plant,
+beginning with the sawmill. He found McNish running one of the larger
+circular saws, and none too deftly. He stood observing the man for some
+moments in silence. Then stepping to the workman's side he said,
+
+"You will save time, I think, if you do it this way." He seized the
+levers and, eliminating an unnecessary movement, ran the log. McNish
+stood calmly observing.
+
+"Aye, yere r-right," he said. "Ye'll have done yon before."
+
+"You just bet I have," said Maitland, not a little pleased with himself.
+
+"A'm no saw man," said McNish, a little sullenly. "A dinna ken--I don't
+know saws of this sort. I'm a joiner. He put me off the bench."
+
+"Who?" said Maitland quickly.
+
+"Yon manny," replied McNish with unmistakable disgust.
+
+"You were on the bench, eh? What sort of work were you on?"
+
+"A was daein' a bit counter work. A wasna fast enough for him."
+
+Mr. Maitland called the head sawyer.
+
+"Put a man on here for a while, Powell, will you? You come with me,
+McNish."
+
+Together they went into the planing mill. Asking for the foreman he
+found that he was nowhere to be seen, that indeed he had not been in the
+mill that morning.
+
+"Show me your work, McNish," he said.
+
+McNish led him to a corner of the mill where some fine counter work was
+in process.
+
+"That's my work," he said, pointing to a piece of oak railing.
+
+Maitland, turning the work over in his hands, ran his finger along a
+joint somewhat clumsily fitted.
+
+"Not that," said McNish hastily. "Ma work stops here."
+
+Again Maitland examined the rail. His experienced eye detected easily
+the difference in the workmanship.
+
+"Is there anything else of yours about here?" he asked. McNish went to
+a pile of finished work and from it selected a small swing door
+beautifully panelled. Maitland's eye gleamed.
+
+"Ah, that's better," he said. "Yes, that's better."
+
+He turned to one of the workmen at the bench near by.
+
+"What job is this, Gibbon?" he asked.
+
+"It's the Bank job, I think," said Gibbon.
+
+"What? The Merchants' Bank job? Surely that can't be. That job was
+due two weeks ago." Maitland turned impatiently toward an older man.
+"Ellis," he said sharply, "do you know what job this is?"
+
+Ellis came and turned over the different parts of the work.
+
+"That's the Merchants' Bank job, sir," he said.
+
+"Then what is holding this up?" enquired Maitland wrathfully.
+
+"It's the turned work, I think, sir. I am not sure, but I think I heard
+Mr. Perrotte asking about that two or three days ago." Mr. Maitland's
+lips met in a thin straight line.
+
+"You can go back to your saw, McNish," he said shortly.
+
+"Ay, sir," said McNish, his tone indicating quiet satisfaction. At
+Gibbon's bench he paused. "Ye'll no pit onything past him, a doot," he
+said, with a grim smile, and passed out.
+
+In every part of the shop Mr. Maitland found similar examples of
+mismanagement and lack of co-ordination in the various departments of
+the work. It needed no more than a cursory inspection to convince him
+that a change of foreman was a simple necessity. Everywhere he found not
+only evidence of waste of time but also of waste of material. It cut him
+to the heart to see beautiful wood mangled and ruined. All his life he
+had worked with woods of different kinds. He knew them standing in all
+their matchless grandeur, in the primeval forest and had followed them
+step by step all the way to the finished product. Never without a heart
+pang did he witness a noble white pine, God's handiwork of centuries,
+come crashing to earth through the meaner growth beneath the chopper's
+axe. The only thing that redeemed such a deed from sacrilege, in his
+mind, was to see the tree fittingly transformed into articles of beauty
+and worth suitable for man's use. Hence, when he saw lying here and
+there deformed and disfigured fragments of the exquisitely grained white
+spruce, which during the war, he had with such care selected for his
+aeroplane parts, his very heart rose in indignant wrath. And filled with
+this wrath he made his way to the office and straightway summoned Wickes
+and his son Jack to conference.
+
+"Tony will never make a worker in wood. He cares nothing for it," he
+said bitterly.
+
+"Nor in anything else, Dad," said Jack, with a little laugh.
+
+"You laugh, but it is no laughing matter," said his father
+reproachfully.
+
+"I am sorry, Father, but you know I always thought it was a mistake to
+put Tony in charge of anything. Why, he might have had his commission
+if he were not such an irresponsible, downwright lazy beggar. What he
+needs, as my Colonel used to profanely say, is 'a good old-fashioned
+Sergeant-Major to knock hell out of him'. And, believe me, Tony was a
+rattling fine soldier if his officer would regularly, systematically and
+effectively expel his own special devil from his system. He needs that
+still."
+
+"What can we do with him? I simply can't and won't dismiss him, as that
+infernally efficient and coolheaded Scot demands. You heard about the
+Grievance Committee?"
+
+"Oh, the town has the story with embellishments. Rupert Stillwell took
+care to give me a picturesque account. But I would not hesitate, Dad.
+Kick Tony a good swift kick once a week or so, or, if that is beneath
+your dignity, fire him."
+
+"But, Jack, lad, we can't do that," said his father, greatly distressed,
+"after what--"
+
+"Why not? He carried me out of that hell all right, and while I live I
+shall remember that. But he is a selfish beggar. He hasn't the instinct
+for team play. He hasn't the idea of responsibility for the team. He
+gets so that he can not make himself do what he just doesn't feel like
+doing. He doesn't care a tinker's curse for the other fellows in the
+game with him."
+
+"The man that doesn't care for other fellows will never make a foreman,"
+said Mr. Maitland decisively. "But can't something be done with him?"
+
+"There's only one way to handle Tony," said Jack. "I learned that
+long ago in school. He was a prince of half-backs, you know, but I had
+regularly to kick him about before every big match. Oh, Tony is a fine
+sort but he nearly broke my heart till I nearly broke his back."
+
+"That does not help much, Jack." For the first time in his life Grant
+Maitland was at a loss as to how he should handle one of his men. Were
+it not for the letter in the desk at his hand he would have made short
+work of Tony Perrotte. But there the letter lay and in his heart the
+inerasible picture it set forth.
+
+"What is the special form that Tony's devilment has taken, may I ask?"
+enquired Jack.
+
+"Well, I may say to you, what Wickes knows and has known and has tried
+for three months to hide from me and from himself, Tony has made about
+as complete a mess of the organization under his care in the planing
+mill as can be imagined. The mill is strewn with the wreckage of
+unfulfilled orders. He has no sense of time value. To-morrow is as good
+as to-day, next week as this week. A foreman without a sense of time
+value is no good. And he does not value material. Waste to him is
+nothing. Another fatal defect. The man to whom minutes are not potential
+gold and material potential product can never hope to be a manufacturer.
+If only I had not been away from home! But the thing is, what is to be
+done?"
+
+"In the words of a famous statesman much abused indeed, I suggest, 'Wait
+and see.' Meantime, find some way of kicking him into his job."
+
+This proved to be in the present situation a policy of wisdom. It was
+Tony himself who furnished the solution. From the men supposed to be
+working under his orders he learned the day following Maitland's visit
+of inspection something of the details of that visit. He quickly made
+up his mind that the day of reckoning could not long be postponed. None
+knew better than Tony himself that he was no foreman; none so well that
+he loathed the job which had been thrust upon him by the father of
+the man whom he had carried out from the very mouth of hell. It was
+something to his credit that he loathed himself for accepting the
+position. Yet, with irresponsible procrastination, he put off the day of
+reckoning. But, some ten days later, and after a night with some kindred
+spirits of his own Battalion, a night prolonged into the early hours of
+the working day, Tony presented himself at the office, gay, reckless,
+desperate, but quite compos mentis and quite master of his means of
+locomotion.
+
+He appeared in the outer office, still in his evening garb.
+
+"Mr. Wickes," he said in solemn gravity, "please have your stenographer
+take this letter."
+
+Mr. Wickes, aghast, strove to hush his vibrant tones, indicating in
+excited pantomime the presence of the chief in the inner office. He
+might as effectively have striven to stay the East wind at that time
+sweeping up the valley.
+
+"Are you ready, my dear?" said Tony, smiling pleasantly at the girl.
+"All right, proceed. 'Dear Mr. Maitland:' Got that? 'Conscious of my
+unfitness for the position of foreman in--'"
+
+"Hush, hush, Tony," implored Mr. Wickes.
+
+Tony waved him aside.
+
+"What have you got, eh?"
+
+At that point the door opened and Grant Maitland stepped into the
+office. Tony rose to his feet and, bowing with elaborate grace and
+dignity, he addressed his chief.
+
+"Good morning, sir. I am glad to see you, in fact, I wanted to see
+you but wishing to save your time I was in the very act of dictating a
+communication to you."
+
+"Indeed, Tony?" said Mr. Maitland gravely.
+
+"Yes, sir, I was on the point of dictating my resignation of my position
+of foreman."
+
+"Step in to the office, Tony," said Mr. Maitland kindly and sadly.
+
+"I don't wish to take your time, sir," said Tony, sobered and quieted by
+Mr. Maitland's manner, "but my mind is quite made up. I--"
+
+"Come in," said Mr. Maitland, in a voice of quiet command, throwing open
+his office door. "I wish to speak to you."
+
+"Oh, certainly, sir," answered Tony, pulling himself together with an
+all too obvious effort.
+
+In half an hour Tony came forth, a sober and subdued man.
+
+"Good-bye, Wickes," he said, "I'm off."
+
+"Where are you going, Tony?" enquired Wickes, startled at the look on
+Tony's face.
+
+"To hell," he snapped, "where such fools as me belong," and, jamming his
+hat hard down on his head, he went forth.
+
+In another minute Mr. Maitland appeared at the office door.
+
+"Wickes," he said sharply, "put on your hat and get Jack for me. Bring
+him, no matter what he's at. That young fool who has just gone out must
+be looked after. The boot-leggers have been taking him in tow. If I had
+only known sooner. Did you know, Wickes, how he has been going on? Why
+didn't you report to me?"
+
+"I hesitated to do that, sir," putting his desk in order. "I always
+expected as how he would pull up. It's his company, sir. He is not so
+much to blame."
+
+"Well, he would not take anything I had to offer. He is wild to get
+away. And unfortunately he has some money with him, too. But get Jack
+for me. He can handle him if anybody can."
+
+Sorely perplexed Mr. Maitland returned to his office. His business sense
+pointed the line of action with sunlight clearness. His sense of justice
+to the business for which he was responsible as well as to the men
+in his employ no less clearly indicated the action demanded. His sane
+judgment concurred in the demand of his men for the dismissal of his
+foreman. Dismissal had been rendered unnecessary by Tony's unshakable
+resolve to resign his position which he declared he loathed and which
+he should never have accepted. His perplexity arose from the confusion
+within himself. What should he do with Tony? He had no position in his
+works or in the office for which he was fit. None knew this better than
+Tony himself.
+
+"It's a joke, Mr. Maitland," he had declared, "a ghastly joke. Everybody
+knows it's a joke, that I should be in command of any man when I can't
+command myself. Besides, I can't stick it." In this resolve he had
+persisted in spite of Mr. Maitland's entreaties that he should give the
+thing another try, promising him all possible guidance and backing. But
+entreaties and offers of assistance had been in vain. Tony was wild
+to get away from the mill. He hated the grind. He wanted his freedom.
+Vainly Mr. Maitland had offered to find another position for him
+somewhere, somehow.
+
+"We'll find a place in the office for you," he had pleaded. "I want to
+see you get on, Tony. I want to see you make good."
+
+But Tony was beyond all persuasion.
+
+"It isn't in me," he had declared. "Not if you gave me the whole works
+could I stick it."
+
+"Take a few days to think it over," Mr. Maitland had pleaded.
+
+"I know myself--only too well. Ask Jack, he knows," was Tony's bitter
+answer. "And that's final."
+
+"No, Tony, it is not final," had been Mr. Maitland's last word, as Tony
+had left him.
+
+But after the young man had left him there still remained the unsolved
+question, What was he to do with Tony? In Mr. Maitland's heart was the
+firm resolve that he would not allow Tony to go his own way. The letter
+in the desk at his hand forbade that.
+
+At his wits' end he had sent for Jack. Jack had made a football
+half-back and a hockey forward out of Tony when everyone else had
+failed. If anyone could divert him from that desperate downward course
+to which he seemed headlong bent, it was Jack.
+
+In a few minutes Wickes returned with the report that on receiving an
+account of what had happened Jack had gone to look up Tony.
+
+Mr. Maitland drew a breath of relief.
+
+"Tony is all right for to-day," he said, turning to his work and leaving
+the problem for the meantime to Jack.
+
+In an hour Jack reported that he had been to the Perrotte home and had
+interviewed Tony's mother. From her he had learned that Tony had left
+the town, barely catching the train to Toronto. He might not return for
+a week or ten days. He could set no time for it. He was his own master
+as to time. He had got to the stage where he could go and come pretty
+much as he pleased. The mother was not at all concerned as to these
+goings and comings of her son. He had an assured position, all cause for
+anxiety in regard to him was at an end. Tony's mother was obviously not
+a little uplifted that her son should be of sufficient importance to be
+entrusted with business in Toronto in connection with the mill.
+
+All of which tended little toward relieving the anxiety of Mr. Maitland.
+
+"Let him take his swing, Dad, for a bit," was Jack's advice. "He will
+come back when he is ready, and until then wild horses won't bring him
+nor hold him. He is no good for his old job, and you have no other ready
+that he will stick at. He has no Sergeant-Major now to knock him about
+and make him keep step, more's the pity."
+
+"Life will be his Sergeant-Major, I fear," said his father, "and a
+Sergeant-Major that will exact the utmost limit of obedience or make him
+pay the price. All the same, we won't let him go. I can't Jack, anyway."
+
+"Oh, Tony will turn up, never fear, Dad," said Jack easily.
+
+With this assurance his father had to content himself. In a fortnight's
+time a letter came from Tony to his sister, rosy with the brilliance of
+the prospects opening up before him. There was the usual irresponsible
+indefiniteness in detail. What he was doing and how he was living Tony
+did not deign to indicate. Ten days later Annette had another letter.
+The former prospects had not been realised, but he had a much better
+thing in view, something more suitable to him, and offering larger
+possibilities of position and standing in the community. So much Annette
+confided to her mother who passed on the great news with elaborations
+and annotations to Captain Jack. To Captain Jack himself Annette gave
+little actual information. Indeed, shorn of its element of prophecy,
+there was little in Tony's letter that could be passed on. Nor did
+Annette drop any hint but that all was quite well with her brother, much
+less that he had suggested a temporary loan of fifty dollars but only
+of course if she could spare the amount with perfect convenience. After
+this letter there was silence as far as Tony was concerned and for
+Annette anxiety that deepened into agony as the silence remained
+unbroken with the passing weeks.
+
+With the anxiety there mingled in Annette's heart anger at the
+Maitlands, for she blamed them for Tony's dismissal from his position.
+This, it is fair to say, was a reflection from her mother's wrath, whose
+mind had been filled up with rumours from the mills to the effect that
+her son had been "fired." Annette was wise enough and knew her brother
+well enough to discredit much that rumour brought to her ears, but she
+could not rid herself of the thought that a way might have been found to
+hold Tony about the mills.
+
+"He fired the boy, did the ould carmudgeon," said Madame Perrotte in one
+of her rages, "and druv him off from the town."
+
+"Nonsense, Mother," Annette had replied, "you know well enough Tony
+left of his own accord. Why should you shame him so? He went because he
+wanted to go."
+
+This was a new light upon the subject for her mother.
+
+"Thrue for you, Annette, gurl," she said, "an' ye said it that time. But
+why for did he not induce the bye to remain? It would be little enough
+if he had made him the Manager of the hull works. That same would never
+pay back what he did for his son."
+
+"Hush, Mother," said Annette, in a shocked and angry voice, "let no one
+hear you speak like that. Pay back! You know, Mother, nothing could ever
+pay back a thing like that." The anger in her daughter's voice startled
+the mother.
+
+"Oui! by gar!" said Perrotte, who had overheard, with quick wrath.
+"Dat's foolish talk for sure! Dere's no man can spik lak dat to me, or I
+choke him on his fool t'roat, me."
+
+"Right you are, mon pere!" said Annette appeasing her father. "Mother
+did not think what she was saying."
+
+"Dat's no bon," replied Perrotte, refusing to be appeased. "Sacre
+tonnerre! Dat's one--what you call?--damfool speech. Dat boy Tony he's
+carry (h)on hees back his friend, le Capitaine Jack, an' le Capitaine,
+he's go five mile for fin' Tony on' de shell hole an' fetch heem to le
+docteur and stay wit' him till he's fix (h)up. Nom de Dieu! You pay for
+dat! Mama! You mak' shame for me on my heart!" cried the old Frenchman,
+beating his breast, while sobs shook his voice.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+FREE SPEECH
+
+
+Fifty years ago Blackwater town was a sawmill village on the Blackwater
+River which furnished the power for the first little sawmill set up by
+Grant Maitland's father.
+
+Down the river came the sawlogs in the early spring when the water was
+high, to be caught and held by a "boom" in a pond from which they were
+hauled up a tramway to the saw. A quarter of a mile up stream a mill
+race, tapping the river, led the water to an "overshot wheel" in the
+early days, later to a turbine, thus creating the power necessary to
+drive the mill machinery. When the saw was still the water overflowed
+the "stop-logs" by the "spillway" into the pond below.
+
+But that mill race furnished more than power to the mill. It furnished
+besides much colourful romance to the life of the village youth of those
+early days. For down the mill race they ran their racing craft, jostling
+and screaming, urging with long poles their laggard flotillas to
+victory. The pond by the mill was to the boys "swimming hole" and
+fishing pool, where, during the long summer evenings and through the
+sunny summer days, they spent amphibious hours in high and serene
+content. But in springtime when the pond was black with floating logs
+it became the scene of thrilling deeds of daring. For thither came the
+lumber-jacks, fresh from "the shanties," in their dashing, multi-colored
+garb, to "show off" before admiring friends and sweethearts their skill
+in "log-running" and "log-rolling" contests which as the spirit of
+venture grew would end like as not in the icy waters of the pond.
+
+Here, too, on brilliant winter days the life of the village found its
+centre of vivid interest and activity. For then the pond would be a
+black and glittering surface whereon wheeled and curved the ringing,
+gleaming blades of "fancy" skaters or whereon in sterner hours opposing
+"shinny" teams sought glory in Homeric and often gory contest.
+
+But those days and those scenes were now long since gone. The old mill
+stood a picturesque ruin, the water wheel had given place to the
+steam engine, the pond had shrunk to an insignificant pool where only
+pollywogs and minnows passed unadventurous lives, the mill race had
+dwindled to a trickling stream grown thick with watercress and yellow
+lilies, and what had once been the centre of vigorous and romantic life
+was now a back water eddy devoid alike of movement and of colour.
+
+A single bit of life remained--the little log cottage, once the
+Manager's house a quarter of a century ago, still stood away up among
+the pines behind the old mill ruin and remote from the streets and homes
+of the present town. At the end of a little grassy lane it stood, solid
+and square, resisting with its well hewn pinelogs the gnawing tooth of
+time. Abandoned by the growing town, forgotten by the mill owner, it was
+re-discovered by Malcolm McNish, or rather by his keen eyed old mother
+on their arrival from the old land six months ago. For a song McNish
+bought the solid little cottage, he might have had it as a gift but that
+he would not, restored its roof, cleared out its stone chimney which,
+more than anything else, had caught the mother's eye, re-set the window
+panes, added a wee cunning porch, gave its facings a coat of paint,
+enclosed its bit of flower garden in front and its "kale yaird" in the
+rear with a rustic paling, and made it, when the Summer had done its
+work, a bonnie homelike spot which caught the eye and held the heart of
+the passer-by.
+
+The interior more than fulfilled the promise of the exterior. The big
+living room with its great stone fireplace welcomed you on opening the
+porch door. From the living room on the right led two doors, each giving
+entrance to a tiny bedroom and flanking a larger room known as "the
+Room."
+
+Within the living room were gathered the household treasures, the Lares
+and Penates of the little stone rose-covered cottage "at hame awa' ayont
+the sea." On the mantel a solid hewn log of oak, a miracle of broad-axe
+work, were "bits o' chiny" rarely valuable as antiques to the knowing
+connoisseur but beyond price to the old white-haired lady who daily
+dusted them with reverent care as having been borne by her mother from
+the Highland home in the far north country when as a bride she came by
+the "cadger's cairt" to her new home in the lonely city of Glasgow. Of
+that Glasgow home and of her own home later the walls of the log cottage
+were eloquent.
+
+The character giving bit of furniture, however, in the living room was
+a book-case that stood in a corner. Its beautiful inlaid cabinet work
+would in itself have attracted attention, but not the case but the books
+were its distinction. The great English poets were represented there
+in serviceable bindings showing signs of use, Shakespeare, Wordsworth,
+Coleridge, Browning, Keats, and with them in various editions, Burns.
+Beside the poets Robert Louis had a place, and Sir Walter, as well as
+Kipling and Meredith and other moderns. But on the shelf that showed
+most wear were to be found the standard works of economists of different
+schools from the great Adam Smith to Marx and the lot of his imitators
+and disciples. This was Malcolm's book-case. There was in another corner
+near the fire-place a little table and above it hung a couple of shelves
+for books of another sort, the Bible and The Westminster Confession,
+Bunyan and Baxter and Fox's Book of Martyrs, Rutherford and McCheyne and
+Law, The Ten Years' Conflict, Spurgeon's Sermons and Smith's Isaiah, and
+a well worn copy of the immortal Robbie. This was the mother's corner,
+a cosy spot where she nourished her soul by converse with the great
+masters of thought and of conscience.
+
+In this "cosy wee hoosie" Malcolm McNish and his mother passed their
+quiet evenings, for the days were given to toil, in talk, not to say
+discussion of the problems, the rights and wrongs of the working man.
+They agreed in much; they differed, and strongly, in point of view. The
+mother was all for reform of wrongs with the existing economic system,
+reverencing the great Adam Smith. The son was for a new deal, a new
+system, the Socialistic, with modifications all his own. All, or almost
+all, that Malcolm had read the mother had read with the exception of
+Marx. She "cudna thole yon godless loon" or his theories or his works.
+Malcolm had grown somewhat sick of Marx since the war. Indeed, the war
+had seriously disturbed the foundations of Malcolm's economic faith, and
+he was seeking a readjustment of his opinion and convictions, which were
+rather at loose ends. In this state of mind he found little comfort from
+his shrewd old mother.
+
+"Y'e have nae anchor, laddie, and ilka woof of air and ilka turn o' the
+tide and awa' ye go."
+
+As for her anchor, she made no bones of announcing that she had
+been brought up on the Shorter Catechism and the Confession and in
+consequence found a place for every theory of hers, Social and Economic
+as well as Ethical and Religious, within the four corners of the mighty
+fabric of the Calvinistic system of Philosophy and Faith.
+
+One of the keen joys of her life since coming to the new country she
+found in her discussions with the Rev. Murdo Matheson, whom, after some
+considerable hesitation, she had finally chosen to "sit under." The Rev.
+Murdo's theology was a little narrow for her. She had been trained in
+the schools of the Higher Critics of the Free Kirk leaders at home.
+She talked familiarly of George Adam Smith, whom she affectionately
+designated as "George Adam." She would wax wrathful over the memory of
+the treatment meted out to Robertson Smith by a former generation of
+Free Kirk heresy hunters. Hence she regarded with pity the hesitation
+with which her Minister accepted some of the positions of the Higher
+Critics. Although it is to be confessed that the war had somewhat rudely
+shattered her devotion to German theology.
+
+"What d'ye think o' yere friend Harnack the noo?" her son had jibed at
+her soon after the appearance of the great manifesto from the German
+professors.
+
+"What do A think o' him?" she answered, sparring for time. "What do A
+think o' him?" Then, as her eye ran over her son's uniform, for he was
+on leave at the time, she blazed forth, "A'll tell ye what A think
+o' him. A think that Auld Hornie has his hook intil him and the hale
+kaboodle o' them. They hae forsaken God and made tae themselves ither
+gods and the Almichty hae gi'en them ower tae a reprobate mind."
+
+But her Canadian Minister's economic positions satisfied her. He had
+specialised in Social and Economic Science in his University Course and
+she considered him sound "in the main."
+
+She had little patience with half baked theorists and none at all with
+mere agitators. It was therefore with no small indignation that she saw
+on a Sunday morning Mr. Wigglesworth making his way up the lane toward
+her house door.
+
+"The Lord be guid tae us!" she exclaimed. "What brings yon cratur
+here--and on a Sabbath mornin'? Mind you, Malcolm," she continued in
+a voice of sharp decision, "A'll hae nane o' his 'rights o' British
+citizens' clack the morn."
+
+"Who is it, Mother?" enquired her son, coming from his room to look out
+through the window. "Oh, dinna fash ye're heid ower yon windbag," he
+added, dropping into his broadest Doric and patting his mother on the
+shoulder.
+
+"He disna fash me," said his mother. "Nae fears. But A'll no pairmit
+him to brak the Sabbath in this hoose, A can tell ye." None the less she
+opened the door to Mr. Wigglesworth with dignified courtesy.
+
+"Guid mornin', Mr. Wigglesworth," she said cordially. "Ye're airly on
+yere way tae the Kirk."
+
+"Yes--that is--yes," replied Mr. Wigglesworth in some confusion, "I am a
+bit (h)early. Fact is, I was (h)anxious to catch Malcolm before 'e
+went aht. I 'ave a rather (h)important business on 'and with 'im, very
+(h)important business, I might say."
+
+"'Business,' did ye say, Mr. Wigglesworth?" Mrs. McNish stood facing him
+at the door. "Business! On the Lord's Day?"
+
+Mr. Wigglesworth gaped at her, hat in hand.
+
+"Well, Mrs. McNish, not (h)exactly business. That is," he said with an
+apologetic smile, "(h)it depends, you see, just w'at yeh puts (h)into a
+word, Mrs. McNish."
+
+Mr. Wigglesworth's head went over to one side as if in contemplation of
+a new and striking idea.
+
+"A pit nae meaning into a word that's no in it on its ain accoont," she
+replied with uncompromising grimness. "Business is just business, an' my
+son diz nae business on the Lord's Day."
+
+There was no place for casuistry in the old Scotch lady's mind. A thing
+was or was not, and there was an end to that.
+
+"Certainly, Mrs. McNish, certainly! And so sez I. But there might be a
+slight difference of (h)opinion between you and I, so to speak, as
+to just w'at may constitute 'business.' Now, for (h)instance--" Mr.
+Wigglesworth was warming to his subject, but the old lady standing on
+her doorstep fixed her keen blue eyes upon him and ruthlessly swept away
+all argumentation on the matter.
+
+"If it is a matter consistent with the Lord's Day, come in; if not, stay
+oot."
+
+"Oh! Yes, thank you. By the way, is your son in, by (h)any chance?
+Per'raps 'e's shavin' 'isself, eh?" Mr. Wigglesworth indulged in a
+nervous giggle.
+
+"Shavin' himsel!" exclaimed Mrs. McNish. "On the Sawbath! Man, d'ye
+think he's a heathen, then?" Mrs. McNish regarded the man before her
+with severity.
+
+"An 'eathen? Not me! I should consider it an 'eathenish practice to go
+dirty of a Sunday," said Mr. Wigglesworth triumphantly.
+
+"Hoots, man, wha's talkin' about gaein' dirty? Can ye no mak due
+preparation on the Saturday? What is yere Saturday for?"
+
+This was a new view to Mr. Wigglesworth and rather abashed him.
+
+"What is it, Mother?" Malcolm's voice indicated a desire to appease the
+wrath that gleamed in his mother's eye. "Oh, it is Mr. Wigglesworth.
+Yes, yes! I want to see Mr. Wigglesworth. Will you come in, Mr.
+Wigglesworth?"
+
+"Malcolm, A was jist tellin' Mr. Wigglesworth--"
+
+"Yes, yes, I know, Mother, but I want--"
+
+"Malcolm, ye ken what day it is. And A wull not--"
+
+"Yes, Mother, A ken weel, but--"
+
+"And ye ken ye'll be settin' oot for the Kirk in half an oor--"
+
+"Half an hour, Mother? Why, it is only half past nine--"
+
+"A ken weel what it is. But A dinna like tae be fashed and flustered in
+ma mind on ma way till the Hoose o' God."
+
+"I shall only require a very few moments, Madam," said Mr. Wigglesworth.
+"The matter with w'ich I am (h)entrusted need not take more than a
+minute or two. In fact, I simply want to (h)announce a special, a very
+special meetin' of the Union this (h)afternoon."
+
+"A releegious meetin', Mr. Wigglesworth?" enquired Mrs. McNish.
+
+"Well--not exactly--that is--I don't know but you might call it a
+religious meetin'. To my mind, Mrs. McNish, you know--"
+
+But Mrs. McNish would have no sophistry.
+
+"Mr. Wigglesworth," she began sternly.
+
+But Malcolm cut in.
+
+"Now, Mother, I suppose it's a regular enough meeting. Just wait till I
+get my hat, Mr. Wigglesworth. I'll be with you."
+
+His mother followed him into the house, leaving Mr. Wigglesworth at the
+door.
+
+"Malcolm," she began with solemn emphasis.
+
+"Now, now, Mother, surely you know me well enough by this time to trust
+my judgment in a matter of this kind," said her son, hurriedly searching
+for his hat.
+
+"Ay, but A'm no sae sure o' yon buddie--"
+
+"Hoot, toot," said her son, passing out. "A'll be back in abundant time
+for the Kirk, Mither. Never you fear."
+
+"Weel, weel, laddie, remember what day it is. Ye ken weel it's no day
+for warldly amusement."
+
+"Ay, Mither," replied her son, smiling a little at the associating of
+Mr. Wigglesworth with amusement of any sort on any day.
+
+In abundance of time Malcolm was ready to allow a quiet, unhurried walk
+with his mother which would bring them to the church a full quarter of
+an hour before the hour of service.
+
+It happened that the Rev. Murdo was on a congenial theme and in
+specially good form that morning.
+
+"How much better is a man than a sheep," was his text, from which with
+great ingenuity and eloquence he proceeded to develop the theme of the
+supreme value of the human factor in modern life, social and industrial.
+With great cogency he pressed the argument against the inhuman and
+degrading view that would make man a mere factor in the complex problem
+of Industrial Finance, a mere inanimate cog in the Industrial Machine.
+
+"What did you think of the sermon, Mother?" asked Malcolm as they
+entered the quiet lane leading home.
+
+"No sae bad, laddie, no sae bad. Yon's an able laddie, especially on
+practical themes. Ay, it was no that bad," replied his mother with
+cautious approval.
+
+"What about his view of the Sabbath?"
+
+"What about it? Wad ye no lift a sheep oot o' the muck on the Sawbath?"
+
+"A would, of course," replied Malcolm.
+
+"Weel, what?"
+
+"A was jist thinkin' o' Mr. Wigglesworth this morning."
+
+"Yon man!"
+
+"You were rather hard on him this morning', eh, Mither?"
+
+"Hard on him? He's no a sheep, nor in some ways as guid's a sheep, A
+grant ye that, but such as he is was it no ma duty to pull him oot o'
+the mire o' Sawbath desecration and general ungodliness?"
+
+"Aw, Mither, Mither! Ye're incorrigible! Ye ought to come to the meeting
+this afternoon and give them all a lug out."
+
+"A wull that then," said his mother heartily. "They need it, A doot."
+
+"Hoots! Nonsense, Mither!" said her son hastily, knowing well how
+thoroughly capable she was of not only going to a meeting of Union
+workers but also of speaking her mind if in her judgment they were
+guilty of transgressing the Sabbath law. "The meeting will be just as
+religious as Mr. Matheson's anyway."
+
+"A'm no sae sure," said his mother grimly.
+
+Whether religious in the sense understood by Mrs. McNish, the meeting
+was not wanting in ethical interest or human passion. It was a gathering
+of the workers in the various industries in the town, Trade Unionists
+most of them, but with a considerable number who had never owed
+allegiance to any Union and a number of disgruntled ex-Unionists. These
+latter were very vociferous and for the most part glib talkers, with
+passions that under the slightest pressure spurted foaming to the
+surface. Returned soldiers there were who had taken on their old jobs
+but who had not yet settled down into the colourless routine of mill and
+factory work under the discipline of those who often knew little of
+the essentials of discipline as these men knew them. A group of
+French-Canadian factory hands, taken on none too willingly in the
+stress of war work, constituted an element of friction, for the soldiers
+despised and hated them. With these there mingled new immigrants from
+the shipyards and factories of the Old Land, all members or ex-members
+of Trade Unions, Socialists in training and doctrine, familiar with the
+terminology and jargon of those Socialistic debating schools, the Local
+Unions of England and Scotland, alert, keen, ready of wit and ready
+of tongue, rejoicing in wordy, passionate debate, ready for anything,
+fearing nothing.
+
+The occasion of the meeting was the presence of a great International
+Official of the American Federation of Labour, and its purpose to
+strengthen International Unionism against the undermining of guerilla
+bands of non-Unionists and very especially against the new organizations
+emanating from the far West, the One Big Union.
+
+At the door of the hall stood Mr. Wigglesworth, important, fussy
+and unctuously impressive, welcoming, directing, introducing and,
+incidentally but quite ineffectively, seeking to inspire with respect
+for his august person a nondescript crowd of small boys vainly seeking
+entrance. With an effusiveness amounting to reverence he welcomed McNish
+and directed him in a mysterious whisper toward a seat on the platform,
+which, however, McNish declined, choosing a seat at the side about half
+way up the aisle.
+
+A local Union official was addressing the meeting but saying nothing in
+particular, and simply filling in till the main speaker should arrive.
+McNish, quite uninterested in the platform, was quietly taking note of
+the audience, with many of whom he had made a slight acquaintance. As
+his eye travelled slowly from face to face it was suddenly arrested.
+There beside her father was Annette Perrotte, who greeted him with a
+bright nod and smile. They had long ago made up their tiff. Then McNish
+had another surprise. At the door of the hall appeared Captain Jack
+Maitland who, after coolly surveying the room, sauntered down the aisle
+and took a seat at his side. He nodded to McNish.
+
+"Quite a crowd, McNish," he said. "I hear the American Johnnie is quite
+a spouter so I came along to hear."
+
+McNish looked at him and silently nodded. He could not understand his
+presence at that kind of a meeting.
+
+"You know I am a Union man now," said Captain Jack, accurately reading
+his silence. "Joined a couple of months ago."
+
+But McNish kept his face gravely non-committal, wondering how it was
+that this important bit of news had not reached him. Then he remembered
+that he had not attended the last two monthly meetings of his Union,
+and also he knew that little gossip of the shops came his way. None
+the less, he was intensely interested in Maitland's appearance. He
+did Captain Jack the justice to acquit him of anything but the most
+honourable intentions, yet he could not make clear to his mind what end
+the son of his boss could serve by joining a Labour Union. He finally
+came to the conclusion that this was but another instance of an
+"Intellectual" studying the social and economic side of Industry from
+first-hand observation. It was a common enough thing in the Old Land.
+He was conscious of a little contempt for this dilettante sort of Labour
+Unionism, and he was further conscious of a feeling of impatience and
+embarrassment at Captain Jack's presence. He belonged to the enemy camp,
+and what right had he there? From looks cast in their direction it was
+plain that others were asking the same question. His thought received a
+sudden and unexpected exposition from the platform from no less a person
+than Mr. Wigglesworth himself to whom as one of the oldest officials in
+Unionised Labour in the town had been given the honour of introducing
+the distinguished visitor and delegate.
+
+In flowing periods and with a reckless but wholly unauthorised
+employment of aspirates he "welcomed the (h)audience, (h)especially the
+ladies, and other citizens among 'oom 'e was delighted to (h)observe
+a representative of the (h)employing class 'oo was for the present 'e
+believed one of themselves." To his annoyed embarrassment Captain Jack
+found himself the observed of many eyes, friendly and otherwise. "But 'e
+would assure Captain Maitland that although 'e might feel as if 'e 'ad
+no right to be 'ere--"
+
+"'Ere! 'Ere!" came a piercing voice in unmistakable approval,
+galvanising the audience out of its apathy into instant emotional
+intensity.
+
+"(H)I want most (h)emphatically to (h)assure Captain Maitland,"
+continued Mr. Wigglesworth, frowning heavily upon the interrupter, "that
+'e is as welcome--"
+
+"No! No!" cried the same Cockney voice, followed by a slight rumbling
+applause.
+
+"I say 'e is," shouted Mr. Wigglesworth, supported by hesitating
+applause.
+
+"No! No! We don't want no toffs 'ere." This was followed by more
+definite applause from the group immediately surrounding the speaker.
+
+Mr. Wigglesworth was much affronted and proceeded to administer a rebuke
+to the interrupter.
+
+"I (h)am surprised," he began, with grieved and solemn emphasis.
+
+"Mr. Chairman," said the owner of the Cockney voice, rising to his
+feet and revealing himself a small man with large head and thin wizened
+features, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to protest right 'ere an' naow against
+the presence of (h)any representative of the (h)enemy class at--"
+
+"Aw, shut up!" yelled a soldier, rising from his place. "Throw out the
+little rat!"
+
+Immediately there was uproar. On every side returned soldiers, many of
+whom had been in Captain Jack's battalion, sprang up and began moving
+toward the little Cockney who, boldly standing his ground, was wildly
+appealing to the chair and was supported by the furious cheering of a
+group of his friends, Old Country men most of whom, as it turned out,
+were of the extreme Socialist type. By this time it had fully been borne
+in upon Captain Jack's mind, somewhat dazed by the unexpected attack,
+that he was the occasion of the uproar. Rising from his place he tried
+vainly to catch the Chairman's attention.
+
+"Come up to the platform," said a voice in his ear. He turned and saw
+McNish shouldering his way through the excited crowd toward the front.
+After a moment's hesitation he shrugged his shoulders and followed. The
+move caught the eye and apparently the approval of the audience, for it
+broke into cheers which gathered in volume till by the time that McNish
+and Captain Jack stood on the platform the great majority were wildly
+yelling their enthusiastic approval of their action. McNish stood with
+his hand raised for a hearing. Almost instantly there fell a silence
+intense and expectant. The Scotchman stood looking in the direction of
+the excited Cockney with cold steady eye.
+
+"A'm for freedom! The right of public assembly! A'm feart o' nae enemy,
+not the deevil himself. This gentleman is a member of my Union and he
+stays r-r-right he-e-r-re." With a rasping roll of his r's he seemed to
+be ripping the skin off the little Cockney's very flesh. The response
+was a yell of savage cheers which seemed to rock the building and which
+continued while Mr. Wigglesworth in overflowing effusiveness first shook
+Maitland's limp hand in a violent double-handed pump handle exercise and
+then proceeded to introduce him to the distinguished visitor, shouting
+his name in Maitland's ear, "Mr 'Oward (H)E. Bigelow," adding with a
+sudden inspiration, "(H)Introduce 'im to the (h)audience. Yes! Yes! Most
+(h)assuredly," and continued pushing both men toward the front of the
+platform, the demonstration increasing in violence.
+
+"I say, old chap," shouted Captain Jack in the stranger's ear, "I feel
+like a fool."
+
+"I feel like a dozen of 'em," shouted Mr. Bigelow in return. "But," he
+added with a slow wink, "this old fool is the daddy of 'em all. Go on,
+introduce me, or they'll bust something loose."
+
+Captain Jack took one step to the front of the platform and held up
+his hand. The cheering assumed an even greater violence, then ceased in
+sudden breathless silence.
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen," he said in a slightly bored voice, "this
+gentleman is Mr. Howard E. Bigelow, a representative of the American
+Federation of Labour, whom as a member of the Woodworkers' Union, Local
+197, I am anxious to hear if you don't mind."
+
+He bowed to the visitor, bowed to the audience once more swaying under a
+tempest of cheers, and, followed by McNish, made his way to his seat.
+
+From the first moment of his speech Mr. Howard E. Bigelow had to fight
+for a hearing. The little Cockney was the centre of a well-organised and
+thoroughly competent body of obstructers who by clever "heckling,"
+by points of order, by insistent questioning, by playing now upon the
+anti-American string, now upon the anti-Federation string, by ribald
+laughter, by cheering a happy criticism, completely checked every
+attempt of the speaker to take flight in his oratory. The International
+official was evidently an old hand in this sort of game, but in the
+hands of these past masters in the art of obstruction he met more than
+his match. Maitland was amazed at his patience, his self-control, his
+adroitness, but they were all in vain. At last he was forced to appeal
+to the Chairman for British fair play. But the Chairman was helplessly
+futile and his futility was only emphasised by Mr. Wigglesworth's
+attempts now at browbeating which were met with derision and again at
+entreaty which brought only demands for ruling on points of order, till
+the meeting was on the point of breaking up in confused disorder.
+
+"McNish, I think I'll take a hand in this," said Captain Jack in the
+Scotchman's ear. "Are you game?"
+
+"Wait a wee," said McNish, getting to his feet. Slowly he once more
+made his way to the platform. As the crowd caught on to his purpose they
+broke into cheering. When he reached the side of the speaker he spoke a
+word in his ear, then came to the front with his hand held up. There
+was instant quiet. He looked coolly over the excited, disintegrating
+audience for a moment or two.
+
+"A belonged tae the Feefty-fir-rst Diveesion," he said in his richest
+Doric. "We had a rare time wi' bullies over there. A'm for free speech!
+Noo, listen tae me, you Cockney wheedle doodle. Let another cheep out o'
+yere trap an' the Captain there will fling ye oot o' this room as we did
+the Kayser oot o' France."
+
+"You said it, McNish," said Maitland, leaping to the aisle. With a roar
+a dozen returned men were on their feet.
+
+"Steady, squad!" rang out Captain Jack's order. "Fall into this aisle!
+Shun!" As if on parade the soldiers fell into line behind their captain.
+
+"Macnamara!" he said, pointing to a huge Irishman.
+
+"Sir!" said Macnamara.
+
+"You see that little rat-faced chap?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Take your place beside him."
+
+With two steps Macnamara was beside his man.
+
+"Mr. Chairman, I protest," began the little Cockney fiercely.
+
+"Pass him up," said the Captain sharply.
+
+With one single motion Macnamara's hand swept the little man out of his
+place into the aisle.
+
+"Chuck him out!" said Captain Jack quietly.
+
+From hand to hand, with never a pause, amid the jeers and laughter of
+the crowd the little man was passed along like a bundle of old rags till
+he disappeared through the open door.
+
+"Who's next?" shouted Macnamara joyfully.
+
+"As you were!" came the sharp command.
+
+At once Macnamara stood at attention.
+
+Captain Jack nodded to the platform.
+
+"All right," he said quietly.
+
+Mr. Howard E. Bigelow finished his speech in peace. He made appeal for
+the closing up of the ranks of Labour in preparation for the big fight
+which was rapidly coming. They had just finished with Kaiserism in
+Europe but they were faced with only another form of the same spirit
+in their own land. They wanted no more fighting, God knew they had had
+enough of that, but there were some things dearer than peace, and Labour
+was resolved to get and to hold those things which they had fought for,
+"which you British and especially you Canadians shed so much blood to
+win. We are making no threats, but we are not going to stand for tyranny
+at the hands of any man or any class of men in this country. Only one
+thing will defeat us, not the traditional enemies of our class
+but disunion in our own ranks due to the fool tactics of a lot of
+disgruntled and discredited traitors like the man who has just been
+fired from this meeting." He asked for a committee which would take the
+whole situation in hand. He closed with a promise that in any struggle
+which they undertook under the guidance of their International Officers
+the American Federation of Labour to their last dollar would be behind
+them.
+
+Before the formal closing of the meeting Maitland slipped quietly out.
+As he reached the sidewalk a light hand touched his arm. Turning he
+saw at his elbow Annette, her face aglow and her black eyes ablaze with
+passionate admiration.
+
+"Oh, Captain Jack," she panted, her hands outstretched, "you were just
+wonderful! Splendid! Oh! I don't know what to say! I--" She paused in
+sudden confusion. A hot colour flamed in her face. Maitland took her
+hands in his.
+
+"Hello, Annette! I saw you there. Why! What's up, little girl?"
+
+A sudden rush of tears had filled her eyes.
+
+"Oh, nothing. I am just excited, I guess. I don't know what--" She
+pulled her hands away. "But you were great!" She laughed shrilly.
+
+"Oh, it was your friend McNish did the trick," said Captain Jack. "Very
+neat bit of work that, eh? Very neat indeed. Awfully clever chap! Are
+you going home now?"
+
+"No, I am waiting." She paused shyly.
+
+"Oh, I see!" said Captain Jack with a smile. "Lucky chap, by Jove!"
+
+"I am waiting for my father," said Annette, tossing her head.
+
+"Oh, then, if that's all, come along with me. Your father knows his way
+about." The girl paused a moment, hesitating. Then with a sudden resolve
+she cried gaily,
+
+"Well, I will. I want to talk to you about it. Oh, I am so excited!"
+She danced along at his side in gay abandon. As they turned at the first
+corner Maitland glanced over his shoulder.
+
+"Hello! Here's McNish," he cried, turning about. "Shall we wait for
+him?"
+
+"Oh, never mind Malcolm," cried the girl excitedly, "come along. I don't
+want him just now. I want--" She checked herself abruptly. "I want to
+talk to you."
+
+"Oh, all right," said Captain Jack. "He's gone back anyway. Come along
+Annette, old girl. I have been wanting to see you for a long time."
+
+"Well, you see me," said the girl, laughing up into his eyes with a
+frank, warm admiration in hers that made Captain Jack's heart quicken a
+bit in its steady beat. He was a young man with a normal appreciation of
+his own worth. She, young, beautiful, unspoiled, in the innocence of her
+girlish heart was flinging at him the full tribute of a warm, generous
+admiration with every flash of her black eyes and every intonation of
+her voice. Small wonder if Captain Jack found her good to look at and to
+listen to. Often during the walk home he kept saying to himself, "Jove,
+that McNish chap is a lucky fellow!" But McNish, taking his lonely way
+home, was only conscious that the evening had grown chilly and grey.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE DAY BEFORE
+
+
+Business was suspended for the day in Blackwater. That is, men went
+through their accustomed movements, but their thoughts were far apart
+from the matters that were supposed to occupy their minds during the
+working hours of the day. In the offices, in the stores, in the shops,
+on the streets, in the schools, in the homes the one, sole topic of
+conversation, the one mental obsession was The Great Game. Would the
+Maitland Mill Hockey Team pull it off? Blackwater was not a unit in
+desiring victory for the Maitland Mill team, for the reason that the
+team's present position of proud eminence in the hockey world of Eastern
+Ontario had been won by a series of smashing victories over local and
+neighbouring rival teams. They had first disposed of that snappy seven
+of lightning lightweights, the local High School team, the champions
+in their own League. They had smashed their way through the McGinnis
+Foundry Seven in three Homeric contests. This victory attracted
+the notice of the Blackwater Black Eagles, the gay and dashing
+representatives of Blackwater's most highly gilded stratum of society,
+a clever, hard-fighting, never-dying group of athletes who, summer and
+winter, kept themselves in perfect form, and who had moved rapidly out
+of obscurity into the dazzling spotlight of championship over their
+district. For the sake of the practice in it and in preparation for
+their games in the Eastern Ontario Hockey League, they took on the
+Maitland Mill team.
+
+It took the Black Eagles a full week to recover sufficient control to be
+able to speak intelligibly as to the "how" and "why" of that match. For
+the Mill team with apparent ease passed in thirteen goals under and over
+and behind and beside the big broad goal stick of Bell Blackwood, the
+goal wonder of the League; and the single register for the Eagles had
+been netted by Fatty Findlay's own stick in a moment of aberration.
+During the week following the Black Eagle debacle the various Bank
+managers, Law Office managers and other financial magnates of the town
+were lenient with their clerks. Social functions were abandoned. The
+young gentlemen had one continuous permanent and unbreakable engagement
+at the rink or in preparation for it. But all was in vain. The result
+of the second encounter was defeat for the Eagles, defeat utter,
+unmistakable and inexplicable except on the theory that they had met a
+superior team. Throughout the hockey season the Maitland Mill maintained
+an unbroken record of victory till their fame flew far; and at the close
+of the season enthusiasts of the game had arranged a match between the
+winners of the Eastern Ontario Hockey League, the renowned Cornwall team
+and the Maitland Mill boys. To-day the Cornwalls were in town, and the
+town in consequence was quite unfit for the ordinary duties of life.
+The Eagles almost to a man were for the local team; for they were sports
+true to type. Not so however their friends and following, who resented
+defeat of their men at the hands of a working class team.
+
+Of course it was Jack Maitland who was responsible for their
+humiliation. It was he who had organised his fellow workmen, put them
+through a blood and iron discipline, filled them with his own spirit of
+irresistible furious abandon in attack which carried them to victory.
+
+It was an old game with Jack Maitland. When a High School boy he had
+developed that spirit of dominating and indomitable leadership that had
+made his team the glory of the town. Later by sound and steady grinding
+at the game he had developed a style and plan of team play which had
+produced a town team in the winter immediately preceding the war that
+had won championship honors. Now with his Mill team he was simply
+repeating his former achievements.
+
+It had astonished his friends to learn that Captain Jack was playing
+hockey again. He had played no game except in a desultory way since the
+war. He had resisted the united efforts of the Eagles and their women
+friends to take the captaincy of that team. The mere thought of ever
+appearing on the ice in hockey uniform gave him a sick feeling at his
+heart. Of that noble seven whom he had in pre-war days led so often to
+victory four were still "over there," one was wandering round a
+darkened room. Of the remaining two, one Rupert Stillwell was too deeply
+engrossed in large financial affairs for hockey. Captain Jack himself
+was the seventh, and the mere sight of a hockey stick on a school boy's
+shoulder gave him a heart stab.
+
+It was his loyal pal Patricia Templeton, who gave him the first impulse
+toward the game again. To her pleading he had yielded so far as to
+coach, on a Saturday afternoon, her team of High School girls to
+victory. But it was the Reverend Murdo Matheson who furnished the spur
+to conscience that resulted in the organising of the Maitland Mill team.
+
+"You, John Maitland, more than any of us and more than all of us
+together can draw these lads of yours from the pool rooms and worse,"
+the Reverend Murdo had said one day in early winter.
+
+"Great Scott, Padre"--the Reverend Murdo had done his bit
+overseas--"what are you giving me now?"
+
+"You, more than any or all of us, I am saying," repeated the minister
+solemnly. "For God's sake, man, get these lads on the ice or anywhere
+out-of-doors for the good of their immortal souls."
+
+"Me! And why me, pray?" Captain Jack had asked. "I'm no uplifter. Why
+jump on me?"
+
+"You, because God has bestowed on you the gift to lead men," said the
+minister with increasing solemnity. "A high gift it is, and one for
+which God will hold you responsible."
+
+That very night, passing by the Lucky Strike Pool Rooms, Captain Jack
+had turned in to find a score and more of youths--many of them from the
+mills--flashing their money with reckless freedom in an atmosphere thick
+with foul tobacco-smoke and reeking with profane and lewd speech. On
+reaching his home that night Maitland went straight to the attic and dug
+up his hockey kit. Before he slept he had laid his plans for a league
+among the working lads in the various industries in the town.
+
+It was no easy task to force these men into training habits, to hold
+them to the grind, to discipline them into self-control in temper and
+in desire. It was of vast assistance to him that three of his seven
+were overseas men, while some dozen or so of the twenty in the club were
+returned soldiers. It was part of his discipline that his team should
+never shirk a day's work for the game except on the rare occasions
+when they went on tour. Hence the management in the various mills
+and factories, at first hostile and suspicious, came to regard these
+athletic activities on the part of their employees with approval and
+finally came to give encouragement and support to the games.
+
+To-day was a half holiday for the Maitland Mills and the streets were
+noticeably full of the men and their sweethearts and wives in their
+Sunday clothes. Not the team, however. Maitland knew better than that.
+He took his men for a run in the country before noon, bringing them
+home in rich warm glow. Then after a bath and a hard rubdown they dined
+together at the mill and then their Captain ordered them home to sleep,
+forbidding them the streets till they were on their way to the game.
+
+On his way home Captain Jack was waylaid by his admirer and champion,
+Patricia. She, standing in front of his car, brought him to a halt.
+
+"I have not even seen you for a whole week," she complained, getting in
+beside him, "and your phone is always busy in the evening. Of course no
+one can get you during the day. And I do want to know how the team is.
+Oh! do tell me they are fit for the game of their lives! Are they every
+one fit?"
+
+"Fit and fine."
+
+"And will they win?"
+
+"Sure thing," said Captain Jack quietly.
+
+"Oh, I hope you are right. But you are so sure," exclaimed his
+companion. "The Cornwalls are wonderful, Rupert says."
+
+"He would."
+
+"Oh! I forgot you don't think much of Rupert," sighed Patricia.
+
+"I haven't time, you see," answered Captain Jack gravely.
+
+"Oh, you know what I mean. It is a pity, too, for he is really very
+nice. I mean he is so good to me," sighed Patricia again.
+
+"Don't sigh, Patsy, old girl. It really isn't worth it, you know. How is
+the supply of choc's keeping up?"
+
+"Now you are thinking me a pig. But tell me about your men. Are they
+really in form?"
+
+"Absolutely at the peak."
+
+"And that darling Fatty Findlay. I do hope he will not lose his head and
+let a goal in. He is perfectly adorable with that everlasting smile of
+his. I do hope Fatty is at the peak, too. Is he, really?" The anxiety in
+Patricia's tone was more than painful.
+
+"Dear Patsy, he is right at the pinnacle."
+
+"Captain Jack, if you don't win to-night I shall--well, I shall just
+weep my eyes out."
+
+"That settles it, Pat. We shall win. We can't--I can't spare those
+lovely eyes, you know," said Captain Jack, smiling at her.
+
+One by one Captain Jack's team were passed in review--the defence,
+Macnamara and "Jack" Johnson, so called for his woolly white head;
+"Reddy" Hughes, Ross, "Snoopy" Sykes, who with Captain Jack made the
+forward line, all were declared to be fit to deliver the last ounce in
+their bodies, the last flicker in their souls.
+
+"Do you know, Captain Jack," said Patricia gravely, "there is one change
+you ought to make in your forward line."
+
+"Yes! What is that, Pat?" asked Captain Jack, with never a suggestion of
+a smile.
+
+"I would change Snoopy for Geordie Ross. You know Geordie is a little
+too careful, and he is hardly fast enough for you. Now you and Snoopy on
+left wing would be oh! perfectly wonderful."
+
+"Patsy, you are a wizard!" exclaimed Captain Jack. "That very change has
+been made and the improvement is unbelievable. We are both left-handers
+and we pull off our little specialties far more smoothly than Geordie
+and I could. You have exactly hit the bull. You watch for that back
+of the goal play to-night. Well, here we are. You have good seats, I
+understand."
+
+"Oh, yes. Rupert, you see, as patron of the Eagles was able to get the
+very best. But won't you come in and see mother? She is really quite
+worked up over it, though of course she couldn't bear to go."
+
+Captain Jack checked the refusal on his lips.
+
+"Yes, I will go in for a few minutes," he said gravely. "No! Your mother
+would not--could not come, of course."
+
+There flashed before his mind a picture from pre-war days. The rink
+packed with wildly excited throngs and in a certain reserved section
+midway down the side the Templeton-Maitland party with its distinguished
+looking men and beautiful women following with eager faces and shining
+eyes the fortunes of their sons in the fight before them. The flash
+of that picture was like a hand of ice upon his heart as Captain Jack
+entered the cosy living room.
+
+"Here he is, Mamma!" cried Patricia as she ushered her hero into the
+room with a sweeping gesture. "And he brings the most cheering news.
+They are going to win!"
+
+"But how delightful!" exclaimed Adrien coming from the piano where she
+had been playing, with Rupert Stillwell turning her music for her.
+
+"I suppose upon the best authority," said Stillwell, grinning at
+Patricia.
+
+"We are so glad you found time to run in," said Mrs. Templeton. "You
+must have a great deal to say to your team on the last afternoon."
+
+"I'm glad I came too, now," said Captain Jack, holding the fragile hand
+in his and patting it gently. "I am afraid Patricia is responsible for
+my coming in. I don't really believe I could have ventured on my own."
+
+A silence fell on the company which none of them seemed able to break.
+Other days were hard upon them. In this very room it was that that
+other seven were wont to meet for their afternoon tea before their great
+matches.
+
+Mrs. Templeton, looking up at Jack, found his eyes fixed upon her and
+full of tears. With a swift upward reach of her arms she caught him and
+drew his head to her breast.
+
+"I know, Jack dear," she said, with lips that quivered piteously. For a
+moment or two he knelt before her while she held him in a close embrace.
+Then he gently kissed her cheek and rose to his feet.
+
+"Give him some tea, Adrien," she said, making a gallant struggle to
+steady her voice, "a cup of tea--and no cake. I remember, you see," she
+added with a tremulous smile.
+
+Adrien came back quickly from the window.
+
+"Yes! a fresh cup!" she cried eagerly, "and a sandwich. You, Pat,
+get the sandwiches. No cake. We must do nothing to imperil the coming
+victory."
+
+"You have a wonderful team, Jack, I hear," said her mother. "Come and
+sit here beside me and tell me about them. Patricia has been keeping me
+informed, but she is not very coherent at times. Of course, I know about
+your wonderful goal keeper Findlay, is it not?" And the gentle little
+lady kept a stream of conversation going, for she saw how deeply moved
+Maitland was. It was his first visit to the Rectory since he had taken
+up the game again, and the rush of emotion released by the vivid memory
+of those old happy days when that jolly group of boys had filled this
+familiar room with their noisy clatter wellnigh overcame him.
+
+For a minute or two he fussed with the tea things till he could master
+his voice, then he said very quietly:
+
+"They are very decent chaps--really very good fellows and they have
+taken their training extraordinarily well. Of course, Macnamara and
+Johnson were in my old company, and that helps a lot."
+
+"Yes, I remember Macnamara quite well. He is a fine big Irishman."
+
+"Fancy you remembering him, Mrs. Templeton," said Captain Jack.
+
+"Of course, I remember him. He is one of our boys."
+
+"Let's see, he is one of your defence, isn't he?" said Stillwell, who
+had felt himself rather out of the conversation. Maitland nodded. The
+presence of Stillwell in that room introduced a painful element. Once he
+had been one of the seven and though never so intimately associated with
+the Rectory life as the others, yet at all team gatherings he had had
+his place. But since the war Maitland had never been able to endure his
+presence in that room. To-day, with the memory of those old thrilling
+days pressing hard upon his heart, he could not bear to look upon a man,
+once one of them, now forever an outsider. The tea coming in brought to
+Maitland relief.
+
+"Ah, here you are," he cried anticipating Stillwell in relieving Adrien
+of part of her load. "You are a life saver. Tea is the thing for this
+hour."
+
+"Three lumps, is it not?" said the girl, smiling at him. "You see, I
+remember, though you really don't deserve it. And here is Pat with the
+sandwiches."
+
+"Yes! a whole plate for yourself, Captain Jack," said Patricia. "Come
+and sit by me here."
+
+"No indeed!" said her sister with a bright glow on her cheeks. "Jack is
+going to sit right here by the tea-pot, and me," she added, throwing him
+a swift glance.
+
+"No! you are both wrong, children," said their mother. "Jack is coming
+to sit beside me. He's my boy this afternoon."
+
+"Mother, we will all share him," said Patricia, placing chairs near her
+mother. "I must talk about the match, I simply must."
+
+A shadow for a moment wiped the brightness from the face and eyes of
+the elder sister, but yielding to her mother's appeal, she joined the
+circle, saying to Maitland,
+
+"I don't believe you want to talk about the match, do you? That is not
+supposed to be good psychology before a match. What you really want is a
+good sleep. Isn't that right?"
+
+"He has just sent his men off to bed, I know," said Patricia, "and we
+will send him off when he has had his tea."
+
+"I am so glad you are playing again," said Mrs. Templeton to Maitland
+as he sat down by her side. "You need more recreation than you have been
+taking, I believe."
+
+A shadow crossed Maitland's face.
+
+"I don't believe I need recreation very much, but these chaps of mine
+do," he said simply.
+
+"The workmen, you mean!"
+
+"Yes. They lead rather a dull life, you know. Not much colour. A pool
+room on the whole has rather a rotten effect upon a chap who has been
+nine or ten hours indoors already and who sticks at the same thing day
+in and day out for months at a time."
+
+"Ah, I see. You mean you took up hockey for--ah--to help--"
+
+"Well, I don't want to pose as a workingman's advocate and that sort of
+thing. But really he has a slow time."
+
+"Then, why doesn't he get busy and do something for himself," broke in
+Stillwell, impatiently. "The Lord knows he is getting most of the money
+these days and has more spare time than anyone else in the community."
+
+But Maitland ignored him, till Patricia intervened.
+
+"Tell me about that," she demanded.
+
+"Look here!" said her sister. "You are not going to get Jack into a
+labour controversy this afternoon. But I would just like to ask you,
+Pat, how keen you'd be on organising and conducting a Literary and
+Debating Society after you had put in not five and a half hours'
+lessons, but eight or nine hours'! It would take some doing, eh? But
+let's cut out the labour trouble. It is nearly time for his sleep, isn't
+it?"
+
+"Is it, Captain Jack? If so, we won't keep you a minute," said Patricia
+anxiously. "No, mother! you must not keep him. He must be on tip-toe
+to-night."
+
+Captain Jack rose. "Patricia would make an ideal trainer," he said. "I
+fear I must really go. I am awfully glad to have come in and seen you
+all. Somehow I feel a whole lot better."
+
+"And so do we, Jack," said the old lady in a wistful voice. "Won't you
+come again soon?"
+
+Maitland hesitated a moment, glancing at Adrien.
+
+"Oh, do!" said the girl, with a little colour coming into her face. "It
+has been a little like old times to see you this way."
+
+"Yes, hasn't it?" said Stillwell. "Awfully jolly."
+
+Maitland stiffened and turned again to the old lady whose eyes were
+turned on him with sad entreaty.
+
+"Yes, I shall come to see you," said Maitland, bowing over her hand in
+farewell.
+
+"We shall expect you to come and see us to-night at the match, remember,
+Captain Jack," said Patricia, as he passed out of the room. "Now be sure
+to go and have your sleep."
+
+But there was no sleep that afternoon for Captain Jack. On his way
+through the town he was halted by McNish.
+
+"The boys want to see you," he said briefly.
+
+"What boys? What do you mean, McNish?"
+
+"At the rooms. Will you come down now?"
+
+"Now? I can't come now, McNish. I have to be on the ice in three hours
+and I must get a little rest. What's up, anyway? Tell them I'll see them
+to-morrow."
+
+"No! they want you now!" said McNish firmly. "I would advise that you
+come."
+
+"What do you mean, McNish? Well, get in here and I'll go to see them."
+McNish got into the car. "Now, what's all the mystery?"
+
+"Better wait," said McNish, grimly.
+
+"Well, it is a dog's trick," said Maitland wrathfully, "to get on to a
+chap before a big match like this."
+
+In the Union Committee rooms a group of men were awaiting them, among
+them Mr. Wigglesworth and the little cockney who had made himself so
+obnoxious at the public meeting.
+
+"What's all this tomfoolery, Wigglesworth?" demanded Captain Jack,
+striding in among them.
+
+"(H)excuse me," said the little cockney. "You are a member of the
+Woodworkers' Union I (h)understand."
+
+"Who the devil are you, may I ask?" said Maitland in a rage.
+
+"(H)allow me," said Mr. Wigglesworth. "Mister Simmons, Mr. Maitland--Mr.
+Simmons is our new secretary, (h)elected last meetin'."
+
+"Well, what do you want of me?" demanded Maitland. "Don't you know I am
+tied up this afternoon?"
+
+"Tied (h)up?" asked Simmons coolly, "'ow?"
+
+"With the match, confound you."
+
+"Oh, the match! And w'at match may that be? (H)Anythin' to do with your
+Union?"
+
+Maitland glared at him, too dumfounded to speak.
+
+"You see, Mr. Maitland," began Mr. Wigglesworth in a hurried and
+apologetic manner.
+
+"'Ere! you keep aht o' this," said Simmons sharply, "this 'ere's my job.
+I shall tell Brother Maitland all that is necessary."
+
+"I was only going to (h)explain--" began Mr. Wigglesworth.
+
+"Naw then! IS this your job or mine? Was you (h)appointed or was I?
+When I find myself (h)unable to discharge my dooty to the Union I might
+per'aps call on you, Brother Wigglesworth; but until I find myself
+in that situation I 'ope you will refrain from shovin' in your 'orn."
+Brother Simmons' sarcasm appeared to wither Brother Wigglesworth into
+silence.
+
+"Naw then, Brother Maitland, we shall get (h)on."
+
+Maitland glanced round on the group of half a dozen men. Some of them he
+knew; others were strangers to him.
+
+"I don't know what the business is, gentlemen," he said, curbing his
+wrath, "but I want to know if it can't wait till to-morrow? You know our
+boys are going on the ice in a couple of hours or so--"
+
+"Goin' on the (h)ice! Goin' on the (h)ice! W'at's that to do with Union
+business?" snarled Simmons. "This 'ere's no silly kids' gaime! It's a
+man's work we ave in 'and, if you don't want to do the business to w'ich
+you are (h)appointed w'y just say so and we shall know 'ow to (h)act.
+There 'as been too much o' this gaime business to suit me. If we are men
+let us (h)act like men."
+
+"Better get on wi' it," said McNish curtly.
+
+"I shall get on w'en I am good and ready, Brother McNish," answered
+Simmons.
+
+"All r-r-right, brother, but A doot ye're oot o' order. Who is the
+chairman o' this Committee?" asked McNish calmly.
+
+"Brother Phillips," answered two or three voices.
+
+"All right. I suggest you proceed regularly and call the meeting to
+order," said McNish quietly. Simmons, recognising that it was Greek
+meeting Greek, agreed to this.
+
+Clumsily and hesitatingly Brother Phillips began stating the business of
+the Committee. He had not gone far before Simmons interrupted.
+
+"Mr. Chairman, with your permission I would just like to say that the
+resolution passed at the representative joint meetin' of the Maitland
+Mills and Box Factory (h)employees last night will sufficiently
+(h)explain the (h)object of this meetin' 'ere." Brother Simmons' tone
+suggested infinite pity for the lumbering efforts of the chairman.
+
+"Yes, I guess it will," said the chairman, blushing in his confusion.
+Brother Phillips was new to his position and its duties.
+
+"I would suggest that that resolution be read," said Brother Simmons,
+the pity in his tone hardly veiling his contempt.
+
+"Yes! Yes! Of course!" said Brother Phillips hurriedly. "Eh--would you
+please read it, Mr.--that is--Brother Simmons?"
+
+With great show of deliberation and of entire mastery of the situation
+Mr. Simmons produced a Minute Book and began:
+
+"Mr. Chairman and brothers, I may say that this 'ere resolution was
+passed at a joint representative meetin' of all the (h)employees of the
+Maitland Company--"
+
+"There is no sich company, Mr. Chairman," said McNish. "A say let us
+hear the resolution. We'll hear the speech afterwards if we must."
+It was again Greek meeting Greek, and the little man turned with a
+sarcastic smile to McNish.
+
+"I suppose Brother McNish is (h)anxious to get ready for this gaime
+we've bin 'earing abaht. I should just like to remind 'im that we 'ave
+a bigger gaime on 'and, if 'e wants to get into it. Personally I
+don't 'ave no use for these 'ere gaimes. I 'ave seen the same kind of
+capitalistic dodge to distract the workin' man's (h)attention from 'is
+real gaime in life. These circumventions--"
+
+"Maister Chair-r-man! A rise--"
+
+"Mr. Chairman, I 'ave the floor and if Brother McNish knows (h)anythink
+abaht constitootional proceedin's--"
+
+"Maister Chair-r-man--Maister-r Chair-r-r-man!" Brother McNish's Doric
+was ominously rasping. "A rise tae a pint of or-r-de-r-r. And Brother
+Simmons, who claims to be an expert in constitutional law and procedure
+knows I have the floor. Ma pint of order is this, that there is no
+business before the meeting and as apparently only aboot half the
+members are absent--"
+
+"And 'oo's fault is that? 'E was to get them 'isself," shouted Mr.
+Simmons.
+
+"A searched the toon for them but cudna find them, but as A was
+sayin'--as the secretary has no business tae bring before the meeting
+but a wheen havers, A move we adjourn tae tomorrow at 12:30 p. m. in
+this place, and I believe that as Brither Maitland is also a member o'
+this committee he will second the motion."
+
+Maitland, not knowing in the least what the whole thing was about, but
+seeing a way out of the present mix-up, promptly seconded the motion.
+
+"Mr. Chairman!" shouted Simmons. "I am prepared to--"
+
+"Maister Chair-r-man, A need not remind you that there is no discussion
+on a motion to adjourn."
+
+"That is quite right," said the chairman, in whose memory by some
+obscure mental process this fact seemed to have found a lodging.
+
+"It is moved that this committee do now adjourn."
+
+"Mr. Chairman! I protest," shrieked Brother Simmons frantically.
+
+"Ay, he's a grand protester!" said Brother McNish.
+
+The motion was carried by a majority of one, Brothers Wigglesworth,
+McNish and Maitland voting in the affirmative.
+
+"Traitors!" shrieked Brother Simmons. "Capitalistic traitors!"
+
+"Hoot mon! Ye're no in Hyde Park. Save yere breath for yere porritch the
+morn--" said McNish, relaxing into a grim smile as he left the rooms.
+
+"We'll get 'im," said Simmons to his ally and friend. "'E's in with that
+there young pup. 'E knows 'ow to work 'im and 'e'd sell us all up, 'e
+would." Brother Simmons' brand of profanity strongly savoured of the
+London pavements in its picturesque fluency.
+
+"Get in here, McNish," said Maitland, who was waiting at the door. With
+some hesitation McNish accepted the invitation.
+
+"Now, what does this mean?" said Maitland savagely, then checking his
+rage, "but I ought to thank you for getting me out of the grip of that
+frantic idiot. What is this fool thing?"
+
+"It's nae that," said McNish shortly. "It is anything but that. But I
+grant ye this was no time to bring it on. That was beyond me. A doot yon
+puir cratur had a purpose in it, however. He disna--does not think
+much of these games of yours. But that's anither--another"--McNish was
+careful of his speech--"matter."
+
+"But what in--"
+
+"I am just telling you. There is a strong, a very strong movement under
+way among the unions at present."
+
+"A movement? Strike, do you mean?"
+
+"It may be, or worse." McNish's tone was very grave. "And as a good
+union man they expect your assistance."
+
+"Wages again?"
+
+"Ay, and condeetions and the like."
+
+"But it is not six months since the last agreement was signed and that
+agreement is running still."
+
+"Ay, it is, but condeetions, conditions have changed since that date,"
+said McNish, "and there must be readjustment--at least, there is a
+feeling that way."
+
+"Readjustment? But I have had no hint of this in our meetings. This has
+not come up for discussion."
+
+A gentle pity smiled from the rugged face of the man beside him.
+
+"Hardly," he said. "It's no done that way."
+
+They came to McNish's door.
+
+"Will you come in?" he said courteously. A refusal was at Maitland's
+lips when the door was opened by an old lady in a white frilled cap and
+without being able to explain how it came about he found himself in the
+quaintly furnished but delightfully cosy living-room, soaking in the
+comfort of a great blazing fire.
+
+"This is really solid comfort," he said, spreading his hands to the
+glowing pine slabs.
+
+"Ay, ye need it the day. The fire cheers the heart," said the old lady.
+
+"But you don't need it for that, Mrs. McNish," said her visitor, smiling
+at the strong, serene face under the white frilled cap.
+
+"Do I not then? An' what aboot yersel'?" The keen grey eye searched his
+face. Maitland was immediately conscious of a vast dreariness in his
+life. He sat silent looking into the blazing fire.
+
+"Ay," continued the old lady, "but there are the bright spots tae, an'
+it's ill tae glower at a cauld hearth stone." Maitland glanced quickly
+at the shrewd and kindly face. What did she know about him and his life
+and his "cauld hearth stone"? So he said nothing but waited. Suddenly
+she swerved to another theme.
+
+"Malcolm," she said, "have ye secured the tickets for the match?"
+
+"Aw, mither, now it is the terrible auld sport ye are. She drags me out
+to all these things." His eyes twinkled at Maitland. "I can't find time
+for any study."
+
+"Hoots ye and ye're study. A doot a rale heartening scramble on the ice
+wad dae ye mair guid than an oor wi' yon godless Jew buddie."
+
+"She means Marx, of course," said McNish, in answer to Maitland's look
+of perplexity. "She has no use for him."
+
+"But the tickets, Malcolm," insisted his mother.
+
+"Well, mither, A'll confess I clean forgot them. Ye see," he hurried to
+say, "A was that fashed over yon Committee maitter--"
+
+"Committee maitter!" exclaimed the old lady indignantly. "Did I not
+tell ye no to heed yon screamin' English cratur wi' his revolutionary
+nonsense?"
+
+"She means Simmons," interjected Malcolm with a little smile. "He means
+well, mither, but A'm vexed aboot the tickets."
+
+"Mrs. McNish," said Maitland, "I happen to have two tickets that I can
+let you have." For an instant she hesitated.
+
+"We can find a way in, I think, Mr. Maitland," said Malcolm,
+forestalling his mother's answer. But with simple dignity his mother put
+him aside.
+
+"A shall be verra pleased indeed to have the tickets, provided you can
+spare them, Mr. Maitland. Never mind, noo, Malcolm. A ken well
+what ye're thinkin'. He's gey independent and his mind is on thae
+revolutionary buddies o' his. A'm aye tellin' him this is nae land for
+yon nonsense. Gin we were in Rooshie, or Germany whaur the people have
+lived in black slavery or even in the auld land whaur the fowk are
+haudden doon wi' generations o' class bondage, there might be a chance
+for a revolutionary. But what can ye dae in a land whaur the fowk are
+aye climbin' through ither, noo up, noo down, noo maister, noo man?
+Ye canna make Canadians revolutionaries. They are a' on the road to be
+maisters. Malcolm is a clever loon but he has a wee bee in his bonnet."
+The old lady smiled quizzically at her big, serious-faced son.
+
+"Noo, mither, ye're just talkin' havers," he said. "My mother is as
+great a Socialist as I am."
+
+"Ay, but A keep ma heid."
+
+"That ye do, mither. Ye're gey cannie," replied her son, shaking his
+head, and so they passed the word to and fro, and Maitland sat listening
+to the chat. The delightful spirit of camaraderie between mother and son
+reminded him of a similar relationship between mother and sons in his
+own home in pre-war days. He could not tear himself away. It was well on
+to his dinner hour before he rose to go.
+
+"You have given me a delightful hour, Mrs. McNish," he said as he shook
+hands. "You made me think of my own home in the old days,--I mean before
+the war came and smashed everything." The old lady's eyes were kindly
+scanning his face.
+
+"Ay, the war smashed yere hame?" Maitland nodded in silence.
+
+"His brither," said Malcolm, quietly.
+
+"Puir laddie," she said, patting his hand.
+
+"And my mother," added Maitland, speaking with difficulty, "and that, of
+course, meant our home--and everything. So I thank you for a very happy
+hour," he added with a smile.
+
+"Wad ye care to come again?" said the old lady with a quiet dignity.
+"We're plain fowk but ye'll be always welcome."
+
+"I just will, Mrs. McNish. And I will send you the tickets."
+
+"Man! I wish ye grand luck the night. A grand victory."
+
+"Thank you. We are going to make a try for it," said Maitland. "You must
+shout for us."
+
+"Ay, wull I," she answered grimly. And she kept her word for of all the
+company that made up the Maitland party, none was more conspicuously
+enthusiastic in applause than was a white-haired old lady in a
+respectable black bonnet whose wild and weird Doric expletives and
+exclamations were the joy of the whole party about her.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE NIGHT OF VICTORY
+
+
+It was an hour after the match. They were gathered in the old rendezvous
+of the hockey teams in pre-war days. And they were all wildly excited
+over the Great Victory.
+
+"Just think of it, Mamma, dear," Patricia shouted, pirouetting now on
+one foot and then on the other, "Eight to six! Oh, it is too glorious to
+believe! And against that wonderful team, the Cornwalls! Now listen to
+me, while I give you a calm and connected account of the game. I shall
+always regret that you were not present, Mamma. Victory! And at half
+time we were down, five to two! I confess disaster and despair stared me
+in the face. And we started off so gloriously! Captain Jack and Snoopy
+in the first five minutes actually put in two goals, with that back goal
+play of theirs. You know, I explained it to you, Mamma."
+
+"Yes, dear, I know," said her mother, "but if you will speak a little
+more quietly and slowly--"
+
+"I will, Mamma," said her daughter, sitting down with great
+deliberation, in front of her. "I will explain to you again that 'round
+the goal' play."
+
+"I am afraid, my dear, that I could hardly grasp just what you mean."
+
+"Well, never mind, Mamma. It is a particular and special play that
+Captain Jack worked out. They rush down to the goal and instead of
+trying to shoot, the one with the puck circles round the back and
+delivers the puck immediately in front of the goal, where another takes
+and slips it in. Two goals in about five minutes, wasn't it, Hugh?"
+
+"About eight minutes, I should say," replied Hugh Maynard, the big
+Captain of the Eagles.
+
+"Well, eight minutes," continued Patricia, taking up the tale, "and then
+they began the roughhouse business. Jumbo Larson--a terribly big Swede,
+Mamma--put it all over little Snoopy. Chucked him about, wiped the ice
+with him!"
+
+"My dear!" exclaimed her mother.
+
+"Well, you know what I mean. A great big, two-hundred-pound monster, who
+simply threw Snoopy and Georgie Ross all about the rink. It took Captain
+Jack all his time to stand up against him. And then they ran in goals
+at a perfectly terrific rate. Two--three--four--five! And only Fatty
+Findlay's marvelous play kept down the score. I adore Fatty! You know,
+Mamma, that dear old Scotchwoman--"
+
+"Scotchwoman?" exclaimed Mrs. Templeton.
+
+"Yes. Oh! you don't know about her. Captain Jack brought her along. Mrs.
+Mc-something."
+
+"McNish," supplied Adrien.
+
+"Yes, McNish," continued Patricia, "a perfect dear! She did everything
+but swear. Indeed, she may have been swearing for I could not understand
+half of what she said."
+
+Adrien interrupted: "She is perfectly priceless, Mother. I wish you
+could meet her--so dignified and sweet."
+
+"Sweet!" exclaimed Patricia, with a laugh. "Well, I didn't see the
+sweetness, exactly. But at half time, Mamma, fancy! they stood five to
+two against us. It was a truly awful moment for all of us. And then,
+after half time, didn't those Cornwalls within five minutes run in
+another goal, and, worse than all, Jumbo Larson laid out Snoopy flat on
+the ice! Now the game stood six to two! Think of it, Mamma!"
+
+Then Adrien put in: "It was at this point that the old lady made a
+remark which, I believe, saved the day. What was it exactly, Hugh?"
+
+"I didn't quite get it."
+
+"I know," said little Vic Forsythe, himself a star of the Eagle forward
+line. "You poor Sassenach! You couldn't be expected to catch the full,
+fine flavour of it. Maitland was trying to cheer the old lady up when
+she said to him: 'Yon half backs, A'm thinkin''--she was a soccer fan
+in the old land, I believe--'yon half backs, A'm thinkin', are gey
+confident. It is a peety they cudna be shaken a bit in their nerves.' By
+Jove! Maitland jumped at it. 'Mrs. McNish, you're right! you're right. I
+wonder I did not think of it before.'"
+
+Then Adrien broke in: "Yes, from that moment there was a change in our
+men's tactics."
+
+Then Patricia broke in: "Well, then, let me go on. Captain Jack knew
+quite well there was no use of allowing those little chaps, Snoopy and
+Geordie Ross, to keep feeding themselves to those horrid monsters, Jumbo
+Larson and Macnab, so what did they do but move up 'Jack' Johnson and
+Macnamara. That is, you see, Mamma, the forwards would take down the
+puck and then up behind them would come the backs, Macnamara and 'Jack'
+Johnson, like a perfect storm, and taking the puck from the forwards,
+who would then fall back to defence, would smash right on the Cornwall
+defence. The very first time when 'Jack' Johnson came against Jumbo,
+Jumbo found himself sitting on the ice. Oh! it was lovely! Perfectly
+lovely! And the next time they did it, Jumbo came at him like a bull.
+But that adorable 'Jack' Johnson just lifted him clear off his feet and
+flung him against the side. It seemed to me that the whole rink shook!"
+
+Here Vic broke in: "You didn't hear what the old lady said at this
+point, I suppose. I was sitting next to her. She was really a whole play
+by herself. When Jumbo went smashing against the side, the old lady gave
+a grunt. 'Hum, that wull sort ye a doot.' Oh! she is a peach!"
+
+"And the next time they came down," cried Patricia, taking up the tale
+again, "Jumbo avoided him. For Macnamara, 'Jack' Johnson and Captain
+Jack came roaring down the ice at a terrific pace, and with never a
+stop, smashed head on into Jumbo and Macnab and fairly hurled them in
+on Hepburn--that is their goal keeper, you know--and scored. Oh! Oh! Oh!
+Such a yell! Six to three, and ten minutes to play."
+
+"But Patricia," said Mrs. Templeton, "do moderate your tone. We are not
+in the rink. And this terrible excitement can't be good for you."
+
+"Good for me?" cried Patricia. "What difference does that make? Ten
+minutes to play, Mamma! But that was the end of the roughhouse game by
+the Cornwall defence."
+
+Then Hugh stepped in: "It really did break up that defence. It was a
+wonderful piece of generalship, I must say. They never seemed to get
+together after that."
+
+"Let me talk, Hugh," exclaimed Patricia, "I want to tell Mamma what
+happened next, for this was really the most terribly exciting part of
+the game. And I think it was awfully clever of Captain Jack. You know,
+next time, Mamma, when they came down--I mean our men--they pretended to
+be playing the same game, but they weren't. For Captain Jack and Snoopy
+went back to their old specialty, and before the Cornwalls knew where
+they were at, they ran in three goals--one-two-three, just like that!
+Oh! you ought to have seen that rink, Mamma, and you ought to have heard
+the yelling! I wish you had been there! And then, just at that last goal
+didn't that horrid Jumbo make a terrible and cruel swing at Snoopy's
+ankle, just as he passed. Knocked him clean off his feet so that poor
+Snoopy lay on the ice quite still! He was really nearly killed. They had
+to carry him off!"
+
+"Well, I wouldn't say that exactly," said Hugh. "The fact of the matter
+is, Snoopy is a clever little beggar and I happened to catch his wink as
+Maitland was bending over him. I was helping him off the ice, you know,
+and I heard him whisper, 'Don't worry, Captain, I'm all right. Get me
+another pair of skates. It will take a little time.'"
+
+"Do you mean he wasn't hurt?" exclaimed Patricia indignantly. "Indeed he
+was; he was almost killed, I am sure he was."
+
+"Oh, he was hurt right enough," said Hugh, "but he wasn't killed by any
+means!"
+
+"And then," continued Patricia, "there was the most terrible riot and
+uproar. Everybody seemed to be on the ice and fighting. Hugh ran in,
+and Vic--I should loved to have gone myself--Hugh was perfectly
+splendid--and all the Eagles were there and--"
+
+Then Mrs. Templeton said: "What do you mean--a fight, a riot?"
+
+"A real riot, Mother," said Adrien, "the whole crowd demanding Jumbo's
+removal from the ice."
+
+"Yes," continued Patricia impatiently, pushing her sister aside, "Hugh
+went straight to the umpire and it looked almost as though he was going
+to fight, the way he tore in. But he didn't. He just spoke quietly to
+the umpire. What did you say, Hugh?"
+
+"Oh," cried Vic, "Hugh was perfectly calm and superior. He knows the
+umpire well. Indeed, I think the umpire owes his life to Hugh and his
+protecting band of Eagles."
+
+"What did he say," cried Patricia. "I wish I could have heard that."
+
+"Oh," said Vic, "there was an interesting conversation. 'Keep out of
+this, Maynard. You ought to know better,' the umpire said, 'keep out.'
+'Baker, that man Larson must go off.' 'Rubbish,' said the umpire, 'they
+were both roughing it.' 'Look here, Baker, that's rot and you know it.
+It was a deliberate and beastly trick. Put him off!' 'He stays on!' said
+the umpire, and he stuck to it, I'll give him credit for that. It was
+old Maitland that saved the day. He came up smiling. 'I hope you are
+taking off the time, umpire,' he said, with that little laugh of his. 'I
+am not going to put Larson off,' shouted the umpire to him. 'Who asked
+you to?' said Maitland. 'Go on with the game.' That saved the day. They
+all started cheering. The ice was cleared and the game went on."
+
+"Oh, that was it. I couldn't understand. They were so savage first, and
+then suddenly they all seemed to quiet down. It was Captain Jack. Well,
+Mamma, on they came again! But when poor Snoopy came out, all bandaged
+round the head and the blood showing through--"
+
+"Quite a clever little beggar," murmured Vic.
+
+"Clever? What do you mean?" cried Patricia.
+
+"Oh, well, good psychology, I mean--that's all. Bloody
+bandages--demanding vengeance, Jack's team, you know--Macnamara, for
+instance, entreating his captain for the love of heaven to put him
+opposite Jumbo--shaking the morale of the enemy and so forth--mighty
+good psychology."
+
+"I don't know exactly what you mean," said Patricia, "but the Cornwall
+defence was certainly rattled. They pulled their men back and played
+defence like perfect demons, with the Mill men on to them like tigers."
+
+"But Patricia, my dear," said her mother, "those are terrible words."
+
+"But, Mamma, not half so terrible as the real thing. Oh, it was
+perfectly splendid! And then how did it finish, Hugh? I didn't quite see
+how that play came about."
+
+"I didn't see, either," said Hugh.
+
+"Didn't you?" cried Adrien, "I did. Jack and Geordie Ross were going
+down the centre at a perfectly terrific speed, big Macnamara backing
+them up. Out came Macnab and Jumbo Larson following him. Macnab checked
+Geordie, who passed to Jack, who slipped it back to Macnamara. Down
+came Jumbo like a perfect thunderbolt and fairly hurled himself upon
+Macnamara. I don't know what happened then, but--"
+
+"Oh, I do!" cried Vic. "When old Jumbo came hurtling down upon
+Macnamara, this was evidently what Macnamara was waiting for. Indeed,
+what he had been praying for all through the game. I saw him gather
+himself, crouch low, lurch forward with shoulder well down, a wrestler's
+trick--you know Macnamara was the champion wrestler of his division in
+France--he caught Jumbo low. Result, a terrific catapult, and the big
+Swede lay on his back some twenty feet away. Everybody thought he was
+dead."
+
+"Oh, it was perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Patricia, rapturously.
+
+"But, my dear," said her mother, "lovely, and they thought the man was
+dead!"
+
+"Oh, but he wasn't dead. He came to. I will say he was very plucky. Then
+just as they faced off, time was called. Six to six! Think of it, Mamma,
+six to six! And we had been five to two at half time!"
+
+"Six to six?" said Mrs. Templeton. "But I thought you said we won?"
+
+"Oh, listen, Mamma, this is the most wonderful thing of the whole
+match," said Adrien, trying to break in on the tornado of words from her
+younger sister.
+
+"No, let me, Adrien! I know exactly how it was done. Captain Jack
+explained it to me before. It was Captain Jack's specialty. It was what
+they call the double-circle. Here is the way it was worked." Patricia
+sprang to her feet, arranged two chairs for goal and proceeded to
+demonstrate. "You see, Mamma, in the single circle play, Captain Jack
+and Snoopy come down--say Snoopy has the puck. Just as they get near the
+goal Snoopy fools the back, rushes round the goal and passes to
+Jack, who is standing in front ready to slip it in. But of course
+the Cornwalls were prepared for the play. But that is where the
+double-circle comes in. This time Geordie had the puck, with Captain
+Jack immediately at his left and Snoopy further out. Well, Geordie had
+the puck, you see. He rushes down and pretends to make the circle of the
+goal. But this time he doesn't. He tears like mad around the goal with
+the puck, Snoopy tears like mad around the goal from the other side, the
+defence all rush over to the left to check them, leaving the right wide
+open. Snoopy takes the ball from Geordie, rushes around the goal the
+other way, Mamma, do you see?--passes back to Reddy, his partner, who
+slips it in! And poor Jumbo was unable to do anything. I believe he was
+still dazed from his terrible fall!"
+
+Then Hugh breaks in: "It really was beautifully done."
+
+"It certainly was," said Vic.
+
+"Seven to six, Mamma, think of it! Seven to six, and two minutes of the
+first overtime to play. Two minutes! It just seemed that our men could
+do as they liked. The last time the whole forward lines came down, with
+Macnamara and 'Jack' Johnson roaring and yelling like--like--I don't
+know what. And they did the double-circle again! Think of it! And then
+time was called. Oh, I am perfectly exhausted with this excitement!"
+said Patricia, sinking back into her chair. "I don't believe I could go
+down to that rink, not even for another game. It is terribly trying!"
+
+At this moment Rupert Stillwell came in, full of enthusiasm for the
+Cornwalls' scientific hockey, and with grudging praise for the local
+team, deploring their roughhouse tactics. But he met a sharp and
+unexpected check, for Adrien took him in hand, in her quiet, cool,
+efficient manner.
+
+"Roughhouse!" she said. "What do you mean exactly by that?"
+
+"Well," said Rupert, somewhat taken aback, "for instance that charge of
+Macnamara on Jumbo Larson at the last."
+
+"I saw that quite clearly," said Adrien, "and it appeared to me
+quite all right. It was Larson who made the most furious charge upon
+Macnamara."
+
+"Of course it was," cried Patricia, indignantly. "Jumbo deserved all he
+got. Why, the way he mauled little Snoopy and Geordie Ross in the first
+part of the game was perfectly horrid. Don't you think so, Hugh?"
+
+"Oh, well, hockey is not tiddly-winks, you know, Patricia, and--"
+
+"As if I didn't know that!" broke in the girl indignantly.
+
+"And Jumbo and Macnab," continued Hugh, "really had to break up the
+dangerous combination there. Of course that was a rotten assault on
+Snoopy. It wasn't Jumbo's fault that he didn't break an ankle. As it
+was, he gave him a very bad fall."
+
+At this Rupert laughed scornfully. "Rot," he said, "the whole town is
+laughing at all that bloody bandage business. It was a bit of stage
+play. Very clever, I confess, but no hockey. I happen to know that
+Maitland was quite hot about it."
+
+But Hugh and Vic only laughed at him.
+
+"He is a clever little beggar, is Snoopy," said Vic.
+
+"But, meantime," said Mrs. Templeton, "where is Jack! He was going to be
+here, was he not?"
+
+"Feasting and dancing, I expect," said Rupert. "There is a big supper
+on, given by the Mill management, and a dance afterwards--'hot time in
+the old town,' eh?"
+
+"A dance?" gasped Patricia. "A dance! Where?"
+
+"Odd Fellows' Hall," said Rupert. "Want to go? I have tickets. Don't
+care for that sort of thing myself. Rather a mixed affair, I guess. Mill
+hands and their girls."
+
+"Oh," breathed Patricia, "I should love to go. Couldn't we?"
+
+"But my dear Patricia," said her mother, "a dance, with all those
+people? What nonsense. But I wish Jack would drop in. I should so like
+to congratulate him on his great victory."
+
+"Oh, do let us go, just for a few minutes, Mamma" entreated Patricia.
+"Hugh, have you tickets?"
+
+The men looked at each other.
+
+"Well," confessed Vic, "I was thinking of dropping in myself. After all,
+it is our home team and they are good sports. And Maitland handled them
+with wonderful skill."
+
+"Yes, I am going," said Hugh. "I am bound to go as Captain of the
+Eagles, and that sort of thing, but I would, anyway. Would you care
+to come, Adrien, if Mrs. Templeton will allow you? Of course there are
+chaperons. Maitland would see to that."
+
+"I should like awfully to go," said Adrien eagerly. "We might, for a few
+minutes, Mother? Of course, Patricia should be in bed, really."
+
+Poor Patricia's face fell.
+
+"It is no place for any of you," said the mother, decidedly. "Just think
+of that mixed multitude! And you, Patricia, you should be in bed."
+
+"But oh, Mamma, dear," wailed Patricia, "I can rest all day to-morrow."
+
+At this point a new voice broke in to the discussion and Doctor
+Templeton appeared. "Well, what's the excitement," he enquired. "Oh, the
+match, of course! Well, what was the result?"
+
+"Oh, Daddy, we won, we won!" cried Patricia, springing at him. "The
+most glorious match! Big Jumbo Larson, a perfect monster on the Cornwall
+defence, was knocked out! Oh, it was a glorious match! And can't I go
+down to see the dance? Adrien and Hugh and Vic are going. Only for a few
+minutes," she begged, with her arms around her father's neck. "Say yes,
+Daddy!"
+
+"Give me time; let me get my breath, Patricia. Now, do begin
+somewhere--say, with the score."
+
+They all gave him the score.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the old doctor. "No one hurt--seriously, I mean?"
+
+"No," said Patricia, "except perhaps Jumbo Larson," she added hopefully.
+
+"The Lord was merciful to this family when he made you a girl,
+Patricia," said her father.
+
+"But, Daddy, it was a wonderful game." Quite breathlessly, she went once
+more over the outstanding features of the play.
+
+"Sounds rather bloody, I must say," said her father, doubtfully.
+
+But Hugh said: "It was not really--not quite so bad as Patricia makes
+it, sir. Rough at times, of course, but, on the whole, clean."
+
+"Clean," cried Patricia, "what about Jumbo's swing at Snoopy?"
+
+"Oh, well, Snoopy had the puck, you know. It was a little off-colour, I
+must confess."
+
+"And now, Daddy," said Patricia, going at her father again, "we all want
+to go down to the dance. There will be speeches, you know, and I do want
+to hear Captain Jack," she added, not without guile. "Won't you let me
+go with them? Hugh will take care of me."
+
+"I think I should rather like to go myself," said her father. A shout
+of approval rose from the whole company. "But," continued the doctor, "I
+don't think I can. My dear, I think they might go for a few minutes--and
+you can bring me in a full account of the speeches, Patricia," he added,
+with a twinkle in his eye.
+
+"But, my dear," exclaimed his wife, "this is one of those awful public
+affairs. You can't imagine what they are like. The Mill hands will all
+be there, and that sort of people."
+
+"Well, my dear, Jack Maitland will be there, I fancy, and you were
+thinking of going, Hugh?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I am going. Of course there will be a number of the friends
+of both teams, townspeople. Of course the Mill hands will be there, too,
+in large numbers. It will be great fun."
+
+"Well, my dear," said the doctor, "I think they might go down for a few
+minutes. But be sure to be back before midnight. Remember, Patricia, you
+are to do exactly as your sister says."
+
+Then Vic said: "I shall keep a firm hand on her, sir."
+
+"Oh, you darling," Patricia cried, hugging her father rapturously. "I
+will be so good; and won't it be fun!"
+
+Odd Fellows' Hall was elaborately decorated with bunting and evergreens.
+The party from the Rectory, arriving in time to hear the closing
+speeches of the two team captains, took their places in the gallery. The
+speeches were brief and to the point.
+
+The Captain of the visiting team declared that he had greatly enjoyed
+the game. He was not quite convinced that the best team had won, but he
+would say that the game had gone to the team that had put up the best
+play. He complimented Captain Maitland upon his generalship. He had
+known Captain Maitland in the old days and he ought to have been on the
+lookout for the kind of thing he had put over. The Maitland Mill team
+had made a perfectly wonderful recovery in the last quarter, though he
+rather thought his friend Macnamara had helped it a little at a critical
+point.
+
+"He did that," exclaimed Jumbo Larson, with marked emphasis.
+
+After the roar of laughter had quieted down, the Cornwall Captain closed
+by expressing the hope that the Maitland Mill team would try for a place
+next season in the senior hockey. In which case he expressed the hope
+that he might have the pleasure of meeting them again.
+
+Captain Maitland's speech was characteristic. He had nothing but praise
+for the Cornwalls. They played a wonderful game and a clean game. He
+shared in the doubt of their Captain as to which was the better team. He
+frankly confessed that in the last quarter the luck came to his team.
+
+"Not a bit of it," roared the Cornwalls with one voice.
+
+As to his own team, he was particularly proud of the way they had taken
+the training--their fine self-denial, and especially the never-dying
+spirit which they showed. It was a great honour for his team to meet
+the Cornwalls. A hard team to meet--sometimes--as Snoopy and himself had
+found out that evening--but they were good sports and he hoped some day
+to meet them again.
+
+After the usual cheers for the teams, individually and collectively, for
+their supporters, for the Mill management and for the ladies, the dinner
+came to an end, the whole party joining with wide open throats and all
+standing at attention, in the Canadian and the Empire national anthems.
+
+While the supper table was being cleared away preparatory to the dance,
+Captain Jack rushed upstairs to the party in the gallery. Patricia flung
+herself at him in an ecstasy of rapture.
+
+"Oh! Captain Jack, you did win! You did win! You did win! It was
+glorious! And that double-circle play that you and Snoopy put up--didn't
+it work beautifully!"
+
+"We were mighty lucky," said Captain Jack.
+
+The others, Hugh, Vic and Rupert, crowded round, offering
+congratulations. Adrien waited behind, a wonderful light shining in her
+eyes, a faint colour touching her pale cheek. Captain Jack came slowly
+forward.
+
+"Are you not going to congratulate us, too, Adrien?" he said.
+
+She moved a pace forward.
+
+"Oh, Jack," she whispered, leaning toward him and breathing quickly, "it
+was so like the old, the dear old days."
+
+Into Maitland's eyes there flashed a look of surprise, of wonder, then
+of piercing scrutiny, while his face grew white.
+
+"Adrien," he said, in a voice low, tense, almost stern, which she alone
+heard. "What do you mean? Then do you--"
+
+"Oh, Captain Jack," cried Patricia, catching his arm, "are you going to
+dance? You are, aren't you? And will you give me--Oh, I daren't ask! You
+are such a great hero to-night!"
+
+"Why, Patsy, will you give me a dance?"
+
+The girl stood gazing at him with eyes that grew misty, the quick
+beating of her loyal heart almost suffocating her.
+
+"Oh, Captain Jack," she gasped, "how many?"
+
+Maitland laughed at her, and turned to her sister.
+
+"And you, Adrien, may I have a dance?"
+
+Again Adrien leaned toward him.
+
+"One?" she asked.
+
+"And as many more as you can spare."
+
+"My program is quite empty, you see," she said, flinging out her hands
+and laughing joyously into his face.
+
+"What about me? And me? And me?" said the other three men.
+
+"I suppose we are all nowhere to-night," added Rupert, with a touch of
+bitterness in his voice.
+
+"Well, there is only one conquering hero, you know," replied Adrien,
+smiling at them all.
+
+"Now I must run off," said Maitland. "You see, I am on duty, as it were.
+Come down in a few minutes."
+
+"Yes, go, Jack," said Adrien, throwing him a warm smile. "We will follow
+you in a few minutes."
+
+"Oh, I am so excited!" said Patricia, as Maitland disappeared down the
+stairs. "I mean to dance with every one of the team. I know I am going
+to have a perfectly lovely time! But I would give them all up if I could
+have Captain Jack all the time."
+
+"Pig," said her sister, smiling at her.
+
+"Wretch," cried Vic, making a face.
+
+But Patricia was quite unabashed. "I am going to have him just as often
+as I can," she said, brazenly.
+
+For a few minutes they stood watching the dancers on the floor below. It
+was indeed, as Mrs. Templeton had said, a "mixed multitude." Mill
+hands and their girls, townsfolk whose social standing was sufficiently
+assured to endure the venture. A mixed multitude, but thoroughly jolly,
+making up in vigour what was lacking in grace in their exposition of the
+Terpsichorean art.
+
+"Rather ghastly," said Rupert, who appeared to be quite disgusted with
+the whole evening's proceedings.
+
+"Lovely!" exclaimed Patricia.
+
+"They are enjoying themselves, at any rate," said Adrien, "and, after
+all, that is what people dance for."
+
+"Stacks of fun. I am all for it, eh, Pat?" said Vic, making adoring eyes
+at the young girl.
+
+But Patricia severely ignored him.
+
+"Oh, Adrien, look!" she cried suddenly. "There is Annette, and who is
+the big man with her? Oh, what an awful dancer he is! But Annette, isn't
+she wonderful! What a lovely dress! I think she is the most beautiful
+thing." And Patricia was right, for Annette was radiant in colour and
+unapproachable in the grace of her movement.
+
+"By Jove! She is a wonder!" said Vic. "Some dancer, if she only had a
+chance."
+
+"Well, why don't you go down, Vic," said Patricia sharply. "You know you
+are just aching to show off your fox trot. Run away, little boy, I won't
+mind."
+
+"I don't believe you would," replied Vic ruefully.
+
+For some minutes longer they all stood watching the scene below.
+
+"They are a jolly crowd," said Adrien. "I don't think we have half the
+fun at our dances."
+
+"They certainly get a lot for their money," said Vic. "But wait till
+they come to 'turkey-in-the-straw!' That is where they really cut
+loose."
+
+"Oh, pshaw!" cried Patricia. "I can 'turkey' myself. Just wait and
+you'll see."
+
+"So can I," murmured Vic. "Will you let me in on it? Hello," he
+continued, "there is the Captain and Annette. Now look out for high art.
+I know the Captain's style. And a two-step! My eye! She is a little airy
+fairy!"
+
+"How beautifully she dances," said Adrien. "And how charmingly she is
+dressed."
+
+"They do hit it off, don't they," said Rupert. "They evidently know each
+other's paces."
+
+Suddenly Adrien turned to Hugh: "Don't you think we should go down?" she
+asked. "You know we must not stay late."
+
+"Yes, do come along!" cried Patricia, seizing Victor by the arm and
+hurrying to the stairs, the others making their way more leisurely to
+the dancing room.
+
+The hall was a scene of confused hilarity. Maitland was nowhere to be
+seen.
+
+"Oh! let us dance, Vic!" cried Patricia. "There is really no use waiting
+for Captain Jack. At any rate, Adrien will claim the first dance."
+
+No second invitation was needed and together they swung off into the
+medley of dancers.
+
+"We may as well follow," said Hugh. "We shall doubtless run into
+Maitland somewhere before long."
+
+But not in that dance, nor in the three successive dances did Maitland
+appear. The precious moments were slipping by. Patricia was becoming
+more and more anxious and fretful at the non-appearance of her hero.
+Also, Hugh began to notice and detect a lagging in his partner's step.
+
+"Shall we go out into the corridor?" he said. "This air is beginning to
+be rather trying."
+
+From the crowded hall they passed into the corridor, from which opened
+side rooms which were used as dressing and retiring rooms, and whose
+entrances were cleverly screened by a row of thick spruce trees set up
+for the occasion.
+
+"This is better," said Hugh, drawing a deep breath. "Shall we sit a bit
+and rest?"
+
+"Oh, do let us," said Adrien. "This has been a strenuous and exciting
+evening. I really feel quite done out. Here is a most inviting seat."
+
+Wearily she sat down on a bench which faced the entrance to one of the
+rooms.
+
+"Shall I bring you a glass of water or an ice, Adrien?" inquired Hugh,
+noting the pallor in her face.
+
+"Thank you. A glass of water, if you will be so kind. How deliciously
+fragrant that spruce is."
+
+As her partner set off upon his errand, Adrien stepped to the spruce
+tree which screened the open door of the room opposite, and taking
+the bosky branches in her hands, she thrust her face into the aromatic
+foliage.
+
+"How deliciously fragrant," she murmured.
+
+Suddenly, as if stabbed by a spine in the trees, she started back and
+stood gazing through the thick branches into the room beyond There
+stood Maitland and Annette, the girl, with her face tearfully pale and
+pleading, uplifted to his and with her hands gripped tight and held fast
+in his, clasped against his breast. More plainly than words her face,
+her eyes, her attitude told her tale. She was pouring out her very soul
+to him in entreaty, and he was giving eager, sympathetic heed to her
+appeal.
+
+Swiftly Adrien stepped back from the screening tree, her face white as
+if from a stunning blow, her heartbeats checking her breath. Quickly,
+blindly, she ran down the corridor. At the very end she met Hugh with a
+glass of water in his hand.
+
+"What is the matter, Adrien? Have you seen a ghost?" he cried in an
+anxious voice.
+
+She caught the glass from his hand and began to drink, at first
+greedily, then more slowly.
+
+"Ah!" she said, drawing a deep breath. "That is good. Do you know, I
+was almost overcome. The air of that room is quite deadly. Now I am all
+right. Let us get a breath from the outside, Hugh."
+
+Taking him by the arm, she hastened him to the farther end of the
+corridor and opened the door. "Oh, delicious!" She drew in deep breaths
+of the cold, fresh air.
+
+"How wonderful the night is, Hugh." She leaned far out, "and the snow
+was like a cloth of silver and diamonds in this glorious moon." She
+stooped, and from a gleaming bank beside the door she caught up a double
+handful of the snow and, packing it into a little ball, flung it at her
+partner, catching him fairly on the ear.
+
+"Aha!" she cried. "Don't ever say a woman is a poor shot. Now then," she
+added, stamping her feet free from the clinging flakes and waving her
+hands in the air to dry them, "I feel fit for anything. Let us have one
+more dance before we go home, for I feel we really must go."
+
+"You are sure you are quite fit?" inquired Hugh, still anxious for her.
+
+"Fit? Look at me!" Her cheeks were bright with colour, her eyes with
+light.
+
+"You surely do look fit," said Hugh, beaming at her with frank
+admiration. "But you were all in a few moments ago."
+
+"Come along. There is a way into the hall by this door," she cried,
+catching his hand and hurrying him into the dancing room again.
+
+At the conclusion of their dance they came upon Patricia near the main
+entrance, in great distress. "I have not seen Captain Jack anywhere,"
+she lamented. "Have you, Adrien? I have just sent Vic for a final
+search. I simply cannot go home till I have had my dance." The girl was
+almost in tears.
+
+"Never mind, dear," said Adrien. "He has many duties to-night with
+all these players to look after. I think we had better go whenever Vic
+returns. I am awfully sorry for you, Patricia," she added. "No! Don't!
+You simply must not cry here." She put her arm around her sister's
+shoulder, her own lips trembling, and drew her close. "Where has Vic
+gone, I wonder?"
+
+That young man, however, was having his own trials. In his search for
+Maitland he ran across McNish, whom he recognised as Annette's partner
+in the first dance.
+
+"Hello!" he cried. "Do you know where Captain Maitland is, by any
+chance?"
+
+"No, how should I know," replied McNish, in a voice fiercely guttural.
+
+"Oh!" said Vic, somewhat abashed. "I saw you dance with Annette--with
+Miss Perrotte--and I thought perhaps you might know where the Captain
+was."
+
+McNish stood glowering at him for a moment or two, then burst forth:
+
+"They are awa'--he's ta'en her awa'."
+
+"Away," said Vic. "Where?"
+
+"To hell for all I ken or care."
+
+Then with a single stride McNish was close at his side, gripping his arm
+with fingers that seemed to reach the bone.
+
+"Ye're a friend o' his. Let me say tae ye if ony ill cames tae her, by
+the leevin' God above us he wull answer tae me." Hoarse, panting, his
+face that of a maniac, he stood glaring wild-eyed at the young man
+before him. To say that Vic was shaken by this sudden and violent
+onslaught would be much within the truth. Nevertheless he boldly faced
+the passion-distracted man.
+
+"Look here! I don't know who you are or what you mean," he said, in as
+steady tones as he could summon, "but if you suggest that any girl will
+come to harm from Captain Maitland, then I say you are a liar and a
+fool." So speaking, little Vic set himself for the rush which he was
+firmly convinced would come. McNish, however, stood still, fighting for
+control. Then, between his deep-drawn breaths, he slowly spoke:
+
+"Ye may be richt. A hope tae God A am baith liar and fule." The agony in
+his face moved Vic to pity.
+
+"I say, old chap," he said, "you are terribly mistaken somehow, I can
+swear to that. Where is Maitland, anyway, do you know?"
+
+"They went away together." McNish had suddenly gotten himself in hand.
+"They went away in his car, secretly."
+
+"Secretly," said Vic, scornfully. "Now, that is perfect rot. Look here,
+do you know Captain Maitland? I am his friend, and let me tell you that
+all I ever hope to own, here and hereafter, and all my relatives and
+friends, I would gladly trust with him."
+
+"Maybe, maybe," muttered McNish. "Ye may be richt. A apologise, sir, but
+if--" His eyes blazed again.
+
+"Aw, cut out the tragedy stuff," said Vic, "and don't be an ass.
+Good-night."
+
+Vic turned on his heel and left McNish standing in a dull and dazed
+condition, and made his way toward the ballroom.
+
+"Who is the Johnny, anyway?" he said to himself. "He is
+mad--looney--utterly bughouse. Needs a keeper in the worst way. But what
+about the Captain--must think up something. Let's see. Taken
+suddenly ill? Hardly--there is the girl to account for. Her
+mother--grandmother--or something--stricken--let's see. Annette has
+a brother--By Jove! the very thing--I've got it--brother met with an
+accident--run over--fell down a well--anything. Hurry call--ambulance
+stuff. Good line. Needs working up a bit, though. What has happened to
+my grey matter? Let me think. Ah, yes--when that Johnny brought word
+of an accident, a serious accident to her brother, Maitland, naturally
+enough, the gallant soul, hurries her off in his car, sending word by
+aforesaid mad Johnny."
+
+Vic went to the outer door, feeling the necessity for a somewhat careful
+conning of his tale to give it, as he said himself, a little artistic
+verisimilitude. Then, with his lesson--as he thought--well learned, and
+praying for aid of unknown gods, he went back to find his partner.
+
+"If only Patricia will keep out of it," he said to himself as he neared
+the hall door, "or if I could only catch old Hugh first. But he is not
+much of a help in this sort of thing. Dash it all! I am quite nervous.
+This will never do. Must find a way--good effect--cool and collected
+stuff." So, ruminating and praying and moving ever more slowly, he
+reached the door. Coming in sight of his party, he hurried to meet them.
+"Awfully sorry!" he exclaimed excitedly. "The most rotten luck! Old
+Maitland's just been called off."
+
+"Called off!" cried Patricia, in dismay. "Where to!"
+
+"Now, don't jump at me like that. Remember my heart. Met that
+Johnny--the big chap dancing with Annette, you know--just met him--quite
+worked up--a hurry call for the girl--for the girl, Annette, you know."
+
+"The girl!" exclaimed Patricia. "You said Captain Jack."
+
+"I know! I know!" replied Vic, somewhat impatiently. "I am a bit
+excited, I confess. Rather nasty thing--Annette's brother, you
+know--something wrong--accident, I think. Couldn't get the particulars."
+
+"But Annette's brother is in Toronto," said Adrien, gravely.
+
+"Exactly!" cried Vic. "That is what I have been telling you. A hurry
+call--phone message for Annette--horrible accident. Maitland rushed her
+right away in his car to catch the midnight to Toronto."
+
+"By Jove! That is too bad," said Hugh, a genuine sympathy in his honest
+voice. "That is hard luck on poor Annette. Tony is not exactly a safe
+proposition, you know."
+
+"Was he--is he killed?" cried Patricia, in a horror-stricken voice.
+
+"Killed! Not a bit of it," said Vic cheerfully. "Slight injury--but
+serious, I mean. You know, just enough to cause anxiety." Vic lit
+another cigarette with ostentatious deliberation. "Nasty shock, you
+know," he said.
+
+"Who told you all this?" inquired Rupert.
+
+"Who told me?" said Vic. "Why, that mad Johnny."
+
+"Mad Johnny? What mad Johnny?"
+
+Vic said: "Eh! What? You know, that--ahr--big chap who was falling over
+her in the fox trot. Looked kind of crazy, you know--big chap--Scotch."
+
+"Where is he now?" enquired Rupert.
+
+"Oh, I fancy about there, somewhere," replied Vic, remembering that he
+had seen McNish moving toward the door. "Better go and look him up and
+get more particulars. Might help some, you know."
+
+"Oh, Adrien, let us go to her," said Patricia. "I am sure Annette would
+love to have you. Poor Annette!"
+
+"Oh! I say!" interposed Vic hurriedly. "There is really no necessity. I
+shouldn't like to intrude in family affairs and that sort of thing, you
+know what I mean."
+
+Adrien's grave, quiet eyes were upon Vic's face. "You think we had
+better not go, then," she said slowly.
+
+"Sure thing!" replied Vic, with cheerful optimism. "There is no
+necessity--slight accident--no need to make a fuss about it."
+
+"But you said it was a serious accident--a terrible thing," said
+Patricia.
+
+"Oh, now, Patricia, come out of it. You check a fellow up so hard. Can't
+you understand the Johnny was so deucedly worked up over it he
+couldn't give me the right of it. Dash it all! Let's have another turn,
+Patricia!"
+
+But Adrien said: "I think we will go home, Hugh."
+
+"Very well, if you think so, Adrien. I don't fancy you need worry over
+Annette. The accident probably is serious but not dangerous. Tony is a
+tough fellow."
+
+"Exactly!" exclaimed Vic. "Just as I have been telling you. Serious, but
+not dangerous. At least, that was the impression I got."
+
+"Oh, Vic, you are so terribly confusing!" exclaimed Patricia. "Why can't
+you get things straight? I say, Adrien, we can ride round to Annette's
+on our way home, and then we will get things quite clearly."
+
+"Certainly," said Hugh. "It will only take us a minute. Eh, what!" he
+added to Vic, who was making frantic grimaces at him. "Well, if you
+ladies will get your things, we will go."
+
+"But I am so disappointed," said Patricia to Adrien, as they went to
+their dressing room together.
+
+After they had gone, Hugh turned upon Vic: "Now then, what the deuce and
+all are you driving at?"
+
+"Driving at!" cried Vic, in an exasperated tone. "You are a sweet
+support for a fellow in distress. I am a nervous wreck--a perfect mess.
+Another word from that kid and I should have run screaming into the
+night. And as for you, why the deuce didn't you buck up and help a
+fellow out?"
+
+"Help you out? How in the name of all that is reasonable could I help
+you out? What is all the yarn about? Of course I know it isn't true.
+Where's Maitland?"
+
+"Search me," said Vic. "All I know is that I hit upon that Scotch Johnny
+out in the hall--he nearly wrenched an arm off me and did everything
+but bite--spitting out incoherent gaspings indicating that Maitland
+had 'gone awa' wi' his gur-r-l, confound him!' and suggesting the usual
+young Lochinvar stuff. You know--nothing in it, of course. But what was
+I to do? Some tale was necessary! Fortunately or unfortunately, brother
+Tony sprang to the thing I call my mind and--well, you know the mess
+I made of it. But Hugh, remember, for heaven's sake, make talk about
+something--about the match--and get that girl quietly home. I bag the
+back seat and Adrien. It is hard on me, I know, but fifteen minutes
+more of Patsy and I shall be counting my tootsies and prattling nursery
+rhymes. Here they come," he breathed. "Now, 'a little forlorn hope,
+deadly breach act, if you love me, Hardy.' Play up, old boy!"
+
+And with commendable enthusiasm and success, Hugh played up,
+supported--as far as his physical and mental condition allowed--by
+the enfeebled Vic, till they had safely deposited their charges at the
+Rectory door, whence, refusing an invitation to stop for cocoa, they
+took their homeward way.
+
+"'And from famine, pestilence and sudden death,' and from the once-over
+by that penetrating young female, 'good Lord, deliver us,'" murmured
+Vic, falling into the seat beside his friend. "Take me home to mother,"
+he added, and refused further speech till at his own door. He waved a
+weak adieu and staggered feebly into the house.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE NEW MANAGER
+
+
+Grant Maitland sat in his office, plainly disturbed in his mind. His
+resolute face, usually reflecting the mental repose which arises from
+the consciousness of a strength adequate to any emergency, carried lines
+which revealed a mind which had lost its poise. Reports from his foremen
+indicated brooding trouble, and this his own observation within the last
+few weeks confirmed. Production was noticeably falling low. The attitude
+of the workers suggested suspicion and discontent. That fine glow of
+comradeship which had been characteristic of all workers in the Maitland
+Mills had given place to a sullen aloofness and a shiftiness of eye that
+all too plainly suggested evil forces at work.
+
+During the days immediately preceding and following the Great Match,
+there had been a return of that frank and open bearing that had
+characterised the employees of the Maitland Mills in the old days, but
+that fleeting gleam of sunshine had faded out and the old grey shadow
+of suspicion, of discontent, had fallen again. To Maitland this attitude
+brought a disappointment and a resentment which sensibly added to his
+burden, already heavy enough in these days of weakening markets and
+falling prices. In his time he had come through periods of financial
+depression. He was prepared for one such period now, but he had never
+passed through the unhappy experience of a conflict with his own
+employees. Not that he had ever feared a fight, but he shrank from a
+fight with his own men. It humiliated him. He felt it to be a reflection
+upon his system of management, upon his ability to lead and control,
+indeed, upon his personality. But, more than all, it grieved him to feel
+that he had lost that sense of comradeship which for forty years he
+had been able to preserve with those who toiled with him in a common
+enterprise.
+
+A sense of loneliness fell upon him. Like many a man, self-made and
+self-sufficing, he craved companionship which his characteristic
+qualities of independence and strength seemed to render unnecessary and
+undesired. The experience of all leaders of men was his, for the leader
+is ever a lonely man.
+
+This morning the reports he had just received convinced him that a
+strike with his workers would not long be delayed. "If I only knew what
+they really wanted," he bitterly mused. "It cannot be wages. Their wages
+are two or three times what they were before the war--shop conditions
+are all that could be desired--the Lord knows I have spent enough in
+this welfare stuff and all that sort of thing during these hard times.
+I have heard of no real grievances. I am sick of it all. I guess I am
+growing too old for this sort of thing."
+
+There was a tap at the door and his son appeared, with a cheery
+greeting.
+
+"Come in, Jack," said his father, "I believe you are the very man I
+want."
+
+"Hello, Dad. You look as if you were in trouble."
+
+"Well," replied his father with a keen look at him, "I think I may
+return the compliment."
+
+"Well, yes, but perhaps I should not bother you. You have all you can
+carry."
+
+"All I can carry," echoed Maitland, picking up the reports from his
+desk and handing them to his son, who glanced over them. "Things are not
+going well at the mills. No, you needn't tell me. You know I never ask
+you for any confidences about your brother unionists."
+
+"Right you are, Dad. You have always played the game."
+
+"Well, I must confess this is beyond me. Everywhere on the men's faces
+I catch that beastly look of distrust and suspicion. I hate to work with
+men like that. And very obviously, trouble is brewing, but what it is,
+frankly, it is beyond me to know."
+
+"Well, it is hardly a secret any longer," said Jack. "Trouble is coming,
+Dad, though what form it shall take I am not in a position to say. Union
+discipline is a fierce thing. The rank and file are not taken into
+the confidence of the leaders. Policies are decided upon in the secret
+councils of the Great Ones and handed down to us to adopt. Of course, it
+is open to any man to criticise, and I am bound to say that the rankers
+exercise that privilege with considerable zest. All the same, however,
+it is difficult to overturn an administration, hard to upset established
+order. The thing that is, is the thing that ought to be. Rejection of an
+administration policy demands revolution."
+
+"Well," said his father, taking the sheets from Jack's hand, "we needn't
+go to meet the trouble. Now, let us have yours. What is your particular
+grief?"
+
+"Tony," said Jack shortly.
+
+"Tony?" echoed his father in dismay. "Heaven help us! And what now has
+come to Tony? Though I must confess I have been expecting this for some
+time. It had to come."
+
+"It is a long story, Dad, and I shan't worry you with the details. As
+you know, after leaving us, Tony went from one job to another with the
+curve steadily downwards. For the last few months, I gather, he has
+been living on his wits, helped out by generous contributions from his
+sister's wages. Finally he was given a subordinate position under
+'The Great War Veterans' who have really been very decent to him. This
+position involved the handling of funds--no great amount. Then it was
+the old story--gambling and drinking--the loss of all control--desperate
+straits--hoping to recoup his losses--and you know the rest."
+
+"Embezzlement?" asked Maitland.
+
+"Yes, embezzlement," said Jack. "Tony is not a thief. He didn't
+deliberately steal, you understand."
+
+"Jack," said his father, sharply, "get that out of your head. There is
+no such distinction in law or in fact. Stealing is stealing, whatever
+the motive behind it, whatever the plan governing it, by whatever name
+called."
+
+"I didn't really mean anything else, Dad. Tony did the thing, at any
+rate, and the cops were on his trail. He got into hiding, sent an S. O.
+S. to his sister. Annette, driven to desperation, came to me with her
+story the night of the Match. She was awfully cut up, poor girl. I had
+to leave the dance and go right off to Toronto. Too late for the train,
+I drove straight through,--ghastly roads,--found Tony, fetched him back,
+and up till yesterday he has been hiding in his own home. Meantime,
+I managed to get things fixed up--paid his debts, the prosecution is
+withdrawn and now he wants,--or, rather, he doesn't want but needs, a
+job."
+
+Maitland listened with a grave face. "Then the little girl was right,
+after all," he said.
+
+"Meaning?"
+
+"Patricia," said his father. "She told me a long story of a terrible
+accident to Tony that had called you away to Toronto. I must say it was
+rather incoherent."
+
+"But who told her? I swear not a soul knew but his people and myself,"
+said Jack.
+
+"Strange how things get out," said his father. "Well, where is Tony
+now?"
+
+"Here, in the outer office."
+
+"But," said Maitland, desperately, "where can we place him? He is
+impossible in any position--dangerous in the office, useless as a
+foreman, doubtful and uncertain as a workman."
+
+"One thing is quite certain," said Jack decidedly, "he must be under
+discipline. He is useless on his own. I thought that perhaps he might
+work beside me. I could keep an eye on him. Tony has nothing in him
+to work with. I should like to hear old Matheson on him--the Reverend
+Murdo, I mean. That is a great theme of his--'To the man who has nothing
+you can give nothing.'"
+
+"Matheson?" said Maitland. "A chum of yours, I understand. Radical, eh?"
+
+"A very decent sort, father," replied Jack. "I have been doing a little
+economics with him during the winter. His radicalism is of a sound type,
+I think. He is a regular bear at economics and he is even better at the
+humanity business, the brother-man stuff. He is really sound there."
+
+"I can guess what you mean," said his father, "though I don't quite
+catch on to all your jargon. But I confess that I suspect there is a
+whole lot of nonsense associated with these theories."
+
+"You will pardon me, Dad," said Jack, "if I suggest that your education
+is really not yet complete."
+
+"Whose is?" inquired his father, curtly.
+
+"But about Tony," continued Jack, "I wish I had him in a gang under me.
+I would work him, or break his neck."
+
+His father sat silently pondering for some minutes. Then, as if making
+a sudden resolve, he said: "Jack, I have been wanting to speak with
+you about something for some weeks. I have come to a place where it is
+imperative that I get some relief from my load. You see, I am carrying
+the whole burden of management practically alone. I look after the
+financing, the markets, I keep an eye on production and even upon the
+factory management. In normal conditions I could manage to get along,
+but in these critical days, when every department calls for close,
+constant and sane supervision, I feel that I must have relief. If I
+could be relieved of the job of shop management, I could give myself
+to the other departments where the situation at present is extremely
+critical. I want a manager, Jack. Why not take the job? Now," he
+continued, holding up his hand, as his son was about to speak, "listen
+for a moment or two. I have said the situation is serious. Let me
+explain that. The financing of this business in the present crisis
+requires a man's full time and energy. Markets, credits, collections,
+all demand the very closest attention."
+
+Jack glanced at his father's face. For the first time he noticed how
+deep-cut were the lines that indicated care, anxiety and worry. A sudden
+remorse seized him.
+
+"I am awfully sorry, sir," he said, "I have not been of much help to
+you."
+
+Maitland waved his hand as if dismissing the suggestion. "Now you know
+nothing of the financial side, but you do know men and you can handle
+them. You proved that in the war, and, in another way, you proved that
+during this recent athletic contest. I followed that very closely and I
+say without hesitation that it was a remarkably fine bit of work and the
+reactions were of the best. Jack, I believe that you would make a great
+manager if you gave yourself to it, and thought it worth while. Now,
+listen to me." Thereupon the father proceeded to lay before his son the
+immediately pressing problems in the business--the financial obligations
+already assumed, the heavy accumulation of stock for which there were no
+markets, the increasing costs in production with no hope of relief, but
+rather every expectation of added burdens in this direction.
+
+As he listened to his father, Jack was appalled with what he considered
+the overwhelmingly disastrous situation in which the business was
+placed. At the same time he saw his father in a new light. This silent,
+stern, reserved man assumed a role of hero in his eyes, facing desperate
+odds and silently fighting a lonely and doubtful battle. The son was
+smitten with a sense of his own futility. In him was born a desire and
+a resolve to stand beside his father in this conflict and if the battle
+went against them, to share in the defeat.
+
+"Dad," cried his son impulsively, "I am a rotter. I have been of no help
+to you, but only a burden. I had no idea the situation was so serious."
+Remorse and alarm showed in his tone.
+
+"Don't misunderstand me," said his father. "This is new to you and
+appears more serious than it is. There is really no ground, or little
+ground, for anxiety or alarm. Let me give you the other side." Then he
+proceeded to set forth the resources of the business, the extent of
+his credit, his plans to meet the present situation and to prepare for
+possible emergencies. "We are not at the wall yet, by any means, Jack,"
+he said, his voice ringing out with a resolute courage. "But I am bound
+to say that if any sudden or untoward combination of circumstances, a
+strike, for instance, should arise, disaster might follow."
+
+Jack's heart sank still lower. He was practically certain that a
+strike was imminent. Although without any official confirmation of his
+suspicions, he had kept his eyes and ears opened and he was convinced
+that trouble was unavoidable. As his father continued to set forth his
+plans, his admiration for him grew. He brought to bear upon the problems
+with which he was grappling a clear head, wide knowledge and steady
+courage. He was a general, planning a campaign in the face of serious
+odds. He recalled a saying of his old Commander-in-Chief in France: "War
+is a business and will be won by the application of business principles
+and business methods. Given a body of fighting men such as I command,
+the thing becomes a problem of transportation, organization, reserve,
+insurance. War is a business and will be won by fighting men directed or
+governed by business principles." He was filled with regret that he had
+not given himself more during these last months to the study of these
+principles. The prospect of a fight against impending disaster touched
+his imagination and stimulated him like a bugle call.
+
+"I see what you want, father," he said. "You want to have some good N.
+C. O.'s. The N. C. O. is the backbone of the army," he quoted with a
+grin.
+
+"N. C. O?" echoed his father. He was not sufficiently versed in military
+affairs to catch the full meaning of the army rag.
+
+"What I mean is," said Jack, "that no matter how able a military
+commander is, he must have efficient subordinates to carry on. No
+Colonel can do his own company and platoon work."
+
+His father nodded: "You've got it, Jack. I want a manager to whom I can
+entrust a policy without ever having to think of it again. I don't want
+a man who gets on top of the load, but one who gets under it."
+
+"You want a good adjutant, father, and a sergeant-major."
+
+"I suppose so," said the father, "although your military terms are
+a little beyond me. After all, the thing is simple enough. On the
+management side, we want increase in production, which means decrease in
+production costs, and this means better organization of the work and the
+workers."
+
+Jack nodded and after a moment, said: "May I add, sir, one thing more?"
+
+"Yes," said his father.
+
+"Team play," said Jack. "That is my specialty, you know. Individualism
+in a game may be spectacularly attractive, but it doesn't get the goal."
+
+"Team play," said his father. "Co-operation, I suppose you mean. My dear
+boy, this is no time for experimentation in profit-sharing schemes, if
+that is what you are after. Anyway, the history of profiteering schemes
+as I have read it is not such as to warrant entire confidence in their
+soundness. You cannot change the economic system overnight."
+
+"That is true enough, Dad," said his son, "and perhaps I am a fool. But
+I remember, and you remember, what everybody said, and especially what
+the experts said, about the military methods and tactics before the war.
+You say you cannot change the economic system overnight, and yet the
+whole military system was changed practically overnight. In almost every
+particular, there was a complete revolution. Cavalry, fortress defences,
+high explosives, the proper place for machine guns, field tactics,
+in fact, the whole business was radically changed. And if we hadn't
+changed, they would be speaking German in the schools of England, like
+enough, by this time."
+
+"Jack, you may be right," said his father, with a touch of impatience,
+"but I don't want to be worried just now. It is easy enough for your
+friend, Matheson, and other academic industrial directors, to suggest
+experiments with other people's money. If we could only get production,
+I would not mind very much what wages we had to pay. But I confess when
+industrial strife is added to my other burdens, it is almost more than I
+can bear."
+
+"I am awfully sorry, Dad," replied his son. "I have no wish to worry
+you, but how are you going to get production? Everybody says it has
+fallen off terribly during and since the war. How are you going to bring
+it up? Not by the pay envelope, I venture to say, and that is why I
+suggested team play. And I am not thinking about co-operative schemes
+of management, either. Some way must be found to interest the fellows in
+their job, in the work itself, as distinct from the financial returns.
+Unless the chaps are interested in the game, they won't get the goals."
+
+"My boy," said his father wearily, "that old interest in work is gone.
+That old pride in work which we used to feel when I was at the job
+myself, is gone. We have a different kind of workman nowadays."
+
+"Dad, don't believe that," said Jack. "Remember the same thing was said
+before the war. We used to hear all about that decadent race stuff. The
+war proved it to be all rot. The race is as fine as ever it was. Our
+history never produced finer fighting men."
+
+"You may be right," said his father. "If we could only get rid of these
+cursed agitators."
+
+"There again, Dad, if you will excuse me, I believe you are mistaken.
+I have been working with these men for the last nine months, I have
+attended very regularly the meetings of their unions and I have studied
+the whole situation with great care. The union is a great institution. I
+am for it heart and soul. It is soundly and solidly democratic, and the
+agitators cut very little figure. I size up the whole lot about this
+way: Fifty per cent of the men are steady-going fellows with ambition to
+climb; twenty-five per cent are content to grub along for the day's pay
+and with no great ambition worrying them. Of the remainder, ten per
+cent are sincere and convinced reformers, more or less half-baked
+intellectuals; ten per cent love the sound of their own voices, hate
+work and want to live by their jaw, five per cent only are unscrupulous
+and selfish agitators. But, Dad, believe me, fire-brands may light
+fires, but solid fagots only can keep fires going. You cannot make
+conflagrations out of torches alone."
+
+"That is Matheson, I suppose," said his father, smiling at him.
+
+"Well, I own up. I have got a lot of stuff from Matheson. All the same I
+believe I have fairly sized up the labour situation."
+
+"Boy, boy," said his father, "I am tired of it all. I believe with some
+team play you and I could make it go. Alone, I am not so sure. Will you
+take the job?"
+
+There was silence between them for a few minutes. Then Jack answered
+slowly: "I am not sure of myself at all, Dad, but I can see you must
+have someone and I am willing to try the planing mill."
+
+"Thank you, boy," said his father, stretching his hand quickly across
+the table, "I will back you up and won't worry you. Within reasonable
+limits I will give you a free hand."
+
+"I know you will, Dad," said Jack, "and of course I have been in the
+army long enough to know the difference between the O. C. and the
+sergeant-major."
+
+"Now, what about Tony?" inquired Maitland, reverting suddenly to what
+both felt to be a painful and perplexing problem. "What are we to do
+with him?"
+
+"I will take him on," said Jack. "I suppose I must."
+
+"He will be a heavy handicap to you, boy. Is there no other way?"
+
+"I see no other way," Jack replied. "I will give him a trial. Shall I
+bring him in?"
+
+"Bring him in."
+
+In a minute or two Jack returned with Tony. As Maitland's eyes fell upon
+him, he could not prevent a start of shocked surprise.
+
+"Why, Tony!" he exclaimed. "What in all the world is wrong with you? You
+are ill." Trembling, pale, obviously unstrung, Tony stood before him,
+his shifty eyes darting now at one face, then at the other, his hands
+restless, his whole appearance suggesting an imminent nervous collapse.
+"Why, Tony, boy, what is wrong with you?" repeated Maitland. The kindly
+tone proved too much for Tony's self-control. He gulped, choked, and
+stood speechless, his eyes cast down to the floor.
+
+"Sit down, Tony," said Maitland. "Give him a chair, Jack."
+
+But Jack said, "He doesn't need a chair. He is not here for a visit. You
+wanted to say something to him, did you not?" Jack's dry, matter-of-fact
+and slightly contemptuous tone had an instant and extraordinary effect
+upon the wretched man beside him.
+
+Instantly, Tony stiffened up. His head went back, he cast a swift glance
+at Jack's face, whose smile, slightly quizzical, slightly contemptuous,
+appeared to bite into his vitals. A hot flame of colour swept his pale
+and pasty face.
+
+"I want a job, sir," he said, in a tone low and fierce, looking straight
+at Mr. Maitland.
+
+Maitland, taking his cue from his son, replied in a quiet voice: "Can
+you hold a job?"
+
+"God knows," said Tony.
+
+"He does," replied Maitland, "but what about you?"
+
+Tony stood for a few moments saying nothing, darting uncertain glances
+now and then at Jack, on whose face still lingered the smile which Tony
+found so disturbing.
+
+"If you want work," continued Mr. Maitland, "and want to make it go,
+Tony, you can go with Jack. He will give it to you."
+
+"Jack!" exclaimed Tony. His face was a study. Uncertainty, fear, hope,
+disappointment were all there.
+
+"Yes, Jack," said Mr. Maitland. "He is manager in these works now."
+
+Tony threw back his head and laughed. "I guess I will have to work,
+then," he said.
+
+"You just bet you will, Tony," replied Jack. "Come along, we will go."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"I am taking you home. See you to-night, sir," Jack added, nodding to
+his father.
+
+The two young men passed out together to the car.
+
+"Yes, Tony," said Jack, "I have taken over your job."
+
+"My job? What do you mean by that?" asked Tony, bitter and sullen in
+face and tone.
+
+"I am the new manager of the planing mill. Dad had you slated for that
+position, but you hadn't manager-timber in you."
+
+Tony's answer was an oath, deep and heartfelt.
+
+"Yes," continued Jack, "manager-timber is rare and slow-growing stuff,
+Tony."
+
+Again Tony swore but kept silence, and so remained till they had reached
+his home. Together they walked into the living room. There they found
+Annette, and with her McNish. Both rose upon their entrance, McNish
+showing some slight confusion, and assuming the attitude of a bulldog on
+guard, Annette vividly eager, expectant, anxious.
+
+"Well," she cried, her hands going fluttering to her bosom.
+
+"I have got a job, Annette," said Tony, with a short laugh. "Here is my
+boss."
+
+For a moment the others stood looking at Jack, surprised into motionless
+silence.
+
+"I tell you, he is the new manager," repeated Tony, "and he is my boss."
+
+"What does he mean, Jack?" cried the girl, coming forward to Maitland
+with a quick, impulsive movement.
+
+"Just what he says, Annette. I am the new manager of the planing mill
+and I have given Tony a job."
+
+Again there fell a silence. Into the eyes of the bulldog McNish there
+shot a strange gleam of something that seemed almost like pleasure. In
+those brief moments of silence life was readjusting itself with them
+all. Maitland had passed from the rank and file of the workers into the
+class of those who direct and control their work. Bred as they were and
+trained as they were in the democratic atmosphere of Canada, they were
+immediately conscious of the shifting of values.
+
+Annette was the first to break silence. "I wish I could thank you," she
+said, "but I cannot. I cannot." The girl's face had changed. The eager
+light had faded from her dark eyes, her hands dropped quietly to her
+side. "But I am sure you know," she added after a pause, "how very, very
+grateful I am, how grateful we all are, Mr. Maitland."
+
+"Annette," said Jack severely, "drop that 'Mr.' stuff. I was your friend
+yesterday. Am I any less your friend to-day? True enough, I am Tony's
+boss, but Tony is my friend--that is, if he wants to have it so. You
+must believe this, Annette."
+
+He offered her his hand. With a sudden impulse she took it in both of
+hers and held it hard against her breast, her eyes meanwhile burning
+into his with a look of adoration, open and unashamed. She apparently
+forgot the others in the room.
+
+"Jack," she cried, her voice thrilling with passion, "I don't care what
+you are. I don't care what you think. I will never, never forget what
+you have done for me."
+
+Maitland flung a swift glance at McNish and was startled at the look of
+rage, of agonised rage, that convulsed his face.
+
+"My dear Annette," he said, with a light laugh, "don't make too much of
+it. I was glad to help Tony and you. Why shouldn't I help old friends?"
+
+As he was speaking they heard the sound of a door closing and looking
+about, Jack found that McNish had gone, to be followed by Tony a moment
+or two later.
+
+"Oh, never mind him," cried Annette, answering Jack's look of surprise.
+"He has to go to work. And it doesn't matter in the least."
+
+Jack was vaguely disturbed by McNish's sudden disappearance.
+
+"But, Annette," he said, "I don't want McNish to think that I--that
+you--"
+
+"What?" She leaned toward him, her face all glowing with warm and eager
+light, her eyes aflame, her bosom heaving. "What, Jack?" she whispered.
+"What does it matter what he thinks?"
+
+He put out his hands. With a quick, light step she was close to him, her
+face lifted up in passionate surrender. Swiftly Jack's arms went around
+her and he drew her toward him.
+
+"Annette, dear," he said, and his voice was quiet and kind, too kind.
+"You are a dear girl and a good girl, and I am glad to have helped you
+and shall always be glad to help you."
+
+The door opened and Tony slipped into the room. With passionate
+violence, Annette threw away the encircling arms.
+
+"Ah!" she cried, a sob catching her voice. "You--you shame me. No--I
+shame myself." Rigid, with head flung back, she stood before him, her
+eyes ablaze with passionate anger, her hands clenched tight. She had
+flung herself at him and had been rejected.
+
+"What the devil is this?" cried Tony, striding toward them. "What is he
+doing to you, Annette?"
+
+"He?" cried Annette, her breath coming in sobs. "To me? Nothing! Keep
+out of it, Tony." She pushed him fiercely aside. "He has done nothing!
+No! No! Nothing but what is good and kind. Ah! kind. Yes, kind." Her
+voice rose shrill in scorn of herself and of him. "Oh, yes, he is kind."
+She laughed wildly, then broke into passionate tears. She turned from
+them and fled to her room, leaving the two men looking at each other.
+
+"Poor child," said Jack, the first to recover speech. "She is quite all
+in. She has had two hard weeks of it."
+
+"Two hard weeks," repeated Tony, his eyes glaring. "What is the matter
+with my sister? What have you done to her?" His voice was like the growl
+of a savage dog.
+
+"Don't be a confounded fool, Tony," replied Jack. "You ought to know
+what is the matter with your sister. You have had something to do with
+it. And now your job is to see if you can make it up to her. To-morrow
+morning, at seven o'clock, remember," he said curtly, and, turning on
+his heel, he passed out.
+
+It seemed to Jack as he drove home that life had suddenly become a
+tangle of perplexities and complications. First there was Annette. He
+was genuinely distressed as he thought of the scene through which they
+had just passed. That he himself had anything to do with her state of
+mind did not occur to him.
+
+"Poor little girl," he said to himself, "she really needs a change of
+some sort, a complete rest. We must find some way of helping her. She
+will be all right in a day or two." With which he dismissed the subject.
+
+Then there was McNish. McNish was a sore puzzle to him. He had come
+to regard the Scotchman with a feeling of sincere friendliness. He
+remembered gratefully his ready and efficient help against the attacks
+of the radical element among his fellow workmen. On several occasions
+he, with the Reverend Murdo Matheson, had foregathered in the McNish
+home to discuss economic problems over a quiet pipe. He was always
+conscious of a reserve deepening at times to a sullenness in McNish's
+manner, the cause of which he could not certainly discover. That McNish
+was possessed of a mentality of more than ordinary power there was
+no manner of doubt. Jack had often listened with amazement to his
+argumentation with the Reverend Murdo, against whom he proved over and
+over again his ability to hold his own, the minister's superiority as
+a trained logician being more than counterbalanced by his antagonist's
+practical experience.
+
+As he thought of these evenings, he was ready to believe that his
+suspicion of the Scotchman's ill-will toward himself was due largely to
+imagination, and yet he could not rid himself of the unpleasant memory
+of McNish's convulsed face that afternoon.
+
+"What the deuce is the matter with the beggar, anyway?" he said to
+himself.
+
+Suddenly a new suggestion came to him.
+
+"It can't be," he added, "surely the idiot is not jealous." Then he
+remembered Annette's attitude at the moment, her hands pressing his hard
+to her breast, her face lifted up in something more than appeal.
+"By Jove! I believe that may be it," he mused. "And Annette? Had
+she observed it? What was in her heart? Was there a reason for the
+Scotchman's jealousy on that side?"
+
+This thought disturbed him greatly. He was not possessed of a larger
+measure of self-conceit than falls to the lot of the average young man,
+but the thought that possibly Annette had come to regard him other than
+as a friend released a new tide of emotion within him. Rapidly he passed
+in review many incidents in their association during the months since he
+returned from the war, and gradually the conviction forced itself upon
+him that possibly McNish was not without some cause for jealousy. It
+was rotten luck and was bound to interfere with their present happy
+relations. Yet none the less was he conscious that it was not altogether
+an unpleasant thought to him that in some subtle way a new bond had been
+established between this charming young girl and himself.
+
+But he must straighten things out with McNish at the very first
+opportunity. He was a decent chap and would make Annette a first-rate
+husband. Indeed, it pleased Jack not a little to feel that he would be
+able to further the fortunes of both. McNish had good foreman timber in
+him and would make a capable assistant. As to this silly prejudice of
+his, Jack resolved that he would take steps immediately to have that
+removed. That he could accomplish this he had little doubt.
+
+But the most acutely pressing of the problems that engaged his mind were
+those that arose out of his new position as manager. The mere organizing
+and directing of men in their work gave him little anxiety. He was sure
+of himself as far as that was concerned. He was sure of his ability
+to introduce among the men a system of team play that would result in
+increased production and would induce altogether better results. He
+thought he knew where the weak spots were. He counted greatly upon the
+support of the men who had been associated with him in the Maitland
+Mills Athletic Association. With their backing, he was certain that he
+could eliminate most of that very considerable wastage in time that
+even a cursory observation had revealed to him in the shops, due to
+such causes as dilatory workers, idle machines, lack of co-ordination,
+improper routing of work, and the like. He had the suspicion that a
+little investigation would reveal other causes of wastage as well.
+
+There was one feature in the situation that gave him concern and that
+was the radical element in the unions. Simmons and his gang had from the
+very first assumed an attitude of hostility to himself, had sought to
+undermine his influence and had fought his plans for the promotion of
+clean sport among the Mill men. None knew better than Simmons that an
+active interest in clean and vigorous outdoor sports tended to produce
+contentment of mind, and a contented body of men offered unfertile soil
+for radical and socialistic doctrines. Hence, Simmons had from the first
+openly and vociferously opposed with contemptuous and bitter indignation
+all Jack's schemes and plans for the promotion of athletic sports. But
+Jack had been able to carry the men with him and the recent splendid
+victory over a famous team had done much to discredit brother Simmons
+and his propaganda.
+
+Already Jack was planning a new schedule of games for the summer.
+Baseball, football, cricket, would give occupation and interest to all
+classes of Mill workers. And in his new position he felt he might be
+able, to an even greater degree, to carry out the plans which he had
+in mind. On the other hand, he knew full well that men were apt to be
+suspicious of welfare schemes "promoted from above." His own hockey men
+he felt sure he could carry with him. If he could only win McNish to
+be his sergeant-major, success would be assured. This must be his first
+care.
+
+He well knew that McNish had no love for Simmons, whom the Scotchman
+despised first, because he was no craftsman, and chiefly because he had
+no soundly-based system of economics but was governed by the sheerest
+opportunism in all his activities. A combination between McNish and
+Simmons might create a situation not easy to deal with. Jack resolved
+that that combination should be prevented. He would see McNish at once,
+after the meeting of his local, which he remembered was set for that
+very night.
+
+This matter being settled, he determined to proceed immediately to the
+office for an interview with Wickes. He must get to know as speedily
+as possible something of the shop organization and of its effect upon
+production. He found Mr. Wickes awaiting him with tremulous and exultant
+delight, eager to put himself, his experience, his knowledge and
+all that he possessed at the disposal of the new manager. The whole
+afternoon was given to this work, and before the day was done, Jack had
+in his mind a complete picture of the planing mill, with every machine
+in place and an estimate, more or less exact, of the capacity of every
+machine. In the course of this investigation, he was surprised to
+discover that there was no detailed record of the actual production
+of each machine, nor, indeed, anything in the way of an accurate cost
+system in any department of the whole business.
+
+"How do you keep track of your men and their work, Wickes?" he inquired.
+
+"Oh!" said the old man, "the foremen know all about that, Mr. Jack."
+
+"But how can they know? What check have they?"
+
+"Well, they are always about, Mr. Jack, and keep their eyes on things
+generally."
+
+"I see," said Jack. "And do you find that works quite satisfactorily?"
+
+"Well, sir, we have never gone into details, you know, Mr. Jack, but if
+you wish--"
+
+"Oh, no, Wickes, I am just trying to get the hang of things, you know."
+Jack was unwilling to even suggest a criticism of method at so early
+a stage in his managerial career. "I want to know how you run things,
+Wickes, and at any time I shall be glad of assistance from you."
+
+The old bookkeeper hastened to give him almost tearful assurance of his
+desire to assist to the utmost of his power.
+
+The meeting of Local 197 of the Woodworkers' Union was largely attended,
+a special whip having been sent out asking for a full meeting on the
+ground that a matter of vital importance to unionised labour was to be
+considered.
+
+The matter of importance turned out to be nothing less than a
+proposition that the Woodworkers' Union should join with all other
+unions in the town to make a united demand upon their respective
+employers for an increase in wages and better conditions all around, in
+connection with their various industries. The question was brought up in
+the form of a resolution from their executive, which strongly urged
+that this demand should be approved and that a joint committee should be
+appointed to take steps for the enforcement of the demand. The executive
+had matters thoroughly in hand. Brother Simmons and the more radical
+element were kept to the background, the speakers chosen to present the
+case being all moderates. There was no suggestion of extreme measures.
+Their demands were reasonable, and it was believed that the employers
+were prepared to give fair consideration--indeed, members had had
+assurance from an authoritative quarter on the other side that such was
+the case.
+
+Notwithstanding the moderate tone adopted in presenting it, the
+resolution met with strenuous opposition. The great majority of those
+present were quiet, steady-going men who wanted chiefly to be let alone
+at their work and who were hostile to the suggested action, which might
+finally land them in "trouble." The old-time workers in the Maitland
+Mills had no grievances against their employer. They, of course, would
+gladly accept an increase in wages, for the cost of living was steadily
+climbing, but they disliked intensely the proposed method of making a
+general demand for an increase in wages and for better conditions.
+
+The sporting element in the meeting were frankly and fiercely
+antagonistic to anything that would disturb the present friendly
+relation with their employers in the Maitland Mills. "The old man" had
+always done the square thing. He had shown himself a "regular fellow" in
+backing them up in all their games during the past year. He had always
+given them a fair hearing and a square deal. They would not stand for
+any hold-up game of this sort. It was a low-down game, anyway.
+
+The promoters of the resolution began to be anxious for their cause.
+They had not anticipated any such a strong opposition and were rather
+nonplussed as to the next move. Brother Simmons was in a fury and was on
+the point of breaking forth into a passionate denunciation of scabs and
+traitors generally when, to the amazement of all and the intense
+delight of the supporters of the administration, McNish arose and gave
+unqualified support to the resolution.
+
+His speech was a masterpiece of diplomacy, and revealed his long
+practice in the art of oratory in that best of all training schools,
+the labour union of the Old Land. He began by expressing entire
+sympathy with the spirit of the opposition. The opposition, however, had
+completely misunderstood the intent and purport of the resolution. None
+of them desired trouble. There need not be, indeed, he hoped there would
+not be trouble, but there were certain very ugly facts that must be
+faced. He then, in terse, forceful language, presented the facts
+in connection with the cost of living, quoting statistics from the
+Department of Labour to show the steady rise in the price of articles
+of food, fuel and clothing since the beginning of the war, a truly
+appalling array. He had secured price lists from dealers in these
+commodities, both wholesale and retail, to show the enormous profits
+made during the war. There were returned soldiers present. They had not
+hesitated at the call of duty to give all they had for their country.
+They had been promised great things when they had left their homes,
+their families, their business and their jobs. How had they found things
+upon their return? He illustrated his argument from the cases of men
+present. It was a sore spot with many of them and he pressed hard upon
+it. They were suffering to-day; worse, their wives and children were
+suffering. Had anyone heard of their employers suffering? Here again he
+offered illustrations of men who had made a good thing out of the war.
+True, there were many examples of the other kind of employer, but they
+must deal with classes and not individuals in a case like this. This was
+part of a much bigger thing than any mere local issue. He drew upon his
+experience in the homeland with overwhelming effect. His voice rose and
+rolled in his richest Doric as he passionately denounced the tyranny of
+the masters in the coal and iron industries in the homeland. He was not
+an extremist; he had never been one. Indeed, all who knew him would bear
+him out when he said that he had been an opponent of Brother Simmons and
+those who thought with him on economic questions. This sudden change in
+attitude would doubtless surprise his brothers. He had been forced to
+change by the stern logic of facts. There was nothing in this resolution
+which any reasonable worker might object to. There was nothing in the
+resolution that every worker with any sympathy with his fellow workers
+should not support. Moreover, he warned them that if they presented
+a united front, there would be little fear of trouble. If they were
+divided in their ranks, or if they were halfhearted in their demands,
+they would invite opposition and, therefore, trouble. He asked them all
+to stand together in supporting a reasonable demand, which he felt sure
+reasonable men would consider favorably.
+
+The effect of his speech was overwhelming. The administration supporters
+were exuberant in their enthusiastic applause and in their vociferous
+demands for a vote. The opposition were paralysed by the desertion of
+one whom they had regarded and trusted as a leader against the radical
+element and were left without answer to the masterly array of facts and
+arguments which he had presented.
+
+At this point, the door opened and Maitland walked in. A few moments of
+tense silence, and then something seemed to snap. The opposition, led
+by the hockey men and their supporters, burst into a demonstration
+of welcome. The violence of the demonstration was not solely upon
+Maitland's account. The leaders of the opposition were quick to realise
+that his entrance had created a diversion for them which might save
+them from disastrous defeat. They made the most of this opportunity,
+prolonging the demonstration and joining in a "chair procession" which
+carried Maitland shoulder-high about the room, in the teeth of the
+violent protest of Brother Simmons and his following.
+
+Order being restored, business was again resumed, when Brother Macnamara
+rose to his feet and, in a speech incoherent at times, but always
+forceful, proposed that the usual order be suspended and that here and
+now a motion be carried expressing their gratification at the recent
+great hockey victory and referring in highly laudatory terms to the
+splendid work of Brother Captain Maitland, to whose splendid efforts
+victory was largely due.
+
+It was in vain that Brother Simmons and those of his way of thinking
+sought to stem the tide of disorder. The motion was carried with
+acclaim.
+
+No sooner had this matter been disposed of than Maitland rose to his
+feet and said:
+
+"Mr. President, I wish to thank you all for this very kind reference to
+my team and myself. I take very little credit for the victory which we
+won. We had a good team, indeed, quite a remarkable team. I have played
+in a good many athletic teams of various kinds, but in two particulars
+the Maitland Mills Hockey Team is the most remarkable of any I have
+known--first, in their splendid loyalty in taking their training and
+sticking together; that was beyond all praise; and, secondly, in the
+splendid grit which they showed in playing a losing game. Now, Mr.
+President, I am going to do something which gives me more regret than
+any of you can understand. I have to offer my resignation as a member of
+this union. I have accepted the position of manager of the planing mill
+and I understand that this makes it necessary that I resign as a member
+of this union. I don't really see why this should be necessary. I don't
+believe myself that it should, and, brothers, I expect to live long
+enough to belong to a union that will allow a fellow like me to be a
+member with chaps like you. But meantime, for the present I must resign.
+You have treated me like a brother and a chum. I have learned a lot
+from you all, but one thing especially, which I shall never forget:
+that there is no real difference in men that is due to their position in
+life; that a man's job doesn't change his heart."
+
+He paused for a few moments as if to gather command of his voice, which
+had become suddenly husky.
+
+"I am sorry to leave you, boys, and I want to say to you from my heart
+that though I cannot remain a member of this union, I can be and I will
+be a brother to you all the same. And I promise you that, as far as I
+can, I will work for the good of the union in the future as I have done
+in the past."
+
+McNish alone was prepared for this dramatic announcement, although they
+all knew that Maitland sooner or later would assume a position
+which would link him up with the management of the business. But the
+suddenness of the change and the dramatic setting of the announcement
+created an impression so profound as to neutralise completely the effect
+of McNish's masterly speech.
+
+Disappointed and enraged at the sudden turn of events, he was too good
+a general to allow himself to be routed in disorder. He set about to
+gather his disordered forces for a fresh attack, when once more the
+hockey men took command of the field. This time it was Snoopy Sykes, the
+most voiceless member of the union.
+
+After a few moments of dazed silence that followed Maitland's
+announcement of his resignation, Snoopy rose and, encouraged by the
+cheers of his astonished comrades, began the maiden speech of his life.
+
+"Mr. President," he shouted.
+
+"Go to it, Snoopy, old boy."
+
+"I never made a speech in my life, never--"
+
+"Good, old scout, never begin younger! Cheerio, old son!"
+
+"And I want to say that he don't need to. I once heard of a feller who
+didn't. He kept on and he didn't do no harm to nobody. And the Captain
+here wouldn't neither. So what I say is he don't need to," and Snoopy
+sat down with the whole brotherhood gazing at him in silence and amazed
+perplexity, not one of them being able to attach the faintest meaning to
+Snoopy's amazing oration.
+
+At length Fatty Findlay, another of the voiceless ones, but the very
+special pal of Snoopy Sykes, broke forth in a puzzled voice:
+
+"Say it again, Snoopy."
+
+There was a roar of laughter, which only grew in volume as Snoopy turned
+toward his brothers a wrathful and bewildered countenance.
+
+"No," said another voice. "Say something else, Snoopy. Shoot a goal this
+time."
+
+Again Snoopy rose. "What I said was this," he began indignantly. Again
+there was a roar of laughter.
+
+"Say, you fellers, shut up and give a feller a chance. The Captain wants
+to resign. I say 'No.' He is a darned good scout. We want him and we
+won't let him go. Let him keep his card."
+
+"By the powers," roared Macnamara, "it is a goal, Snoopy. It's a
+humdinger. I second the motion."
+
+It was utterly in vain that Brother Simmons and his whole following
+pointed out unitedly and successively the utter impossibility and
+absurdity of the proposal which was unconstitutional and without
+precedent. The hockey team had the company with them and with the bit in
+their teeth swept all before them.
+
+At this point, McNish displayed the master-hand that comes from long
+experience. He saw his opportunity and seized it.
+
+"Mr. President," he said, and at once he received the most complete
+attention. "A confess this is a most extraordinary proposal, but A'm
+goin' tae support it." The roar that answered told him that he
+had regained control of the meeting. "Brother Simmons says it is
+unconstitutional and without precedent. He is no correct in this. A
+have known baith maisters and managers who retained their union cards.
+A grant ye it is unusual, but may I point oot that the circumstances are
+unusual?"--Wild yells of approval--"And Captain Maitland is an unusual
+man"--louder yells of approval--"It may that there is something in the
+constitution o' this union that stands in the way--Cries of "No! No!"
+and consignment of the constitution to a nameless locality.--"A venture
+to suggest that a committee be appointed, consisting of Brothers Sykes,
+Macnamara and the chairman, wi' poors tae add, tae go into this maitter
+with Captain Maitland and report."
+
+It was a master-stroke. A true union man regards with veneration the
+constitution and hesitates to tamper with it except in a perfectly
+constitutional manner. The opposition to the administration's original
+resolution had gained what they sought, a temporary stay. The committee
+was appointed and the danger to both the resolution and the constitution
+for the present averted.
+
+Again Mr. McNish took command. "And noo, Mr. President," he said, "the
+oor is late. We are all tired and we all wish to give mair thocht to the
+main maitter before us. A move, therefore, that we adjourn to the call
+o' the Executive."
+
+Once more Brother Simmons found himself in a protesting minority, and
+the meeting broke up, the opposition jubilant over their victory, the
+supporters of the administration determined to await a more convenient
+time.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+LIGHT THAT IS DARKNESS
+
+
+At the next monthly meeting of Local 197 of the Woodworkers' Union, the
+executive had little difficulty in finally shelving the report of its
+committee appointed to deal with the resignation of Captain Maitland,
+and as little difficulty in passing by unanimous vote their resolution
+held up at the last meeting. The allied unions had meantime been
+extended to include the building trades. Their organization had been
+perfected and their discipline immensely strengthened. Many causes
+contributed to this result. A month's time had elapsed and the high
+emotional tides due to athletic enthusiasm, especially the hockey
+victory, had had space to subside. The dead season for all outdoor games
+was upon them and the men, losing touch with each other and with their
+captain, who was engrossed in studying his new duties, began to spend
+their leisure hours in loafing about the streets or lounging in the pool
+rooms.
+
+All over the country the groundswell of unrest was steadily and rapidly
+rising. The returned soldiers who had failed to readjust themselves to
+the changed conditions of life and to the changes wrought in themselves
+by the war, embittered, disillusioned and disappointed, fell an easy
+prey to unscrupulous leaders and were being exploited in the interests
+of all sorts of fads and foolish movements. Their government bonuses
+were long since spent and many of them, through no fault of their own,
+found themselves facing a situation full of difficulty, hardship, and
+often of humiliation.
+
+Under the influence of financial inflation and deceived by the abundant
+flow of currency in every department of business, industries by the
+score started up all over the land. Few could foresee the approach of
+dark and stern days. It was in vain that financial leaders began to
+sound a note of warning, calling for retrenchment and thrift. And now
+the inevitable results were beginning to appear. The great steel and
+coal industries began to curtail their operations, while desperately
+striving to maintain war prices for their products. Other industries
+followed their example. All the time the cost of living continued
+to mount. Foodstuffs reached unheard-of prices, which, under the
+manipulations of unscrupulous dealers, continued to climb.
+
+Small wonder that working men with high wages and plenty of money in
+their hands cherished exaggerated ideas of their wealth and developed
+extravagant tastes in dress, amusements and in standard of living. With
+the rest of the world, they failed to recognise the fact that money
+was a mere counter in wealth and not wealth itself. To a large extent,
+thrift was abandoned and while deposits in the savings banks grew in
+volume, the depositors failed to recognise the fact that the value of
+the dollar had decreased fifty per cent. Already the reaction from all
+this had begun to set in. Nervousness paralysed the great financial
+institutions. The fiat went forth "No more money for industrial
+enterprises. No more advances on wholesale stocks." The order was issued
+"Retrench. Take your losses, unload your stocks." This men were slow to
+do, and while all agreed upon the soundness of the policy, each waited
+for the other to begin.
+
+Through the month of April anxiety, fear and discontent began to haunt
+the minds of business men. In the labour world the High Command was
+quick to sense the approach of a crisis and began to make preparations
+for the coming storm. The whole industrial and commercial world
+gradually crystallised into its two opposing classes. A subsidised press
+began earnestly to demand lower cost in productions retrenchment in
+expenditure, a cut in labour costs, a general and united effort to meet
+the inevitable burden of deflation.
+
+On the other hand, an inspired press began to raise an outcry against
+the increasing cost of living, to point out the effect of the house
+famine upon the income of the working man, and to sound a warning as to
+the danger and folly of any sudden reduction in the wage scale.
+
+Increased activity in the ranks of organised labour began to be
+apparent. Everywhere the wild and radical element was gaining in
+influence and in numbers, and the spirit of faction and internecine
+strife became rampant.
+
+It was due to the dominating forcefulness of McNish, the leader of
+the moderates, that the two factions in the allied unions had been
+consolidated, and a single policy agreed upon. His whole past had been
+a preparation for just a crisis as the present. His wide reading, his
+shrewd practical judgment, his large experience in labour movements in
+the Old Land, gave him a position of commanding influence which enabled
+him to dominate the executives and direct their activities. His sudden
+and unexplained acceptance of the more radical program won for him an
+enthusiastic following of the element which had hitherto recognised the
+leadership of Brother Simmons. Day and night, with a zeal that never
+tired, he laboured at the work of organising and disciplining the
+various factions and parties in the ranks of labour into a single
+compact body of fighting men under a single command. McNish was in the
+grip of one of the mightiest of human passions. Since that day in the
+Perrotte home, when he had seen the girl that he loved practically offer
+herself, as he thought, to another man, he had resolutely kept himself
+away from her. He had done with her forever and he had torn out of his
+heart the genuine friendship which he had begun to hold toward the man
+who had deprived him of her love. But deep in his heart he nourished a
+passion for vengeance that became an obsession, a madness with him. He
+merely waited the opportunity to gratify his passion.
+
+He learned that the Maitland Mills were in deep water, financially. His
+keen economic instinct and his deep study of economic movements told
+him that a serious financial crisis, continent-wide, was inevitable and
+imminent. It only needed a successful labour war to give the final touch
+that would bring the whole industrial fabric tumbling into ruin. The
+desire for immediate revenge upon the man toward whom he had come to
+cherish an implacable hatred would not suffer him to await the onset of
+a nation-wide industrial crisis. He fancied that he saw the opportunity
+for striking an immediate blow here in Blackwater.
+
+He steadily thwarted Maitland's attempts to get into touch with him,
+whether at the works or in his own home, where Maitland had become
+a frequent visitor. He was able only partially to allay his mother's
+anxiety and her suspicion that all was not well with him. That shrewd
+old lady knew her son well enough to suspect that some untoward
+circumstance had befallen him, but she knew also that she could do no
+more than bide her time.
+
+With the workers of the Maitland Mills circumstances favoured the plans
+of McNish and the Executive of the allied unions. The new manager was
+beginning to make his hand felt upon the wheel. Checks upon wastage in
+labour time and in machine time were being instituted; everywhere there
+was a tightening up of loose screws and a knitting up of loose ends,
+with the inevitable consequent irritation. This was especially true in
+the case of Tony Perrotte, to whom discipline was ever an external force
+and never an inward compulsion. Inexact in everything he did, irregular
+in his habits, irresponsible in his undertakings, he met at every turn
+the pressure of the firm, resolute hand of the new manager. Deep down
+in his heart there was an abiding admiration and affection for Jack
+Maitland, but he loathed discipline and kicked against it.
+
+The first of May is ever a day of uncertainty and unrest in the world
+of labour. It is a time for readjustment, for the fixing of wage scales,
+for the assertion of labour rights and the ventilating of labour wrongs.
+It is a time favourable to upheaval, and is therefore awaited by all
+employers of labour with considerable anxiety.
+
+On the surface there was not a ripple to indicate that as far as the
+Maitland Mills were concerned there was beneath a surging tide of
+unrest. So undisturbed indeed was the surface that the inexperienced
+young manager was inclined to make light of the anxieties of his father,
+and was confident in his assurance that the danger of a labour crisis
+had, for the present at least, been averted.
+
+Out of the blue heaven fell the bolt. The mails on May Day morning
+brought to the desk of every manager of every industry in Blackwater,
+and to every building contractor, a formal document setting forth in
+terms courteous but firm the demands of the executives of the allied
+unions of Blackwater.
+
+"Well, it has come, boy," was Maitland's greeting to his son, who came
+into the office for the usual morning consultation.
+
+"What?" said Jack.
+
+"War," replied his father, tossing him the letter and watching his face
+as he read it.
+
+Jack handed him the letter without a word.
+
+"Well, what do you think of it?" said his father.
+
+"It might be worse."
+
+"Worse?" roared his father. "Worse? How can it be worse?"
+
+"Well, it is really a demand for an increase in wages. The others, I
+believe, are mere frills. And between ourselves, sir, though I haven't
+gone into it very carefully, I am not sure but that an increase in wages
+is about due."
+
+Maitland glowered at his son in a hurt and hopeless rage.
+
+"An increase in wages due?" he said. "After the increase of six months
+ago? The thing is preposterous. The ungrateful scoundrels!"
+
+At this point the telephone upon his desk rang. Jack took up the
+receiver.
+
+"Good morning, Mr. McGinnis. . . . Yes, he is here. Yes. . . . At least,
+I suppose so. . . . Oh, I don't know. . . . It is rather peremptory.
+. . . All right, sir, I shall tell him."
+
+"Let me talk to him," said his father, impatiently.
+
+"Never mind just now, Dad," said Jack, with his hand over the receiver.
+Then through the telephone he said: "All right, sir; he will await you
+here. Good morning."
+
+". . . The old boy is wild," said Jack with a slight laugh. "The wires
+are quite hot."
+
+"This is no joke, Jack, I can tell you. McGinnis is coming over, is he?"
+
+"Yes," replied Jack, "but we won't get much help from him."
+
+"Why not?" inquired his father. "He is a very shrewd and able business
+man."
+
+"He may be all that, sir, but in a case like this, if you really want my
+opinion, and I have no wish to be disrespectful, he is a hot-headed ass.
+Just the kind of employer to rejoice the heart of a clever labour leader
+who is out for trouble. Dad," and Jack's voice became very earnest,
+"let's work this out by ourselves. We can handle our own men better
+without the help of McGinnis or any other."
+
+"That is just the trouble. Look at this precious document, 'The Allied
+Unions.' What have I got to do with them? And signed by Simmons and
+McDonough. Who is McDonough, pray?"
+
+"McDonough? Oh, I know McDonough. He is a little like
+McGinnis--big-hearted, hot-headed, good in a scrap, useless in a
+conference. But I suggest, sir, that we ignore the slight unpleasant
+technicalities in the manner and method of negotiation and try to deal
+with our own people in a reasonable way."
+
+"I am ready always to meet my own people, but I refuse utterly to deal
+with this committee!" It was not often that Mr. Maitland became profane,
+but in his description of this particular group of individuals his
+ordinary English suffered a complete collapse.
+
+"Dad, McGinnis will be here in a few minutes. I should like to suggest
+one or two things, if you will allow me."
+
+"Go on," said his father quickly.
+
+"Dad, this is war, and I have learned a little about that game 'over
+there.' And I have learned something about it in my athletic activities.
+The first essential is to decline to play the enemy's game. Let's
+discover his plan of campaign. As I read this document, the thing that
+hits my eye is this: do they really want the things they ask for, or
+is the whole thing a blind? What I mean is, do they really want war or
+peace? I say let's feel them out. If they are after peace, the thing
+is easy. If they want war, this may come to be a very serious thing.
+Meantime, Dad, let's not commit ourselves to McGinnis. Let's play it
+alone."
+
+Mr. Maitland's lips had set in a thin, hard line. His face was like a
+mask of grey steel. He sat thinking silently.
+
+"Here he comes," said Jack, looking out of the window. "Dad, you asked
+me to come into this with you. Let's play the game together. I found it
+wise to place the weight on the defence line. Will you play defence in
+this?"
+
+The lines in his father's face began to relax.
+
+"All right, boy, we'll play it together, and meantime I shall play
+defence."
+
+"By Jove, Dad," cried Jack, in a tone of exultant confidence, "we'll
+beat 'em. And now here comes that old Irish fire-eater. I'll go. No
+alliance, Dad, remember." His father nodded as Jack left the room, to
+return almost immediately with Mr. McGinnis, evidently quite incoherent
+with rage.
+
+In the outer office Jack paused beside the desk of the old bookkeeper.
+From behind the closed door came the sound of high explosives.
+
+"Rough stuff in there, eh, Wickes," said Jack, with a humorous smile.
+For some moments he stood listening. "War is a terrible thing," he added
+with a grin.
+
+"What seems to be the matter, Mr. Jack?"
+
+Jack laid before him the document sent out by the Allied Unions.
+
+"Oh, this is terrible, Mr. Jack! And just at this time. I am very much
+afraid it will ruin us."
+
+"Ruin us? Rot. Don't ever say that word again. We will possibly have
+a jolly good row. Someone will be hurt and perhaps all of us, more or
+less, but I don't mean to be beaten, if I know myself," he added, with
+the smile on his face that his hockey team loved to see before a match.
+"Now, Wickes," continued Jack, "get that idea of failure out of
+your mind. We are going to win. And meantime, let us prepare for our
+campaign. Here's a bit of work I want you to do for me. Get four things
+for me: the wages for the last three years--you have the sheets?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"--The cost of living from the Labour Gazette for the last three
+years--you have them here--and the rates of increase in wages. Plot a
+diagram showing all these things. You know what I mean?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I understand."
+
+"And find out the wages paid at our competing points."
+
+"All right, Mr. Jack. I know what you want. I can give you the necessary
+information in regard to the first three points almost at once. It will
+take some days, however, to get the wages of our competing points."
+
+"All right, old boy. Carry on!" said Jack, and with the same smile on
+his face he passed out of the office into the shops.
+
+It amused him slightly to observe the change in the attitude and bearing
+of his men. They would not look at him fairly in the face. Even Snoopy
+Sykes and Macnamara avoided his glance. But he had for everyone his
+usual cheery word. Why should he not? These chaps had no hatred for him,
+nor he for them. He had come to understand union methods of discipline
+and recognised fully the demands for loyalty and obedience imposed upon
+its members by the organisation. These men of his were bound to the
+union by solemn obligations. He bore them no ill-will on that score.
+Rather he respected them the more for it. If a fight was inevitable, he
+would do his best to beat them but he would allow no spirit of hatred to
+change his mind toward them nor cloud his judgment.
+
+The day was full of excursions and alarms. A hurry call was sent out by
+McGinnis to all employers who had received copies of the document from
+the Allied Unions. In the afternoon a meeting was held in the Board
+of Trade Building, but it was given over chiefly to vituperation and
+threatening directed toward their variously described employees. With
+one heart and voice all affirmed with solemn, and in many cases with
+profane oaths that they would not yield a jot to the insolent demands of
+this newly organised body.
+
+"I have already sent my answer," shouted Mr. McGinnis.
+
+"What did you say, Mac?"
+
+"Told 'em to go to hell, and told 'em that if any of these highly
+coloured committee men came on my premises, I would kick 'em into the
+middle of next week."
+
+Jack, who was present at the meeting, sat listening with silent and
+amused pity. They seemed to him so like a group of angry children whose
+game had suddenly been interfered with and whose rage rendered them
+incapable of coherent thought.
+
+Grant Maitland, who, throughout the meeting had sat silent, finally rose
+and said: "Gentlemen, the mere expression of feeling may afford a
+sort of satisfaction but the question is, What is to be done? That the
+situation is grave for all of us we know too well. Not many of us are in
+a position to be indifferent to a strike. Let us get down to business.
+What shall we do?"
+
+"Fight them to a finish! Smash the unions!" were the suggestions in
+various forms and with various descriptive adjectives.
+
+"It may come to a fight, gentlemen, but however gratifying a fight may
+be to our feelings, a fight may be disastrous to our business. A strike
+may last for weeks, perhaps months. Are we in a position to stand that?
+And as for smashing the unions, let us once and for all put such
+a thought out of our minds. These unions have all international
+affiliations. It is absurd to imagine that we here in Blackwater could
+smash a single union."
+
+Fiercely McGinnis made reply. "I want to tell you right here and now
+that I am prepared to close down and go out of business but I will have
+no outside committee tell me how to run my job."
+
+But no one took this threat seriously, and no one but knew that a
+shut-down for any of them might mean disaster. They all recalled those
+unfilled orders which they were straining every nerve to complete before
+the market should break, or cancellation should come. It added not a
+little to their rage that they knew themselves to be held in the grip of
+circumstances over which they had little control.
+
+After much angry deliberation it was finally agreed that they should
+appoint a committee to consider the whole situation and to prepare a
+plan of action. Meantime the committee were instructed to temporise with
+the enemy.
+
+The evening papers announced the imminence of a strike the extent
+and magnitude of which had never been experienced in the history
+of Blackwater. Everywhere the citizens of the industrial town were
+discussing the disturbing news anxiously, angrily, indifferently,
+according as they were variously affected. But there was a general
+agreement among all classes of citizens that a strike in the present
+industrial and financial situation which was already serious enough,
+would be nothing short of a calamity, because no matter what the issue
+would be, no matter which of the parties won in the conflict, a fight
+meant serious loss not only to the two parties immediately concerned,
+but to the whole community as well. With the rank and file of the
+working people there was little heart for a fight. More especially, men
+upon whom lay the responsibility for the support of homes shrank from
+the pain and the suffering, as well as from the loss which experience
+taught them a strike must entail. It is safe to say that in every
+working man's home in Blackwater that night there was to be found a
+woman who, as she put her children to bed, prayed that trouble might
+be averted, for she knew that in every war it is upon the women and
+children that in the last analysis the sorest burden must fall. To
+them even victory would mean for many months a loss of luxuries for the
+family, it might be of comforts; and defeat, which would come not until
+after long conflict, would mean not only straitened means but actual
+poverty, with all the attendant humiliation and bitterness which would
+kill for them the joy of life and sensibly add to its already heavy
+burden.
+
+That night Jack Maitland felt that a chat with the Reverend Murdo
+Matheson might help to clear his own mind as to the demands of the
+Allied Unions. He found the minister in his study and in great distress
+of soul.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Maitland," he said, giving him a hearty greeting.
+"My hope is largely placed in you and you must not fail me in this
+crisis. What exactly are the demands of the unions?"
+
+Maitland spread before him the letter which his father had received that
+morning. The Reverend Murdo read it carefully over, then, with a sigh
+of relief, he said: "Well, it might be worse. There should not be much
+difficulty in coming to an agreement between people anxious for peace."
+
+After an hour spent in canvassing the subject from various points of
+view, the Reverend Murdo exclaimed: "Let us go and see McNish."
+
+"The very thing," said Maitland. "I have been trying to get in touch
+with him for the last month or so, but he avoids me."
+
+"Ay," replied the Reverend Murdo, "he has a reason, no doubt."
+
+To Maitland's joy they found McNish at home. They were received with
+none-too-cordial a welcome by the son, with kindly, even eager greeting
+by the mother.
+
+"Come awa in, Minister; come awa, Mr. Maitland. You have come to talk
+about the 'trouble,' a doot. Malcolm does-na want to talk about it to
+me, a bad sign. He declines to converse even, wi' me, Mr. Matheson.
+Perhaps ye may succeed better wi' him."
+
+"Mr. Matheson can see for himself," said her son, using his most correct
+English, "the impropriety of my talking with an employer in this way."
+
+"Nonsense, McNish," said the minister briskly. "You know me quite well
+and we both know Maitland. It is just sheer nonsense to say that you
+cannot talk with us. Everyone in town is talking. Every man in your
+union is talking, trying to justify their present position, which, I am
+bound to say, takes some justifying."
+
+"Why?" asked McNish hotly.
+
+"Because the demands are some of them quite unsound. Some other than you
+had a hand in drawing up your Petition of Right, McNish, and some of the
+demands are impossible."
+
+"How do you--" began McNish indignantly, but the minister held up his
+hand and continued:
+
+"And some of them are both sound and reasonable."
+
+"What's wrang with the demands?" said McNish.
+
+"That's what I am about to show you," said the minister with grave
+confidence.
+
+"Aye, minister," said the mother with a chuckle of delight. "That's you!
+That's you! Haud at him! Haud at him! That's you!"
+
+They took seats about the blazing fire for the evening was still shrewd
+enough to make the fire welcome.
+
+"Noo, Mr. Matheson," said the old lady, leaning toward him with keen
+relish in her face, "read me the union demands. Malcolm wadna read nor
+talk nor anything but glower."
+
+The Reverend Murdo read the six clauses.
+
+"Um! They're no bad negotiating pints."
+
+"Negotiatin' pints!" exclaimed her son indignantly. "Noo, mither, ye
+maun play the game. A'm no gaun tae argue with ye to-night. Nor wi' any
+of ye," he added.
+
+"Nonsense, Malcolm. You can't object to talk over these points with us.
+You must talk them over before you're done with them. And you'll talk
+them over before the whole town, too."
+
+"What do you mean, 'before the whole town'?" said Malcolm.
+
+"This is a community question. This community is interested and greatly
+interested. It will demand a full exposition of the attitude of the
+unions."
+
+"The community!" snorted McNish in contempt.
+
+"Aye, the community," replied the minister, "and you are not to snort at
+it. That's the trouble with you labour folk. You think you are the whole
+thing. You forget the third and most important party in any industrial
+strife, the community. The community is interested first, in justice
+being done to its citizens--to all its citizens, mind you; second,
+in the preservation of the services necessary to its comfort and
+well-being; third, in the continuance of the means of livelihood to wage
+earners."
+
+"Ye missed one," said McNish grimly. "The conserving of the profits of
+labour for the benefit of the capitalist."
+
+"I might have put that in, too," said the minister, "but it is included
+in my first. But I should have added another which, to my mind, is of
+the very first importance, the preservation of the spirit of brotherly
+feeling and Christian decency as between man and man in this community."
+
+"Aye, ye might," replied Malcolm in bitter irony, "and ye might begin
+with the ministers and the churches."
+
+"Whisht, laddie," said his mother sharply, "Mind yer manners."
+
+"He doesn't mean me specially, Mrs. McNish, but I will not say but what
+he is right."
+
+"No," replied McNish, "I don't mean you exactly, Mr. Matheson."
+
+"Don't take it back, McNish," said the minister. "I need it. We all need
+it in the churches, and we will take it, too. But come now, let us look
+at these clauses. You are surely not standing for them all, or for them
+all alike?"
+
+"Why not, then?" said McNish, angrily.
+
+"I'll tell you," replied the minister, "and won't take long, either." He
+proceeded to read over carefully the various clauses in the demands
+of the allied unions, emphasizing and explaining the meaning of each
+clause. "First, as to wages. This is purely a matter for adjustment to
+the cost of living and general industrial conditions. It is a matter of
+arithmetic and common sense. There is no principle involved."
+
+"I don't agree with you," said McNish. "There is more than the cost
+of living to be considered. There is the question of the standard of
+living. Why should it be considered right that the standard of living
+for the working man should be lower than that for the professional man
+or the capitalist?"
+
+"There you are again, McNish," said the minister. "You are not up to
+your usual to-night. You know quite well that every working man in my
+parish lives better than I do, and spends more money on his living.
+The standard of living has no special significance with the working man
+to-day as distinguished from the professional man. We are not speaking
+of the wasteful and idle rich. So I repeat that here it is a matter of
+adjustment and that there is no principle involved. Now, as regard to
+hours. You ask an eight-hour day and a Saturday half-holiday. That, too,
+is a matter of adjustment."
+
+"What about production, Mr. Matheson?" said Maitland. "And overhead?
+Production costs are abnormally high to-day and so are carrying charges.
+I am not saying that a ten-hour day is not too long. Personally, I
+believe that a man cannot keep at his best for ten hours in certain
+industries--not in all."
+
+"Long hours do not mean big production, Maitland. Not long hours but
+intensive and co-ordinated work bring up production and lower production
+costs."
+
+"What about idle machines and overhead?" inquired Maitland.
+
+"A very important consideration," said the minister. "The only sound
+rule governing factory industry especially is this: the longest possible
+machine time, the shortest possible man time. But here again it is
+a question of organisation, adjustment and co-ordination of work and
+workers. We all want education here."
+
+"If I remember right," said McNish, and he could not keep the bitterness
+out of his voice, "I have heard you say something in the pulpit at times
+in regard to the value of men's immortal souls. What care can men take
+of their bodies and minds, let alone their souls, if you work them ten
+hours a day?"
+
+"There is a previous question, McNish," said the minister. "Why give
+more leisure time to men who spend their leisure hours now in pool rooms
+and that sort of nonsense?"
+
+"And whose fault is that," replied McNish sharply. "Who is responsible
+that they have not learned to use their leisure more wisely? And
+further, what about your young bloods and their leisure hours?"
+
+"Ay, A doot he has ye there, minister," said Mrs. McNish with a quiet
+chuckle.
+
+"He has," said the minister. "The point is well taken and I acknowledge
+it freely. My position is that the men need more leisure, but, more than
+that, they need instruction as to how to use their leisure time wisely.
+But let us get on to the third point. 'A Joint Committee of References
+demanded to which all complaints shall be referred.' Now, that's fine.
+That's the Whitley plan. It is quite sound and has proved thoroughly
+useful in practice."
+
+"I quite agree," said Maitland frankly. "But certain conditions must be
+observed."
+
+"Of course, of course," replied the minister. "Conditions must be
+observed everywhere. Now, the fourth point: 'The foreman must be a
+member of the union.' Thoroughly unsound. They can't ride two horses at
+once.
+
+"I am not so sure of that," said Maitland. "For my part, I should like
+to have retained my membership in the union. The more that both parties
+meet for conference, the better. And the more connecting links between
+them, the better. I should like to see a union where employers and
+employees should have equal rights of membership."
+
+McNish grunted contemptuously.
+
+"It would be an interesting experiment," said the minister. "An
+interesting experiment, McNish, and you are not to grunt like that. The
+human element, of course, is the crux here. If we had the right sort
+of foreman he might be trusted to be a member of the union, but a man
+cannot direct and be directed at the same time. But that union of yours,
+Maitland, with both parties represented in it, is a big idea. It is
+worth considering. What do you think about it, McNish?"
+
+"What do I think of it? It is sheer idealistic nonsense."
+
+"It is a noble idea, laddie, and no to be sneered at, but A doot it
+needs a better world for it than we hae at the present."
+
+"I am afraid that is true," said the minister. "But meantime a foreman
+is a man who gives orders and directs work, and, generally speaking, he
+must remain with a directorate in any business. There may be exceptions.
+You must acknowledge that, McNish."
+
+"I'll acknowledge nothing of the sort," replied McNish, and entered into
+a long argument which convinced no one.
+
+"Now we come to the next, number five: 'a voice in the management,' it
+means. Come now, McNish, this is rather much. Do you want Mr. Maitland's
+job here, or is there anyone in your shop who would be anything but an
+embarrassment trying running the Maitland Mills, and you know quite well
+that the men want nothing of the sort. It may be as Mrs. McNish said, 'a
+good negotiating point,' but it has no place in practical politics here
+in Blackwater. How would you like, for instance, to take orders from
+Simmons?"
+
+The old lady chuckled delightedly. "He has you there, laddie, he has you
+there!"
+
+But this McNish would not acknowledge, and proceeded to argue at great
+length on purely theoretical grounds for joint control of industries,
+till his mother quite lost patience with him.
+
+"Hoots, laddie, haud yer hoofs on mither earth. Would ye want yon
+radical bodies to take chairge o' ony business in which ye had a baubee?
+Ye're talkin' havers."
+
+"Now, let us look at the last," said Mr. Matheson. "It is practically a
+demand for the closed shop. Now, McNish, I ask you, man to man, what is
+the use of putting that in there? It is not even a negotiating point."
+
+At that McNish fired up. "It is no negotiating point," he declared. "I
+stand for that. It is vital to the very existence of unionised labour.
+Everyone knows that. Unionism cannot maintain itself in existence
+without the closed shop. It is the ideal toward which all unionised
+labour works."
+
+"Now, McNish, tell me honestly," said the minister, "do you expect or
+hope for an absolutely closed shop in the factories here in Blackwater,
+or in the Building Industries? Have you the faintest shadow of a hope?"
+
+"We may not get it," said McNish, "but that is no reason why we should
+not fight for it. Men have died fighting for the impossible because they
+knew it was right, and, by dying for it, they have brought it to pass."
+
+"Far be it from me, McNish, to deny that. But I am asking you now, again
+as man to man, do you know of any industry, even in the Old Land, where
+the closed shop absolutely prevails, and do you think that conditions in
+Blackwater give you the faintest hope of a closed shop here?"
+
+"Yes," shouted McNish, springing to his feet, "there is hope. There is
+hope even in Blackwater."
+
+"Tut, tut, laddie," said his mother. "Dinna deeve us. What has come ower
+ye that ye canna talk like a reasonable man? Noo, Mr. Matheson, ye've
+had enough of the labour matters. A'll mak ye a cup of tea."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. McNish," said the minister gravely, "but I cannot
+linger. I have still work to do to-night." He rose from his chair and
+found his coat. His manner was gravely sad and gave evidence of his
+disappointment with the evening's conversation.
+
+"Dinna fash yerself, minister," said the old lady, helping him on with
+his coat. "The 'trouble' will blow ower, a doot. It'll a' come oot
+richt."
+
+"Mrs. McNish, what I have seen and heard in this house to-night," said
+the minister solemnly, "gives me little hope that it will all come
+right, but rather gives me grave concern." Then, looking straight into
+the eyes of her son, he added: "I came here expecting to find help and
+guidance in discovering a reasonable way out of a very grave and serious
+difficulty. I confess I have been disappointed."
+
+"Mr. Matheson," said McNish, "I am always glad to discuss any matter
+with you in a reasonable and kindly way."
+
+"I am afraid my presence has not helped very much, Mrs. McNish," said
+Maitland. "I am sorry I came tonight. I did come earnestly desiring and
+hoping that we might find a way out. It seems I have made a mistake."
+
+"You came at my request, Maitland," said the minister. "If a mistake has
+been made, it is mine. Good-night, Mrs. McNish. Good-night, Malcolm.
+I don't pretend to know or understand what is in your heart, but I am
+going to say to you as your minister that where there is evil passion
+there can be no clear thinking. And further, let me say that upon you
+will devolve a heavy responsibility for the guidance you give these
+men. Good-night again. Remember that One whom we both acknowledge as
+the source of all true light said: 'If the light that is in thee be
+darkness, how great is that darkness.'" He shook hands first with
+the mother, then with the son, who turned away from him with a curt
+"Good-night" and nodded to Maitland.
+
+For a moment or two neither of the men spoke. They were both grievously
+disappointed in the interview.
+
+"I never saw him like that," said the Reverend Murdo at length. "What
+can be the matter with him? With him passion is darkening counsel."
+
+"Well," said Maitland, "I have found out one thing that I wanted."
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"These men clearly do not want what they are asking for. They want
+chiefly war--at least, McNish does."
+
+"I am deeply disappointed in McNish," replied the minister, "and I
+confess I am anxious. McNish, above all others, is the brains of this
+movement, and in that mood there is little hope of reason from him. I
+fear it will be a sore fight, with a doubtful issue."
+
+"Oh, I don't despair," said Maitland cheerily. "I have an idea he has a
+quarrel with me. He wants to get me. But we can beat him."
+
+The Reverend Murdo waited for a further explanation, but was too much
+of a gentleman to press the point and kept silent till they reached his
+door.
+
+"You will not desert us, Mr. Matheson," said Maitland earnestly.
+
+"Desert you? It is my job. These people are my people. We cannot desert
+them."
+
+"Right you are," said Maitland. "Cheerio. We'll carry on. He shook hands
+warmly with the minister and went off, whistling cheerily.
+
+"That is a man to follow," said the minister to himself. "He goes
+whistling into a fight."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE STRIKE
+
+
+The negotiations between the men and their employers, in which the chief
+exponents of the principles of justice and fair play were Mr. McGinnis
+on the one hand and Brother Simmons on the other, broke down at the
+second meeting, which ended in a vigorous personal encounter between
+these gentlemen, without, however, serious injury to either.
+
+The following day a general strike was declared. All work ceased in the
+factories affected and building operations which had begun in a moderate
+way were arrested. Grant Maitland was heartily disgusted with the course
+of events and more especially with the humiliating and disgraceful
+manner in which the negotiations had been conducted.
+
+"You were quite right, Jack," he said to his son the morning after which
+the strike had been declared. "That man McGinnis is quite impossible."
+
+"It really made little difference, Dad. The negotiations were hopeless
+from the beginning. There was no chance of peace."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because McNish wants war." He proceeded to give an account of the
+evening spent at the McNish home. "When McNish wants peace, we can
+easily end the strike," concluded Jack.
+
+"There is something in what you say, doubtless," replied his father,
+"but meantime there is a lot to be done."
+
+"What do you mean exactly, Father?"
+
+"We have a lot of stock made up on hand. The market is dead at present
+prices. There is no hope of sales. The market will fall lower still. I
+propose that we take our loss and unload at the best rate we can get."
+
+"That is your job, Dad. I know little about that, but I believe you are
+right. I have been doing a lot of reading in trade journals and that
+sort of thing, and I believe that a big slump is surely coming. But
+there is a lot to do in my department at the Mills, also. I am not
+satisfied with the inside arrangement of our planing mill. There is
+a lot of time wasted and there is an almost complete lack of
+co-ordination. Here is a plan I want to show you. The idea is to improve
+the routing of our work."
+
+Maitland glanced at the plan perfunctorily, more to please his son than
+anything else. But, after a second glance, he became deeply interested
+and began to ask questions. After half an hour's study he said:
+
+"Jack, this is really a vast improvement. Strange, I never thought of a
+great many of these things."
+
+"I have been reading up a bit, and when I was on my trip two weeks ago I
+looked in upon two or three of the plants of our competitors. I believe
+this will be more up-to-date and will save time and labour."
+
+"I am sure it will, boy. And we will put this in hand at once. But what
+about men?"
+
+"Oh, we can pick up labourers, and that is all we want at the present
+time."
+
+"All right, go at it. I will give you a hand myself."
+
+"Then there is something else, Dad. We ought to have a good athletic
+field for our men."
+
+His father gasped at him.
+
+"An athletic field for those ungrateful rascals?"
+
+"Father, they are not rascals," said his son. "They are just the same
+to-day as they ever were. A decent lot of chaps who don't think the same
+as we do on a number of points. But they are coming back again some time
+and we may as well be ready for them. Look at this."
+
+And before Grant Maitland could recover his speech he found himself
+looking at a beautifully-drawn plan of athletic grounds set out with
+walks, shade trees and shrubbery, and with a plain but commodious
+club-house appearing in the background.
+
+"And where do you get this land, and what does it cost you?"
+
+"The land," replied Jack, "is your land about the old mill. It will cost
+us nothing, I hope. The old mill site contains two and one-half acres.
+It can be put in shape with little work. The mill itself is an eyesore;
+ought to have been removed long ago. Dad, you ought to have seen the
+plant at Violetta, that is in Ohio, you know. It is a joy to behold. But
+never mind about that. The lumber in the old mill can be used up in
+the club-house. The timbers are wonderful; nothing like them to-day
+anywhere. The outside finishing will be done with slabs from our own
+yard. They will make a very pretty job."
+
+"And where do you get the men for this work?" inquired his father.
+
+"Why, our men. It is for themselves and they are our men."
+
+"Voluntary work, I suppose?" inquired Maitland.
+
+"Voluntary work?" said Jack. "We couldn't have men work for us for
+nothing."
+
+"And you mean to pay them for the construction of their own athletic
+grounds and club-house?"
+
+"But why not?" inquired Jack in amazement.
+
+His father threw back his head and began to laugh.
+
+"This is really the most extraordinary thing I have ever heard of in all
+my life," he said, after he had done with his laugh. "Your men strike;
+you prepare for them a beautiful club-house and athletic grounds as a
+reward for their loyalty. You pay them wages so that they may be able
+to sustain the strike indefinitely." Again he threw back his head and
+continued laughing as Jack had never in his life heard him laugh.
+
+"Why not, Dad?" said Jack, gazing at his father in half-shamed
+perplexity. "The idea of athletic grounds and club-house is according
+to the best modern thought. These are our own men. You are not like
+McGinnis. You are not enraged at them. You don't hate them. They are
+going to work for us again in some days or weeks. They are idle and
+therefore available for work. You can get better work from them than
+from other men. And you wouldn't take their work from them for nothing."
+
+Again his father began to laugh. "Your argument, Jack," he said when he
+was able to control his speech, "is absolutely unanswerable. There is
+no answer possible on any count; but did ever man hear of such a scheme?
+Did you?"
+
+"I confess not. But, Dad, you are a good sport. We are out to win this
+fight, but we don't want to injure anybody. We are going to beat them,
+but we don't want to abuse them unnecessarily. Besides, I think it is
+good business. And then, you see, I really like these chaps."
+
+"Simmons, for instance?" said his father with an ironical smile.
+
+"Well, Simmons, just as much as you can like an ass."
+
+"And McNish?" inquired Maitland.
+
+"McNish," echoed Jack, a cloud falling upon his face. "I confess I don't
+understand McNish. At least," he added, "I am sorry for McNish. But what
+do you say to my scheme, Dad?"
+
+"Well, boy," said his father, beginning to laugh again, "give me a night
+to think it over."
+
+Then Jack departed, not quite sure of himself or of the plan which
+appeared to give his father such intense amusement. "At any rate," he
+said to himself as he walked out of the office, "if it is a joke it is
+a good one. And it has given the governor a better laugh than he has had
+for five years."
+
+The Mayor of Blackwater was peculiarly sensitive to public opinion and
+acutely susceptible of public approval. In addition, he was possessed
+of a somewhat exalted idea of his powers as the administrator in public
+affairs, and more particularly as a mediator in times of strife. He had
+been singularly happy in his mediation between the conflicting elements
+in his Council, and more than once he had been successful in the
+composing of disputes in arbitration cases submitted to his judgment.
+Moreover, he had an eye to a second term in the mayor's chair, which
+gubernatorial and majestical office gave full scope to the ruling
+ambition of his life, which was, in his own words, "to guard the
+interests and promote the well-being of my people."
+
+The industrial strike appeared to furnish him with an opportunity to
+gratify this ambition. He resolved to put an end to this unnecessary and
+wasteful struggle, and to that end he summoned to a public meeting his
+fellow citizens of all classes, at which he invited each party in the
+industrial strife to make a statement of their case, in the hope that a
+fair and reasonable settlement might be effected.
+
+The employers were more than dubious of the issue, having but a small
+idea of the mayor's power of control and less of his common-sense.
+Brother Simmons, however, foreseeing a magnificent field for the display
+of his forensic ability, a thing greatly desired by labour leaders
+of his kidney, joyfully welcomed the proposal. McNish gave hesitating
+assent, but, relying upon his experience in the management of public
+assemblies and confident of his ability to shape events to his own
+advantage, he finally agreed to accept the invitation.
+
+The public meeting packed the City Hall, with representatives of both
+parties in the controversy in about equal numbers and with a great body
+of citizens more or less keenly interested in the issue of the meeting
+and expectant of a certain amount of "fun." The Mayor's opening speech
+was thoroughly characteristic. He was impressed with the responsibility
+that was his for the well-being of his people. Like all right-thinking
+citizens of this fair town of Blackwater, he deeply regretted this
+industrial strife. It interfered with business. It meant loss of
+money to the strikers. It was an occasion of much inconvenience to the
+citizens and it engendered bitterness of feeling that might take months,
+even years, to remove. He stood there as the friend of the working man.
+He was a working man himself and was proud of it. He believed that on
+the whole they were good fellows. He was a friend also of the employers
+of labour. What could we do without them? How could our great industries
+prosper without their money and their brains? The one thing necessary
+for success was co-operation. That was the great word in modern
+democracy. In glowing periods he illustrated this point from their
+experiences in the war. All they wanted to do was to sit down together,
+and, man to man, talk their difficulties over. He would be glad to
+assist them, and he had no doubt as to the result. He warned the working
+man that hard times were coming. The spectre of unemployment was already
+parading their streets. Unemployment meant disorder, rioting. This,
+he assured them, would not be permitted. At all costs order would be
+maintained. He had no wish to threaten, but he promised them that the
+peace would be preserved at all costs. He suggested that the strikers
+should get back at once to work and the negotiations should proceed in
+the meantime.
+
+At this point Brother Simmons rose.
+
+"The mayor (h)urges the workers to get back to work," he said. "Does 'e
+mean at (h)increased pay, or not? 'E says as 'ow this strike interferes
+with business. 'E doesn't tell us what business. But I can tell 'im
+it (h)interferes with the business of robbery of the workin' man. 'E
+deplores the loss of money to the strikers. Let me tell 'im that the
+workin' men are prepared to suffer that loss. True, they 'ave no big
+bank accounts to carry 'em on, but there are things that they love more
+than money--liberty and justice and the rights of the people. What are
+we strikin' for? Nothin' but what is our own. The workin' man makes
+(h)everything that is made. What percentage of the returns does 'e get
+in wages? They won't tell us that. Last year these factories were busy
+in the makin' o' munitions. Mr. McGinnis 'ere was makin' shells. I'd
+like to (h)ask, Mr. Mayor, what profit Mr. McGinnis made out of these
+shells."
+
+Mr. McGinnis sprang to his feet, "I want to tell you," he said in
+a voice choking with rage, "that it is none of your high-explosive
+business."
+
+"'E says as it is none o' my business," cried Brother Simmons, joyously
+taking Mr. McGinnis on. "Let me (h)ask 'im who paid for these shells? I
+did, you did, all of us did. Not my business? Then 'ose business is
+it? (H)If 'e was paid a fair price for 'is shells, (h)all right, I say
+nothin' against it. If 'e was paid more than a fair price, then 'e is
+a robber, worse, 'e is a blood robber, because the price was paid in
+blood."
+
+At once a dozen men were on their feet. Cries of "Order! Order!" and
+"Put him out!" arose on every hand. The mayor rose from his chair
+and, in an impressive voice, said: "We must have order. Sit down,
+Mr. Simmons." Simmons sat down promptly. Union men are thoroughly
+disciplined in points of order. "We must have order," continued the
+mayor. "I will not permit any citizen to be insulted. We all did our
+bit in this town of Blackwater. Some of us went to fight, and some
+that could not go to fight 'kept the home fires burning'." A shout of
+derisive laughter from the working men greeted this phrase. The mayor
+was deeply hurt. "I want to say that those who could not go to the war
+did their bit at home. Let the meeting proceed, but let us observe the
+courtesies that are proper in debate."
+
+Again Simmons took the floor. "As I was sayin', Mr. Mayor--"
+
+Cries of "Order! Order! Sit down!"
+
+"--Mr. Mayor, I believe I 'ave the floor?"
+
+"Yes, you have. Go on. But you must not insult."
+
+"(H)Insult? Did I (h)insult anybody? I don't know what Mr. McGinnis made
+from 'is shells. I only said that if--you (h)understand--if 'e made more
+than e ought to, 'e is a robber. And since the price of our freedom was
+paid in blood, if 'e made more than was fair, 'e's a blood robber."
+
+Again the cries arose. "Throw him out!" Once more the mayor rose. "You
+must not make insinuations, sir," he cried angrily. "You must not make
+insinuations against respectable citizens."
+
+"(H)Insinooations," cried Simmons. "No, sir, I never make no
+(h)insinooations. If I knew that (h)any man 'ere 'ad made (h)unfair
+profits I wouldn't make no (h)insinooations. I would charge 'im right
+'ere with blood robbery. And let me say," shouted Simmons, taking a step
+into the aisle, "that the time may come when the working men of this
+country will make these charges, and will (h)ask the people who kept the
+''ome fires burning'--"
+
+Yells of derisive laughter.
+
+"--what profits came to them from these same 'ome fires. The people
+will (h)ask for an (h)explanation of these bank accounts, of these new
+factories, of these big stores, of these (h)autermobiles. The people
+that went to the war and were (h)unfortoonate enough to return came back
+to poverty, while many of these 'ere 'ome fire burners came (h)out with
+fortunes." At this point brother Simmons cast a fierce and baleful eye
+upon a group of the employers who sat silent and wrathful before him.
+"And now, what I say," continued Brother Simmons--
+
+At this point a quiet voice was heard.
+
+"Mr. Mayor, I rise to a point of order."
+
+Immediately Simmons took his seat.
+
+"Mr. Farrington," said the mayor, recognising one of the largest
+building contractors in the town.
+
+"Mr. Mayor, I should like to ask what are we discussing this afternoon?
+Are we discussing the war records of the citizens of Blackwater? If so,
+that is not what I came for. It may be interesting to find out what each
+man did in the war. I find that those who did most say least. I don't
+know what Mr. Simmons did in the war. I suppose he was there."
+
+With one spring Simmons was on his feet and in the aisle. He ripped
+off coat and vest, pulled his shirt over his head and revealed a back
+covered with the network of ghastly scars. "The gentleman (h)asks," he
+panted, "what I done in the war. I don't know. I cannot say what I
+done in the war, but that is what the war done to me." The effect was
+positively overwhelming.
+
+A deadly silence gripped the audience for a single moment. Then upon
+every hand rose fierce yells, oaths and strange cries. Above the uproar
+came Farrington's booming voice. Leaving his seat, which was near the
+back of the hall, he came forward, crying out:
+
+"Mr. Mayor! Mr. Mayor! I demand attention!" As he reached Simmons's
+side, he paused and, facing about, he looked upon the array of faces
+pale and tense with passion. "I want to apologise to this gentleman,"
+he said in a voice breaking with emotion. "I should not have said what
+I did. The man who bears these scars is a man I am proud to know." He
+turned swiftly toward Simmons with outstretched hand. "I am proud to
+know you, sir. I could not go to the war. I was past age. I sent my two
+boys. They are over there still." As the two men shook hands, for
+once in his life Simmons was speechless. His face was suffused with
+uncontrollable feeling. On every side were seen men, strong men, with
+tears streaming down their faces. A nobler spirit seemed to fall upon
+them all. In the silence that followed, Mr. Maitland rose.
+
+"Mr. Mayor," he said quietly, "we have all suffered together in this
+war. I, for one, want to do the fair thing by our men. Let us meet them
+and talk things over before any fair-minded committee. Surely we who
+have suffered together in war can work together in peace." It was a
+noble appeal, and met with a noble response. On all sides and from all
+parties a storm of cheers broke forth.
+
+Then the Reverend Murdo Matheson rose to his feet. "Mr. Mayor," he said,
+"I confess I was not hopeful of the result of this meeting. But I am
+sure we all recognise the presence and influence of a mightier Spirit
+than ours. From the outset I have been convinced that the problems in
+the industrial situation here are not beyond solution, and should yield
+to fair and reasonable consideration. I venture to move that a committee
+of five be appointed, two to be chosen by each of the parties in this
+dispute, who would in turn choose a chairman; that this committee meet
+with representatives of both parties; and that their decision in all
+cases be final."
+
+Mr. Farrington rose and heartily seconded the motion.
+
+At this point Jack, who was sitting near the platform and whose eyes
+were wandering over the audience, was startled by the look on the face
+of McNish. It was a look in which mingled fear, anxiety, wrath. He
+seemed to be on the point of starting to his feet when McGinnis broke
+in:
+
+"Do I understand that the decision of this committee is to be final on
+every point?"
+
+"Certainly," said the Reverend Murdo. "There is no other way by which we
+can arrive at a decision."
+
+"Do you mean," cried McGinnis, "that if this committee says I must hire
+only union men in my foundry that I must do so?"
+
+"I would reply," said the Reverend Murdo, "that we must trust this
+committee to act in a fair and reasonable way."
+
+But Mr. McGinnis was not satisfied with this answer.
+
+"I want to know," he cried in growing anger, "I want to know exactly
+where we are and I want a definite answer. Will this committee have the
+right to force me to employ only union men?"
+
+"Mr. Mayor," replied the Reverend Murdo, "Mr. McGinnis is right in
+asking for definiteness. My answer is that we must trust this committee
+to do what is wise and reasonable, and we must accept their decision as
+final in every case."
+
+Thereupon McGinnis rose and expressed an earnest desire for a tragic and
+unhappy and age-long fate if he would consent to any such proposition.
+With terrible swiftness the spirit of the meeting was changed. The
+moment of lofty emotion and noble impulse passed. The opportunity for
+reason and fair play to determine the issue was lost, and the old evil
+spirit of suspicion and hate fell upon the audience like a pall.
+
+At this point McNish, from whose face all anxiety had disappeared, rose
+and said:
+
+"For my part, and speaking for the working men of this town, I am ready
+to accept the proposal that has been made. We have no fear for the
+justice of our demands like some men here present. We know we have the
+right on our side and we are willing to accept the judgment of such a
+committee as has been proposed." The words were fair enough, but
+the tone of sneering contempt was so irritating that immediately the
+position assumed by McGinnis received support from his fellow employers
+on every hand. Once more uproar ensued. The mayor, in a state of angry
+excitement, sought in vain to restore order.
+
+After some minutes of heated altercation with Mr. McGinnis, whom he
+threatened with expulsion from the meeting, the mayor finally left
+the chair and the meeting broke up in disorder which threatened to
+degenerate into a series of personal encounters.
+
+Again McNish took command. Leaping upon a chair, with a loud voice which
+caught at once the ears of his following, he announced that a meeting
+was to be held immediately in the union rooms, and he added: "When these
+men here want us again, they know where to find us." He was answered
+with a roar of approval, and with an ugly smile on his face he led his
+people in triumph from the hall, leaving behind the mayor, still engaged
+in a heated argument with McGinnis and certain employers who sympathised
+with the Irishman's opinions. Thus the strike passed into another and
+more dangerous phase.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+GATHERING CLOUDS
+
+
+On the Rectory lawn a hard-fought game had just finished, bringing to
+a conclusion a lengthened series of contests which had extended over a
+whole week, in which series Patricia, with her devoted cavalier, Victor
+Forsythe, had been forced to accept defeat at the hands of her sister
+and her partner, Hugh Maynard.
+
+"Partner, you were wonderful in that last set!" said Patricia, as they
+moved off together to offer their congratulations to their conquerors.
+
+"Patsy," said her partner, in a low voice, "as ever, you are superb in
+defeat as in victory. Superb, unapproachable, wonderful."
+
+"Anything else, Vic?" inquired Patsy, grinning at the youth.
+
+"Oh, a whole lot more, Pat, if you only give me a chance to tell you."
+
+"No time just now," cried Patricia as she reached the others. "Well, you
+two deserved to win. You played ripping tennis," she continued, offering
+Hugh her hand.
+
+"So did you, Pat. You were at the very top of your form."
+
+"Well, some other day," said Vic. "I think we are improving a bit,
+partner. A little more close harmony will do the trick."
+
+"Come away, children," said Mrs. Templeton, calling to them from the
+shade at the side of the courts. "You must be very tired and done out.
+Why, how hot you look, Patricia."
+
+"Stunning, I should say!" murmured Vic, looking at her with adoring
+eyes.
+
+And a truly wonderful picture the girl made, in her dainty muslin
+frock, her bold red hair tossed in a splendid aureole about her face.
+Care-free, heart-free, as she flashed from her hearty blue eyes her
+saucy and bewitching glances at her partner's face, her mother sighed,
+thinking that her baby girl was swiftly slipping away from her and
+forever into that wider world of womanhood where others would claim her.
+
+In lovely contrast stood her sister, dressed in flannel skirt and
+sweater of old gold silk, fair, tall, beautiful, a delicate grace in
+every line of her body and a proud, yet gentle strength in every
+feature of her face. There dwelt in her deep blue eyes a look of hidden,
+mysterious power which had wrought in her mother a certain fear of her
+eldest daughter. The mother never quite knew what to expect from Adrien.
+Yet, for all, she carried an assured confidence that whatever she might
+do, her daughter never would shame the high traditions of her race.
+
+The long shadows from the tall elms lay across the velvet sward of the
+Rectory lawn. The heat of the early June day had given place to the cool
+air of the evening. The exquisitely delicate colouring from the setting
+sun flooded the sky overhead and deepened into blues and purples behind
+the elms and the church spire. A deep peace had fallen upon the world
+except that from the topmost bough of the tallest elm tree a robin sang,
+pouring his very heart out in a song of joyous optimism.
+
+The little group, disposed upon the lawn according to their various
+desires, stood and sat looking up at the brave little songster.
+
+"How happy he is," said Mrs. Templeton, a wistful cadence of sadness in
+her voice.
+
+"I wonder if he is, Mamma. Perhaps he is only pretending," said Adrien.
+
+"Cheerio, old chap!" cried Vic, waving his hand at the gallant little
+songster. "You are a regular grouch killer."
+
+"He has no troubles," said Mrs. Templeton, with a sigh.
+
+"I wonder, Mamma. Or is he just bluffing us all?"
+
+"He has no strike, at any rate, to worry him," said Patricia, "and,
+by the way, what is the news to-day? Does anybody know? Is there any
+change?"
+
+"Oh," cried Vic, "there has been a most exciting morning at the E. D.
+C.--the Employers' Defence Committee," he explained, in answer to Mrs.
+Templeton's mystified look.
+
+"Do go on!" cried Patricia impatiently. "Was there a fight? They are
+always having one."
+
+"Of course there was the usual morning scrap, but with a variation
+to-day of a deputation from the brethren of the Ministerial Association.
+But, of course, Mrs. Templeton, the Doctor must have told you already."
+
+"I hardly ever see him these days. He is dreadfully occupied. There is
+so much trouble, sickness and that sort of thing. Oh, it is all terribly
+sad. The Doctor is almost worn out."
+
+"He made a wonderful speech to the magnates, my governor says."
+
+"Oh, go on, Vic!" cried Patricia. "Why do you stop? You are so
+deliberate."
+
+"I was thinking of that speech," replied Victor more quietly than was
+his wont. "It came at a most dramatic moment. The governor was quite
+worked up over it and gave me a full account. They had just got all
+their reports in--'all safe along the Potomac'--no break in the front
+line--Building Industries slightly shaky due to working men's groups
+taking on small contracts, which excited great wrath and which McGinnis
+declared must be stopped."
+
+"How can they stop them? This is a free country," said Adrien.
+
+"Aha!" cried Victor. "Little you know of the resources of the E. D. C.
+It is proposed that the supply dealers should refuse supplies to all
+builders until the strike is settled. No more lumber, lime, cement,
+etc., etc."
+
+"Boycott, eh? I call that pretty rotten," said Adrien.
+
+"The majority were pretty much for it, however, except Maitland and my
+governor, they protesting that this boycott was hardly playing the game.
+Your friend Captain Jack came in for his licks," continued Vic, turning
+to Patricia. "It appears he has been employing strikers in some work
+or other, which some of the brethren considered to be not according to
+Hoyle."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Patricia indignantly. "Jack took me yesterday to see
+the work. He showed me all the plans and we went over the grounds. It is
+a most splendid thing, Mamma! He is laying out athletic grounds for his
+men, with a club house and all that sort of thing. They are going to be
+perfectly splendid! Do you mean to say they were blaming him for this?
+Who was?" And Patricia stood ready for battle.
+
+"Kamerad!" cried Vic, holding up his hands. "Not me! However, Jack was
+exonerated, for it appears he sent them a letter two weeks ago,
+telling them what he proposed to do, to which letter they had raised no
+objection."
+
+"Well, what then?" inquired Patricia.
+
+"Oh, the usual thing. They all resolved to stand pat--no surrender--or,
+rather, let the whole line advance--you know the stuff--when into
+this warlike atmosphere walked the deputation from the Ministerial
+Association. It gave the E. D. C. a slight shock, so my Dad says. The
+Doctor fired the first gun. My governor says that it was like a breath
+from another world. His face was enough. Everybody felt mean for just
+being what they were. I know exactly what that is, for I know the way he
+makes me feel when I look at him in church. You know what I mean, Pat."
+
+"I know," said Patricia softly, letting her hand fall upon her mother's
+shoulder.
+
+"Well," continued Vic, "the Doctor just talked to them as if they were
+his children. They hadn't been very good and he was sorry for them.
+He would like to help them to be better. The other side, too, had been
+doing wrong, and they were having a bad time. They were suffering, and
+as he went on to tell them in that wonderful voice of his about the
+women and children, every man in the room, so the governor said, was
+wondering how much he had in his pocket. And then he told them of how
+wicked it was for men whose sons had died together in France to be
+fighting each other here in Canada. Well, you know my governor. As he
+told me this tale, we just both of us bowed our heads and wept. It's the
+truth, so help me, just as you are doing now, Pat."
+
+"I am not," cried Patricia indignantly. "And I don't care if I am. He is
+a dear and those men are just--"
+
+"Hush, dear," said Mrs. Templeton gently. "And did they agree to
+anything?"
+
+"Alas, not they, for at that moment some old Johnny began asking
+questions and then that old fire-eater, McGinnis, horned in again. No
+Arbitration Committee for him--no one could come into his foundry and
+tell him how to run his business--same old stuff, you know. Well, then,
+the Methodist Johnny took a hand. What's his name? Haynes, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, Haynes," said Hugh Maynard.
+
+"Well, Brother Haynes took up the tale. He is an eloquent chap, all
+right. He took the line 'As you are strong, be pitiful,' but the
+psychological moment had gone and the line still held strong. Campbell
+of the woollen mills invited him up to view his $25,000.00 stock 'all
+dressed up and nowhere to go.' 'Tell me how I can pay increased wages
+with this stock on my hands.' And echo answered 'How?' Haynes could not.
+Then my old chief took a hand--the Reverend Murdo Matheson. He is a good
+old scout, a Padre, you know--regular fire-eater--a rasping voice and
+grey matter oozing from his pores. My governor says he abandoned the
+frontal attack and took them on the flank. Opened up with a dose of
+economics that made them sit up. And when he got through on this line,
+he made every man feel that it was entirely due to the courtesy and
+forbearance of the union that he was allowed to carry on business at
+all. He spiked Brother McGinnis's guns by informing him that if he
+was harbouring the idea that he owned a foundry all on his own, he was
+labouring under a hallucination. All he owned was a heap of brick and
+mortar and some iron and steel junk arranged in some peculiar way. In
+fact, there was no foundry there till the workmen came in and started
+the wheels going round. Old McGinnis sat gasping like a chicken with
+the pip. Then the Padre turned on the 'Liberty of the subject' stop as
+follows: 'Mr. McGinnis insists upon liberty to run his foundry as he
+likes; insists upon perfect freedom of action. There is no such thing
+as perfect freedom of action in modern civilisation. For instance, Mr.
+McGinnis rushing to catch a train, hurls his Hudson Six gaily down Main
+Street thirty miles an hour, on the left-hand side of the street. A
+speed cop sidles up, whispers a sweet something in his ear, hails him
+ignominiously into court and invites him to contribute to the support
+of the democracy fifty little iron men as an evidence of his devotion
+to the sacred principle of personal liberty. In short, there is no such
+thing as personal liberty in this burg, unless it is too late for the
+cop to see.' The governor says McGinnis's face afforded a perfect study
+in emotions. I should have liked to have seen it. The Padre never took
+his foot off the accelerator. He took them all for an excursion
+along the 'Responsibility' line: personal responsibility, mutual
+responsibility, community responsibility and every responsibility known
+to the modern mind. And then when he had them eating out of his hand,
+he offered them two alternatives: an Arbitration Committee as formerly
+proposed, or a Conciliation Board under the Lemieux Act. My governor
+says it was a great speech. He had 'em all jumping through the hoops."
+
+"What DO you mean, Vic?" lamented Mrs. Templeton. "I have only the very
+vaguest idea of what you have been saying all this time."
+
+"So sorry, Mrs. Templeton. What I mean is the Padre delivered a most
+effective speech."
+
+"And did they settle anything?" inquired Patricia.
+
+"I regret to say, Patricia, that your friend Rupert--"
+
+"My friend, indeed!" cried Patricia.
+
+"Who comforts you with bonbons," continued Vic, ignoring her words,
+"and stays you with joy rides, interposed at this second psychological
+crisis. He very cleverly moves a vote of thanks, bows out the
+deputation, thanking them for their touching addresses, and promising
+consideration. Thereupon, as the door closed, he proceeded to sound
+the alarm once more, collected the scattered forces, flung the gage
+of battle in the teeth of the enemy, dared them to do their worst, and
+there you are."
+
+"And nothing done?" cried Adrien. "What a shame."
+
+"What I cannot understand is," said Hugh, "why the unions do not invoke
+the Lemieux Act?"
+
+"Aha!" said Vic. "Why? The same question rose to my lips."
+
+"The Lemieux Act?" inquired Mrs. Templeton.
+
+"Yes. You know, Mrs. Templeton, either party in dispute can ask for a
+Board of Conciliation, not Arbitration, you understand. This Board has
+power to investigate--bring out all the facts--and failing to effect
+conciliation, makes public its decision in the case, leaving both
+parties at the bar of public opinion."
+
+"But I cannot understand why the unions do not ask for this Conciliation
+Board."
+
+"I fear, Hugh," said Victor in an awed and solemn voice, "that there is
+an Ethiopian in the coal bin."
+
+"What DOES he mean, Patricia?"
+
+"He means that there is something very dark and mysterious, Mamma."
+
+"So there is," said Hugh. "The unions will take an Arbitration
+Committee, which the employers decline to give, but they will not ask
+for a Conciliation Board."
+
+"My governor says it's a bluff," said Vic. "The unions know quite
+well that McGinnis et hoc genus omne will have nothing to do with an
+Arbitration Committee. Hence they are all for an Arbitration Committee.
+On the other hand, neither the unions nor McGinnis are greatly in love
+with the prying methods of the Conciliation Board, and hence reject the
+aid of the Lemieux Act."
+
+"But why should they all be dominated by a man like McGinnis?" demanded
+Adrien. "Why doesn't some employer demand a Conciliation Board? He can
+get it, you know."
+
+"They naturally stand together," said Hugh.
+
+"But they won't long. Maitland declares that he will take either board,
+and that if the committee cannot agree which to choose, he will withdraw
+and make terms on his own. He furthermore gave them warning that if any
+strike-breakers were employed, of which he had heard rumours, he would
+have nothing to do with the bunch."
+
+"Strike-breakers?" said Adrien. "That would certainly mean serious
+trouble."
+
+"Indeed, you are jolly well right," said Vic. "We will all be in it
+then. Civic guard! Special police! 'Shun! Fix bayonets! Prepare for
+cavalry! Eh?"
+
+"Oh, how terrible it all is," said Mrs. Templeton.
+
+"Nonsense, Vic," said Hugh. "Don't listen to him, Mrs. Templeton. We
+will have nothing of that sort."
+
+"Well, it is all very sad," said Mrs. Templeton. "But here is Rupert. He
+will give us the latest."
+
+But Rupert appeared unwilling to talk about the meeting of the morning.
+He was quite certain, however, that the strike was about to break. He
+had inside information that the resources of the unions were almost
+exhausted. The employers were tightening up all along the line, credits
+were being refused at the stores, the unions were torn with dissension,
+the end was at hand.
+
+"It would be a great mercy if it would end soon," said Mrs. Templeton.
+"It is a sad pity that these poor people are so misguided."
+
+"It is a cruel shame, Mrs. Templeton," said Rupert indignantly. "I have
+it from scores of them that they didn't want to strike at all. They were
+getting good wages--the wage scale has gone up steadily during the war
+to the present extravagant height."
+
+"The cost of living has gone up much more rapidly, I believe," said
+Adrien. "The men are working ten hours a day, the conditions under which
+they labour are in some cases deplorable; that McGinnis foundry is a
+ghastly place, terribly unhealthy; the girls in many of the factories
+are paid wages so shamefully low that they can hardly maintain
+themselves in decency, and they are continually being told that they are
+about to be dismissed. The wrong's not all on one side, by any means. To
+my mind, men like McGinnis who are unwilling to negotiate are a menace
+to the country."
+
+"You are quite right, Adrien," replied Hugh. "I consider him a most
+dangerous man. That sort of pig-headed, bull-headed employer of labour
+does more to promote strife than a dozen 'walking delegates.' I am not
+terribly strong for the unions, but the point of vantage is always with
+the employers. And they have a lot to learn. Oh, you may look at me,
+Adrien! I am no bolshevist, but I see a lot of these men in our office."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE STORM
+
+
+Slowly the evening was deepening into night, but still the glow from the
+setting sun lingered in the western sky. The brave little songster had
+gone from the top of the elm tree, but from the shrubbery behind the
+church a whippoorwill was beginning to tune his pipe.
+
+"Oh, listen to the darling!" cried Patricia. "I haven't heard one for a
+long, long time."
+
+"There used to be a great many in the shrubbery here, and in the old
+days the woods nearby were full of them in the evenings," said Mrs.
+Templeton.
+
+As they sat listening for the whippoorwill's voice, they became aware of
+other sounds floating up to their ears from the town. The hum of passing
+motors, the high, shrill laughter of children playing in the streets,
+the clang of the locomotive bell from the railroad station, all softened
+by distance. But as they listened there came another sound like nothing
+they had ever heard in that place before. A strange, confused rumbling,
+with cries jutting out through the dull, rolling noise. A little later
+came the faint clash of rhythmic, tumultuous cheering. Patricia's quick
+ears were the first to catch the sound.
+
+"Hush!" she cried. "What is that noise?"
+
+Again came the rumbling sound, punctuated with quick volleys of
+cheering. The men glanced at each other. They knew well that sound, a
+sound they had often heard during the stirring days of the war, in the
+streets of the great cities across the seas, and in other places, too,
+where men were wont to crowd. As they listened in tense silence, there
+came the throbbing of a drum.
+
+"My dear," said Mrs. Templeton faintly to her eldest daughter, "I think
+I shall go in."
+
+At once Hugh offered her his arm, while Adrien took the other, and
+together they led her slowly into the house.
+
+Meanwhile the others tumbled into Rupert's car and motored down to the
+gate, and there waited the approach of what seemed to be a procession of
+some sort or other.
+
+At the gate Dr. Templeton, returning from his pastor visitations, found
+them standing.
+
+"Come here, Papa!" cried Patricia. "Let us wait here. There is something
+coming up the street."
+
+"But what is it?" asked Dr. Templeton. "Does anybody know?"
+
+"I guess it is a strikers' parade, sir. I heard that they were to
+organise a march-out to-night. It is rather a ridiculous thing."
+
+Through the deepening twilight they could see at the head of the column
+and immediately before the band, a double platoon of young girls dressed
+in white, under the command of an officer distinguished from the others
+by her red sash, all marching with a beautiful precision to the tap
+of the drum. As the head of the column drew opposite, Patricia touched
+Vic's arm.
+
+"Vic!" she cried. "Look! Look at that girl! It is Annette!"
+
+"My aunt! So it is!" cried Vic. "Jove! What a picture she makes! What a
+swing!"
+
+Behind that swinging company of girls came the band, marching to the
+tapping of the drum only. Then after a space came a figure, pathetic,
+arresting, moving--a woman, obviously a workman's wife, of middle age,
+grey, workworn, and carrying a babe of a few months in her arms, marched
+alone. Plainly dressed, her grey head bare, she walked proudly erect
+but with evident signs of weariness. The appearance of that lone, weary,
+grey-haired woman and her helpless babe struck hard upon the heart with
+its poignant appeal, choking men's throats and bringing hot tears to
+women's eyes. Following that lonely figure came one who was apparently
+the officer in command of the column. As he came opposite the gate,
+his eye fell upon the group there. Swiftly he turned about, and, like a
+trumpet, his voice rang out in command:
+
+"Ba-t-t-a-a-lion, halt!! R-r-r-i-g-h-t turn!"
+
+Immediately the whole column came to a halt and faced toward the side of
+the street where stood the group within the shadow of the gate.
+
+"I am going to get Annette," said Patricia to her father, and she darted
+off, returning almost immediately with the leader of the girls' squad.
+
+"What does this mean, Annette? What are you doing? It is a great lark!"
+cried Patricia.
+
+"Well, it is not exactly a lark," answered Annette, with a slight laugh.
+"You see, we girls want to help out the boys. We are strikers, too, you
+know. They asked us to take part in the parade, and here we are. But
+it's got away past being a lark," she continued, her voice and face
+growing stern. "There is a lot of suffering among the workers. I know
+all my money has gone," she added, after a moment, with a gay laugh.
+
+Meantime, the officer commanding the column had spoken a few words to
+the leader of the band, and in response, to the surprise and dismay of
+the venerable Doctor, the band struck up that rollicking air associated
+with the time-honoured chorus, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Then all
+stood silent, gazing at the Doctor, who, much embarrassed, could only
+gaze back in return.
+
+"Papa, dear," said Adrien, who with Hugh Maynard had joined them at the
+gate, "you will have to speak to them."
+
+"Speak to them, my dear? What in the world could I say? I have nothing
+to say to them."
+
+"Oh, but you must, Papa! Just thank them."
+
+"And tell them you are all for them, Daddy!" added Patricia impulsively.
+
+Then the old Doctor, buttoning his coat tightly about him and drawing
+himself erect, said:
+
+"Rupert, please run your car out to the road. Thank you." Mounting
+the car, he stood waiting quietly till the cheering had died down into
+silence, his beautiful, noble, saintly face lit with the faint glow
+that still came from the western sky but more with the inner light that
+shines from a soul filled with high faith in God and compassion for man.
+
+"Gentlemen--" he began.
+
+"Ladies, too, Papa," said Patricia in a clear undertone.
+
+"Ah!" corrected the Doctor. "Ladies and Gentlemen:" while a laugh ran
+down the line. "One generally begins a speech with the words 'I am glad
+to see you here.' These words I cannot say this evening. I regret more
+deeply than you can understand the occasion of your being here at all.
+And in this regret I know that you all share. But I am glad that I
+can say from my heart that I feel honoured by and deeply moved by
+the compliment you have just paid me through your band. I could wish,
+indeed, that I was the 'jolly good fellow' you have said, but as I look
+at you I confess I am anything but 'jolly.' I have been in too many of
+your homes during the last three weeks to be jolly. The simple truth
+is, I am deeply saddened and, whatever be the rights or wrongs, and
+all fair-minded men will agree that there are rights and wrongs on
+both sides, my heart goes out in sympathy to all who are suffering and
+anxious and fearful for the future. I will try to do my best to bring
+about a better understanding."
+
+"We know that, sir," shouted a voice. "Ye done yer best."
+
+"But so far I and those labouring with me have failed. But surely,
+surely, wise and reasonable men can find before many days a solution for
+these problems. And now let me beg your leaders to be patient a little
+longer, to banish angry and suspicious feelings and to be willing to
+follow the light. I see that many of you are soldiers. To you my heart
+goes out with a love as true as if you were my own sons, for you were
+the comrades of my son. Let me appeal to you to preserve unbroken that
+fine spirit of comradeship that made the Canadian Army what it was. And
+let me assure you all that, however our weak and erring human hearts may
+fail and come short, the great heart of the Eternal Father is unchanging
+in Its love and pity for us all. Meantime, believe me, I shall never
+cease to labour and pray that very soon peace may come to us again."
+Then, lifting his hands over them while the men uncovered, he said a
+brief prayer, closing with the apostolic blessing.
+
+Startled at the burst of cheering which followed shortly after the
+conclusion of the prayer, the babe broke into loud crying. Vainly the
+weary mother sought to quiet her child, she herself well-nigh exhausted
+with her march, being hardly able to stand erect. Swiftly Adrien sprang
+from the car and ran out to her.
+
+"Let me carry the babe," she cried, taking the child in her arms. "Come
+into the car with me."
+
+"No," said the woman fiercely. "I will go through with it." But even as
+she spoke she swayed upon her feet.
+
+With gentle insistence, however, Adrien caught her arm and forced her
+toward the car.
+
+"I will not leave them," said the woman stubbornly.
+
+"Speak to her, Annette," said Adrien. "She cannot walk."
+
+"Mrs. Egan," said Annette, coming to her, "it will be quite all right
+to go in the car. It will be all the better. Think of the fine parade it
+will make."
+
+But, still protesting, the old woman hung back, crying, "Let me go! I
+will go through!"
+
+"Sure thing!" cried Patricia. "We will take you along. Where's Rupert?"
+
+But Rupert, furious and disgusted, hung back in the shadow.
+
+"Here, Vic!" cried Patricia. "You take the wheel!"
+
+"Delighted, I am sure!" cried Vic, climbing into the seat. "Get in here,
+Patsy. All set, Colonel," he added, saluting to the officer in command
+of the parade, and again the column broke into cheering as they moved
+off to the tap of the drum, Rupert's elegant Hudson Six taking a place
+immediately following the band.
+
+"All my life I have longed for the spotlight," murmured Vic to his
+companion, a delighted grin on his face. "But one can have too much of
+a good thing. And, with Wellington, I am praying that night may come
+before I reach the haunts of my comrades in arms."
+
+"Why, Vic, do you care?" cried Patricia. "Not I! And I think it was just
+splendid of Adrien!"
+
+"Oh, topping! But did you see the gentle Rupert's face? Oh, it was
+simply priceless! Fancy this sacred car leading a strikers' parade." And
+Vic's body shook with delighted chuckles.
+
+"Don't laugh, Vic!" said Patricia, laying her hand upon his arm. "The
+lady behind will see you."
+
+"Steady it is," said Vic. "But I feel as if I were the elephant in the
+circus. I say, can we execute a flank movement, or must we go through to
+the bitter end?"
+
+"Adrien," said Patricia, "do you think this night air is good for the
+baby?"
+
+"We shall go on a bit yet," said Adrien. "Mrs. Egan is very tired and I
+am sure will want to go home presently."
+
+But Mrs. Egan was beginning to recover her strength and, indeed, to
+enjoy the new distinction of riding in a car, and in this high company.
+
+"No," she said, "I must go through." She had the look and tone of a
+martyr. "They chose me, you see, and I must go through!"
+
+"Oh, very well," said Adrien cheerfully. "We shall just go along, Vic."
+
+Through the main streets of the town the parade marched and
+countermarched till, in a sudden, they found themselves in front of the
+McGinnis foundry. Before the gate in the high board fence which enclosed
+the property, a small crowd had gathered, which greeted the marching
+column with uproarious cheers. From the company at the gate a man rushed
+forward and spoke eagerly to the officer in command.
+
+"By Jove, there's Tony!" said Vic. "And that chap McDonough. What does
+this mean?"
+
+After a brief conversation with Tony, who apparently was passionately
+pressing his opinion, the officer shook his head and marched steadily
+forward. Suddenly Tony, climbing upon the fence, threw up his hand and,
+pointing toward the foundry, shouted forth the single word, "Scabs!"
+Instantly the column halted. Again Tony, in a yell, uttered the same
+word, "Scabs!" From hundreds of throats there was an answering roar,
+savage, bloodthirsty as from a pack of wild beasts. Tony waved his hand
+for silence.
+
+"Scabs!" he cried again. "McGinnis strike-breakers! They came to-night.
+They are in there!" He swung his arm around and pointed to the foundry.
+"Shall we give them a welcome? What do you say, boys?" Again and more
+fiercely than before, more terribly cruel, came the answering roar.
+
+"Here, this is no place for you!" cried Vic. "Let's get out." At his
+touch the machine leaped forward, clear of the crowd.
+
+"Annette!" cried Adrien, her hand on Vic's shoulder. "Go and get her!"
+
+Halting the car, Vic leaped from the wheel, ran to where the girls'
+squad was halted and caught Annette by the arm.
+
+"Annette," he said, "get your girls away from here quick! Come with us!"
+
+But Annette laughed scornfully at him.
+
+"Go with you? Not I! But," she added in a breathless undertone, "for
+God's sake, get your ladies and the baby away. These people won't know
+who you are. Move quick!"
+
+"Come with us, Annette!" implored Vic. "If you come, the rest will
+follow."
+
+"Go! Go!" cried Annette, pushing him. Already the crowd were tearing the
+fence to pieces with their hands, and rocks were beginning to fly.
+
+Failing to move the girl, Vic sprang to the wheel again.
+
+"I will get you away from this, anyway," he said.
+
+"But Annette!" cried Patricia. "We can't leave her!"
+
+But Vic made no reply, and at his touch the machine leaped forward,
+and none too soon, for already men were crowding about the car on every
+side.
+
+"We are well out of that!" said Vic coolly. "And now I will take you all
+home. Hello! They're messing up McGinnis's things a bit," he added, as
+the sound of crashing glass came to their ears.
+
+Through the quiet streets the car flew like a hunted thing, and in a
+very few minutes they were at the Rectory door.
+
+"No fuss, now, Patricia," said Adrien, "we must not alarm Mamma. All
+steady."
+
+"Right you are! Steady it is!" said Patricia springing from the car.
+Quietly but swiftly they got the woman and the child indoors.
+
+"Hugh! Rupert!" said Adrien, speaking in a quiet voice. "Vic needs you
+out there. That is a wild car of yours, Rupert," she added with a laugh.
+"It fairly flies." Gathering in her hands the men's hats and sticks, she
+hurried them out of the door.
+
+"Cheerio!" cried Vic. "A lovely war is going on down at the McGinnis
+plant. Get in and let us plan a campaign. First, to Police Headquarters,
+I suppose." As they flew through the streets Vic gave them in a few
+words a picture of the scenes he had just witnessed.
+
+They found the Chief of Police in his office. At their first word he was
+on the move.
+
+"I was afraid of this thing when that fool parade started," he said.
+"Sergeant, send out the general alarm!"
+
+"How many men have you, Chief?" inquired Hugh.
+
+"About twenty-five, all told. But they are all over the town. How many
+men are down there?"
+
+"There are five hundred, at least; possibly a thousand, raging like wild
+bulls of Bashan."
+
+As he spoke, another car came tearing up and Jack Maitland sprang from
+the wheel.
+
+"Are you in need of help, Chief?" he asked quietly.
+
+"All the good men we can get," said the Chief curtly. "But first we must
+get the Mayor here. Sergeant, get him on the phone."
+
+"You go for him, Vic," said Jack.
+
+"Righto!" cried Vic. "But count me in on this."
+
+In fifteen minutes Vic was back with the Mayor, helpless with nervous
+excitement.
+
+"Get your men out, Chief!" he shouted, as he sprang from the car. "Get
+them out quick, arrest those devils and lock 'em up! We'll show them a
+thing or two! Hurry up! What are you waiting for?"
+
+"Mr. Mayor," Jack's clear, firm, cool voice arrested the Mayor's
+attention. "May I suggest that you swear in some special constables? The
+Chief will need help and some of us here would be glad to assist."
+
+"Yes! Yes! For God's sake, hurry up! Here's the clerk. How do you swear
+them in, clerk?"
+
+"The Chief of Police has all the necessary authority."
+
+"All right, Chief. Swear them! Swear them! For heaven's sake, swear
+them! Here, you, Maitland--and you, Maynard--and Stillwell--"
+
+With cool, swift efficiency born of his experience in the war, the Chief
+went on with his arrangements. In his hands the process of swearing in
+a number of special constables was speedily accomplished. Meantime many
+cars and a considerable number of men had gathered about the Police
+Headquarters.
+
+"What is that light?" cried the Mayor suddenly, pointing in the
+direction of the foundry. "It's a fire! My God, Chief, do you see that
+fire? Hurry up! Why don't you hurry up? They will burn the town down."
+
+"All right, Mr. Mayor," said the Chief. "We shall be there in a few
+minutes now. Captain Maitland," said the Chief, "I will take the men I
+have with me. Will you swear in all you can get within the next fifteen
+or twenty minutes, and report to me at the foundry? Sergeant, you come
+along with me! I'm off!" So saying, the Chief commandeered as many cars
+as were necessary, packed them with the members of his police force
+available and with the specials he had secured, and hurried away.
+
+After the Chief had retired, Jack stood up in his car. "Any of you chaps
+want to get into this?" he said, addressing the crowd. His voice was
+cheery and cool. At once a dozen voices responded. "Righto!" "Here
+you are!" "Put me down!" In less than fifteen minutes, he had secured
+between forty and fifty men.
+
+"I want all these cars," he said. "Get in, men. Hold on!" he shouted at
+a driver who had thrown in his clutch. "Let no man move without orders!
+Any man disobeying orders will be arrested at once! Remember that no
+guns are to be used, no matter what provocation may be given. Even if
+you are fired on, don't fire in return! Does any man know where we can
+get anything in the shape of clubs?"
+
+"Hundreds of axe handles in our store," said Rupert.
+
+"Right you are! Drivers, fall in line. Keep close up. Now, Mr. Mayor, if
+you please."
+
+Armed with axe handles from Stillwell & Son's store, they set off for
+the scene of action. Arrived at the foundry they found the maddest,
+wildest confusion raging along the street in front of the foundry, and
+in the foundry yard which was crowded with men. The board fence along
+the front of the grounds had been torn down and used as fagots to fire
+the foundry, which was blazing merrily in a dozen places. Everywhere
+about the blazing building parties of men like hounds on the trail
+were hunting down strike-breakers and, on finding them, were brutally
+battering them into insensibility.
+
+Driving his car through the crowd, Maitland found his way to the
+Chief. In a few short, sharp sentences, the Chief explained his plan of
+operations. "Clear the street in front, and hold it so! Then come and
+assist me in clearing this yard."
+
+"All right, sir!" replied Maitland, touching his hat as to a superior
+officer, and, wheeling his car, he led his men back to the thronging
+street.
+
+Meantime, the Fire Department had arrived upon the scene with a couple
+of engines, a hose reel and other fire-fighting apparatus, the firemen
+greatly hampered in their operations.
+
+Swinging his car back through the crowd, Maitland made his way to the
+street, and set to work to clear the space immediately in front of the
+foundry. Parking his cars at one end of the street, and forming his men
+up in a single line, he began slowly to press back the crowd. It
+was slow and difficult work, for the crowd, unable to recognise his
+ununiformed special constables, resented their attack.
+
+He called Victor to his side. "Get a man with you," he said, "and bring
+up two cars here."
+
+"Come along, Rupert," cried Victor, seizing Stillwell, and together they
+darted back to where the cars stood. Mounting one of the cars, Maitland
+shouted in a loud voice:
+
+"The Chief of Police wants this street cleared. So get back, please! We
+don't wish to hurt anyone. Now, get back!" And lining up level with the
+cars, the special constables again began to press forward, using their
+axe handles as bayonets and seeking to prod their way through.
+
+High up on a telegraph pole, his foot on one of the climbing spikes, was
+a man directing and encouraging the attack. As he drew near, Maitland
+discovered this man to be no other than Tony, wildly excited and vastly
+enjoying himself.
+
+"Come down, Tony!" he said. "Hurry up!"
+
+"Cheerio, Captain!" shouted Tony. "What about Festubert?"
+
+"Come down, Tony," said Maitland, "and be quick about it!"
+
+"Sorry, can't do it, Captain. I am a fixture here."
+
+Like a cat, Maitland swarmed up the pole and coming to a level with
+Tony, struck him swiftly and unexpectedly a single blow. It caught Tony
+on the chin. He swung off from the post, hung a moment, then dropped
+quietly to the ground. As he fell, a woman's shriek rang out from the
+crowd and tearing her way through the line came Annette, who flung
+herself upon her brother.
+
+"Here you," said Jack, seizing a couple of men from the crowd, "get this
+man in my car. Now, Annette," he continued, "don't make a fuss. Tony
+isn't hurt. We'll send him quietly home. Now then, men, let's have no
+nonsense," he shouted. "I want this street cleared, and quick!"
+
+As he spoke, a huge man ran out from the crowd and, with an oath, flung
+himself at Maitland. But before he came within striking distance, an axe
+handle flashed and the man went down like a log.
+
+"Axe handles!" shouted Maitland. "But steady, men!"
+
+Over the heads of the advancing line, the axe handles swung, men
+dropping before them at every step. At once the crowd began a hasty
+retreat, till the pressure upon the back lines made it impossible for
+those in front to escape. From over the heads of the crowd rocks began
+to fly. A number of his specials were wounded and for a moment the
+advance hung fire. Down through the crowd came a fireman, dragging with
+him a hose preparatory to getting into action.
+
+"Hello, there!" called Maitland. The fireman looked up at him. Jack
+sprang down to his side. "I want to clear this street," he said. "You
+can do it for me."
+
+"Well, I can try," said the fireman with a grin, and turning his hose
+toward the crowd, gave the signal for the water, holding the nozzle at
+an angle slightly off the perpendicular. In a very few moments the
+crowd in the rear found themselves under a deluge of falling water, and
+immediately they took to their heels, followed as rapidly as possible
+by those in front. Then, levelling his nozzle, the fireman proceeded
+to wash back from either side of the street those who had sought refuge
+there, and before many minutes had elapsed, the street was cleared, and
+in command of Maitland's specials.
+
+Leaving the street under guard, Maitland and his specials went to the
+help of the Chief, who was hampered more or less by His Worship, the
+Mayor, and very considerably by Mr. McGinnis, who had meantime arrived,
+mad with rage and demanding blood, and proceeded to clear up the foundry
+yard, and rescue the strike-breakers who had taken refuge within the
+burning building and in holes and corners about the premises. It was no
+light matter, but under the patient, good-natured but resolute direction
+of the Chief, they finally completed their job, rounding up the
+strike-breakers in a corner of the yard and driving off their assailants
+to a safe distance.
+
+There remained still the most difficult part of their task. The
+strike-breakers must be got to the Police Headquarters, the nearest
+available place of safety. For, on the street beyond the water line, the
+crowd was still waiting in wrathful mood. The foundry was a wreck,
+but even this did not satisfy the fury of the strikers, which had been
+excited by the presence of the strike-breakers imported by McGinnis.
+For the more seriously injured, ambulances were called, and these were
+safely got off under police guard to the General Hospital.
+
+The Chief entered into consultation with the Mayor:
+
+"The only safe place within reach," he said, "is Police Headquarters.
+And the shortest and best route is up the hill to the left. But
+unfortunately, that is where the big crowd is gathered. There are not so
+many if we take the route to the right, but that is a longer way round."
+
+"Put the men in your cars, Chief," said McGinnis, "and smash your way
+through. They can't stop you."
+
+"Yes, and kill a dozen or so," said the Chief.
+
+"Why not? Aren't they breaking the law?"
+
+"Oh, well, Mr. McGinnis," said the Chief, "it is easy to kill men. The
+trouble is they are no use to anybody after they are dead. No, we must
+have no killing to-night. To-morrow we'd be sorry for it."
+
+"Let us drive up and see them," suggested the Mayor. "Let me talk to the
+boys. The boys know me."
+
+The Chief did not appear to be greatly in love with the suggestion of
+the Mayor.
+
+"Well," he said, "it would do no harm to drive up and have a look at
+them. We'll see how they are fixed, anyway. I think, Mr. McGinnis, you
+had better remain on guard here. The Mayor and Captain Maitland will
+come with me."
+
+Commandeering Rupert and his car, the Chief took his party at a moderate
+pace up the street, at the top of which the crowd stood waiting in
+compact masses. Into these masses Rupert recklessly drove his car.
+
+"Steady there, Stillwell," warned the Chief. "You'll hurt someone."
+
+"Hurt them?" said Rupert. "What do you want?"
+
+"Certainly not to hurt anyone," replied the Chief quietly. "The function
+of my police force is the protection of citizens. Halt there!"
+
+The Chief stepped out among the strikers and stood in the glare of the
+headlights.
+
+"Well, boys," he said pleasantly, "don't you think it is time to get
+home? I think you have done enough damage to-night already. I am going
+to give you a chance to get away. We don't want to hurt anyone and we
+don't want to have any of you down for five years or so."
+
+Then the Mayor spoke up. "Men, this is a most disgraceful thing. Most
+deplorable. Think of the stain upon the good name of our fair city."
+
+Howls of derision drowned his further speech for a time.
+
+"Now, boys," he continued, "can't we end this thing right here? Why
+can't you disperse quietly and go to your homes? What do you want here,
+anyway?"
+
+"Scabs!" yelled a voice, followed by a savage yell from the crowd.
+
+"Men," said the Chief sharply, "you know me. I want this street cleared.
+I shall return here in five minutes and anyone seeking to stop me will
+do so at his own risk. I have a hundred men down there and this time
+they won't give you the soft end of the club."
+
+"We want them sulphurously described scabs," yelled a voice. "We ain't
+goin' to kill them, Chief. They're lousy. We want to give 'em a bath."
+And a savage yell of laughter greeted the remark. On every hand the
+word was taken up: "A bath! A bath! The river! The river!" The savage
+laughter of the crowd was even more horrible than their rage.
+
+"All right, boys. We are coming back and we are going through. Leave
+this street clear or take your chances! It's up to you!" So saying, the
+car was turned about and the party proceeded back to the foundry.
+
+"What are you going to do, Chief?" inquired the Mayor anxiously.
+
+"There are a lot of soldiers in that crowd," said the Chief. "I don't
+like the looks of them. They are too steady. I hate to smash through
+them."
+
+Arrived at the foundry, the Chief paced up and down, pondering his
+problem. He called Maitland to his side.
+
+"How many cars have we here, Maitland?" he inquired.
+
+"Some fifteen, I think. And there are five or six more parked down on
+the street."
+
+"That would be enough," said the Chief. "I hate the idea of smashing
+through that crowd. You see, some of those boys went through hell with
+me and I hate to hurt them."
+
+"Why not try a ruse?" suggested Maitland. "Divide your party. You take
+five or six cars with constables up the hill to that crowd there. Let me
+take the strikebreakers and the rest of the cars and make a dash to the
+right. It's a longer way round but with the streets clear, we can arrive
+at Headquarters in a very few minutes."
+
+The Chief considered the plan for a few minutes in silence.
+
+"It's a good plan, Maitland," he said at length. "It's a good plan.
+And we'll put it through. I'll make the feint on the left; you run
+them through on the right. I believe we can pull it off. Give me a few
+minutes to engage their attention before you set out."
+
+Everything came off according to plan. As the Chief's detachment of
+cars approached the solid mass of strikers, they slowly gave back before
+them.
+
+"Clear the way there!" said the Chief. "We are going through!"
+
+Step by step the crowd gave way, pressed by the approaching cars.
+Suddenly, at a word of command, the mass opened ranks and the Chief saw
+before him a barrier across the street, constructed of fencing torn from
+neighbouring gardens, an upturned delivery wagon, a very ugly and very
+savage-looking field harrow commandeered from a neighbouring market
+garden, with wicked-looking, protruding teeth and other debris of
+varied material, but all helping to produce a most effective barricade.
+Silently the Chief stood for a few moments, gazing at the obstruction.
+A curious, ominous growl of laughter ran through the mob. Then came a
+sharp word of command:
+
+"Unload!"
+
+As with one movement his party of constables were on the ground and
+lined up in front of their cars, with their clubs and axe handles ready
+for service. Still the mob waited in ominous silence. The Chief drew his
+gun and said in a loud, clear voice:
+
+"I am going to clear away this barricade. The first man that offers to
+prevent me I shall shoot on the spot."
+
+"I wouldn't do that, Chief," said a voice quietly from the rear. "There
+are others, you know. Listen."
+
+Three shots rang out in rapid succession, and again silence fell.
+
+Meantime from the corner of the barricade a man had been peering into
+the cars.
+
+"Boys!" he shouted. "They ain't there! There ain't no scabs."
+
+The Chief laughed quietly.
+
+"Who said there were?" he asked.
+
+"Sold, by thunder!" said the man. Then he yelled: "We'll get 'em yet.
+Come on, boys, to the main street."
+
+Like a deer, he doubled down a side street, followed by the crowd,
+yelling, cursing, swearing deep oaths.
+
+"Let 'em go," said the Chief. "Maitland's got through by this time." As
+he spoke, two shots rang out, followed by the crash of glass, and the
+headlights of the first car went black.
+
+"Just as well you didn't get through, Chief," said the voice of the
+previous speaker. "Might've got hurt, eh?"
+
+"Give it to him, Chief," said Rupert savagely.
+
+"No use," said the Chief. "Let him go."
+
+Meanwhile, Maitland, with little or no opposition, had got his cars
+through the crowd, which as a matter of fact were unaware of the
+identity of the party until after they had broken through.
+
+Their way led by a circuitous route through quiet back streets,
+approaching Police Headquarters from the rear. A ten-minute run brought
+them to a short side street which led past the Maitland Mills, at the
+entrance to which they saw under the glare of the arc lights over the
+gateway a crowd blocking their way.
+
+"Now, what in thunder is this? Hold up a minute," said Maitland to his
+driver. "Let me take a look." He ran forward to the main entrance.
+There he found the gateway, which stood a little above the street
+level, blocked by a number of his own men, some of whom he recognised
+as members of his hockey team, and among them, McNish. Out in the street
+among the crowd stood Simmons, standing on a barrel, lashing himself
+into a frenzy and demanding blood, fire, revolution, and what not.
+
+"McNish, you here?" said Maitland sharply. "What is it, peace or war?
+Speak quick!"
+
+"A'm haudden these fules back fra the mill," answered McNish with a
+scowl. Then, dropping into his book English, he continued bitterly:
+"They have done enough to-night already. They have wrecked our cause for
+us!"
+
+"You are dead right, McNish," answered Maitland. "And what do they want
+here?"
+
+"They are some of McGinnis's men and they are mad at the way you handled
+them over yonder. They are bound to get in here. They are only waiting
+for the rest of the crowd. Yon eejit doesn't know what he is saying.
+They are all half-drunk."
+
+Maitland's mind worked swiftly. "McNish, listen!" he said. "I am in a
+deuce of a fix. I have the scabs in those cars there with me. The crowd
+are following me up. What shall I do?"
+
+"My God, man, you're lost. They'll tear ye tae bits."
+
+"McNish, listen. I'll run them into the office by the side gate down the
+street. Keep them busy here. Let that fool Simmons spout all he wants.
+He'll help to make a row."
+
+His eyes fell upon a crouching figure at his feet.
+
+"Who is this? It's Sam, by all that's holy! Why, Sam, you are the very
+chap I want. Listen, boy. Slip around to the side door and open it wide
+till I bring in some cars. Then shut and bar it quick." Carefully he
+repeated his instructions. "Can you do it, Sam?"
+
+"I'm awful scared, Captain," replied the boy, his teeth chattering, "but
+I'll try it."
+
+"Good boy," said Maitland. "Don't fail me, Sam. They might kill me."
+
+"All right, Captain. I'll do it!" And Sam disappeared, crawling under
+the gate, while Maitland slipped back to his cars and passed the word
+among the drivers. "Keep close up and stop for nothing!"
+
+They had almost made the entry when some man hanging on the rear of the
+crowd caught sight of them.
+
+"Scabs! Scabs!" cried the man, dashing after the cars. But Sam was equal
+to his task, and as the last car passed through the gateway he slammed
+and bolted the door in their faces.
+
+Disposing of the strike-breakers in the office, Maitland and his guard
+of specials passed outside to the main gate and took their places beside
+McNish and his guard. Before them the mob had become a mad, yelling,
+frenzied thing, bereft of power of thought, swaying under the fury of
+their passion like tree tops blown by storm, reiterating in hoarse and
+broken cries the single word "Scabs! Scabs!"
+
+"Keep them going somehow, McNish," said Maitland. "The Chief won't be
+long now."
+
+McNish climbed up upon the fence and, held in place there by two
+specials, lifted his hand for silence. But Simmons, who all too
+obviously had fallen under the spell of the bootleggers, knew too well
+the peril of his cause. Shrill and savage rose his voice:
+
+"Don't listen to 'im. 'E's a traitor, a blank and double-blank traitor.
+'E sold us (h)up, 'e 'as. Don't listen to 'im."
+
+Like a maniac he spat out the words from his foam-flecked lips, waving
+his arms madly about his head. Relief came from an unexpected source.
+Sam Wigglesworth, annoyed at Simmons's persistence and observing that
+McNish, to whom as a labour leader he felt himself bound, regarded the
+orating and gesticulating Simmons with disfavour, reached down and,
+pulling a sizable club from beneath the bottom of a fence, took careful
+aim and, with the accuracy of the baseball pitcher that he was, hurled
+it at the swaying figure upon the barrel. The club caught Simmons fair
+in the mouth, who, being, none too firmly set upon his pedestal, itself
+affording a wobbling foothold, landed spatting and swearing in the arms
+of his friends below. With the mercurial temper characteristic of a
+crowd, they burst into a yell of laughter.
+
+"Go to it now, McNish!" said Maitland.
+
+Echoing the laughter, McNish once more held up his hand. "Earth to
+earth, ashes to ashes," he said in his deepest and most solemn tone. The
+phenomenal absurdity of a joke from the solemn Scotchman again tickled
+the uncertain temperament of the crowd into boisterous laughter.
+
+"Men, listen tae me!" cried McNish. "Ye mad a bad mistake the nicht.
+In fact, ye're a lot of fules. And those who led ye are worse, for they
+have lost us the strike, if that is any satisfaction tae ye. And now
+ye want to do another fule thing. Ye're mad just because ye didn't know
+enough to keep out of the wet."
+
+But at this point, a man fighting his way from the rear of the crowd,
+once more raised the cry "Scabs!"
+
+"Keep that fool quiet," said McNish sharply.
+
+"Keep quiet yourself, McNish," replied the man, still pushing his way
+toward the front.
+
+"Heaven help us now," said Maitland. "It's Tony, and drunk at that!"
+
+It was indeed Tony, without hat, coat or vest.
+
+"McNish, we want those scabs," said Tony, in drunken gravity.
+
+"There are nae scabs here. Haud ye're drunken tongue," said McNish
+savagely.
+
+"McNish," persisted Tony in a grave and perfectly courteous tone,
+"you're a liar. The scabs are in that office." A roar again swept the
+crowd.
+
+"Men, listen to me," pleaded McNish. "A'll tell ye about the scabs. They
+are in the office yonder. But I have Captain Maitland's word o' honour
+that they will be shipped out of town by the first train."
+
+A savage yell answered him.
+
+"McNish, we'll do the shipping," said Tony, moving still nearer the
+speaker.
+
+"Officer," said Maitland sharply to a uniformed policeman standing by
+his side, "arrest that man!" pointing to Tony.
+
+The policeman drew his baton, took two strides forward, seized Tony by
+the back of the neck and drew him in. An angry yell went up from the
+mob. Maitland felt a hand upon his arm. Looking down, he saw to his
+horror and dismay Annette, her face white and stricken with grief and
+terror.
+
+"Oh, Jack," she pleaded, "don't let Tony be arrested. He broke away from
+us. Let me take him. He will come with me. Oh, let me take him!"
+
+"Rescue! Rescue!" shouted the crowd, rushing the cordon of police lining
+the street.
+
+"Kill him! Kill the traitor!" yelled Simmons, struggling through and
+waving unsteadily the revolver in his hand. "Down with that tyrant,
+Maitland! Kill him!" he shrieked.
+
+He raised his arm, holding his gun with both hands.
+
+"Look out, Jack," shrieked Annette, flinging herself on him.
+
+Simultaneously with the shot, a woman's scream rang out and Annette fell
+back into Maitland's arms. A silence deep as death fell upon the mob.
+
+With a groan McNish dropped from the fence beside the girl.
+
+Annette opened her eyes and, looking up into Maitland's face, whispered:
+"He didn't get you, Jack. I'm so glad."
+
+"Oh, Annette, dear girl! He's killed you!"
+
+"It's--all--right--Jack," she whispered. "I--saved--you."
+
+Meanwhile McNish, with her hand caught in his, was sobbing: "God, have
+mercy! She's deed! She's deed!"
+
+Annette again opened her eyes. "Poor Malcolm," she whispered. "Dear
+Malcolm." Then, closing her eyes again, quietly as a tired child, she
+sank into unconsciousness. The big Scotchman, still kissing her hand,
+sobbed:
+
+"Puir lassie, puir lassie! Ma God! Ma God! What now? What now?"
+
+"She is dead. The girl is dead." The word passed from lip to lip among
+the crowd, which still held motionless and silent.
+
+"We'll get her into the office," said Maitland.
+
+"A'll tak her," said McNish, and, stopping down, he lifted her tenderly
+in his arms, stood for a moment facing the crowd, and then in a voice of
+unutterable sadness that told of a broken heart, he said: "Ye've killed
+her. Ye've killed the puir lassie. Are ye content?" And passed in
+through the gate, holding the motionless form close to his heart.
+
+As he passed with his pathetic burden, the men on guard at the gate
+bared their heads. Immediately on every hand throughout the crowd men
+took off their hats and stood silent till he had disappeared from their
+sight. In the presence of that poignant grief their rage against him
+ceased, swept out of their hearts by an overwhelming pity.
+
+In one swift instant a door had opened from another and unknown world,
+and through the open door a Presence, majestic, imperious, had moved
+in upon them, withering with His icy breath their hot passions, smiting
+their noisy clamour to guilty silence.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A GALLANT FIGHT
+
+
+In the Rectory the night was one long agony of fear and anxiety. Adrien
+had taken Mrs. Egan and her babe home in a taxi as soon as circumstances
+would warrant, and then, lest they should alarm their mother, they made
+pretense of retiring for the night.
+
+After seeing their mother safely bestowed, they slipped downstairs, and,
+muffling the telephone, sat waiting for news, slipping out now and then
+to the street, one at a time, to watch the glare of the fire in the sky
+and to listen for the sounds of rioting from the town.
+
+At length from Victor came news of the tragedy. With whitening face,
+Adrien took the message. Not for nothing had she walked the wards in
+France.
+
+"Listen, Victor," she said, speaking in a quick, firm voice. "It is
+almost impossible to get a nurse in time and quite impossible to get one
+skilled in this sort of case. Come for me. I shall be ready and shall
+take charge. Tell Dr. Meredith I am quite free."
+
+"All right. Lose no time."
+
+"Oh, what is it, Adrien?" said Patricia, wringing her hands. "Is it
+Jack? Or Victor?"
+
+Adrien caught her by the shoulders: "Patricia, I want your help. No
+talk! Come with me. I will tell you as I dress."
+
+Swiftly, with no hurry or flurry, Adrien changed into her uniform,
+packed her bag, giving Patricia meantime the story of the tragedy which
+she had heard over the telephone.
+
+"And to think it might have been Jack," said Patricia, wringing her
+hands. "Oh, dear, dear Annette. Can't I help in some way, Adrien?"
+
+"Patricia, listen to me, child. The first thing is keep your head. You
+can help me greatly. You will take charge here and later, perhaps, you
+can help me in other ways. Meantime you must assume full responsibility
+for them all here. Much depends on you!"
+
+The girl stood gazing with wide-open blue eyes at her sister. Then
+quietly she answered:
+
+"I'll do my best, Adrien. There's Vic." She rushed swiftly downstairs.
+Suddenly she stopped, steadied her pace, and received him with a calm
+that surprised that young man beyond measure.
+
+"Adrien is quite ready, Vic," she said.
+
+"Topping," said Vic. "What a brick she is! Dr. Meredith didn't know
+where to turn for a nurse. The hospital is full. Every nurse is
+engaged. So much sickness, you know, in town. Ah, here she is. You are a
+lightning-change artist, Adrien."
+
+"How is Annette, Vic? Is she still living?" asked Patricia.
+
+"I don't know," replied Vic, wondering at the change in the girl before
+him.
+
+"Darling," said Adrien, "I will let you know at once. I hate to leave
+you."
+
+"Leave me!" cried Patricia. "Nonsense, Adrien, I shall be quite all
+right. Only," she added, clasping her hands, "let me know when you can."
+
+When the ambulance arrived at the Maitland home, Adrien was at the door.
+All was in readiness--hot water, bandages, and everything needful to the
+doctor's hand.
+
+McNish carried Annette up to the room prepared for her, laid her down
+and stood in dumb grief looking down upon her.
+
+Adrien touched him on the arm.
+
+"Come," she said. And, taking his arm, led him downstairs. "Stay here,"
+she said. "I will bring you word as soon as possible."
+
+An hour later she returned, and found him sitting in the exact position
+in which she had left him. He apparently had not moved hand or foot. At
+her entrance he looked up, eager, voiceless.
+
+"She is resting," said Adrien. "The bullet is extracted. It had gone
+quite through to the outer skin--a clean wound."
+
+"How long," said McNish, passing his tongue over his dry lips, "how long
+does the doctor say--"
+
+"The doctor says nothing. She asked for you."
+
+McNish started up and went toward the door.
+
+"But you cannot go to her now."
+
+"She asked for me?" said McNish.
+
+"Yes. But she must be kept quite quiet. The very least excitement might
+hurt her."
+
+"Hurt her?" said McNish, and sat down quietly.
+
+After a moment's silence, he said:
+
+"You will let me see her--once more--before she--she--" He paused, his
+lips quivering, his great blue eyes pitifully beseeching her.
+
+"Mr. McNish," said Adrien, "she may not die."
+
+"Ma God!" he whispered, falling on his knees and catching her hand in
+both of his. "Ma God! Dinna lee tae me."
+
+"Believe me, I would not," said Adrien, while the great eyes seemed to
+drag the truth from her very soul. "The doctor says nothing, but I have
+seen many cases of bullet wounds, and I have hope."
+
+"Hope," he whispered. "Hope! Ma God! hope!" His hands went to his face
+and his great frame shook with silent sobbing.
+
+"But you must be very quiet and steady."
+
+Immediately he was on his feet and standing like a soldier at attention.
+
+"Ay, A wull," he whispered eagerly. "Tell me what tae do?"
+
+"First of all," said Adrien, "we must have something to eat."
+
+A shudder passed through him. "Eat?" he said, as if he had never heard
+the word.
+
+"Yes," said Adrien. "Remember, you promised."
+
+"Ay. A'll eat." Like a man under a mesmeric spell, he went through the
+motions of eating. His mind was far away, his eyes eager, alert, forever
+upon her face.
+
+When they had finished their meal, Adrien said:
+
+"Now, Mr. McNish, is there anything I can do for you?"
+
+"A would like to send word to ma mither," he said. "She disna ken
+onything--aboot--aboot Annette--aboot Annette an' me," a faint touch of
+red coming slowly up in his grey face.
+
+"I shall get word to her. I know the very man. I shall phone the
+Reverend Murdo Matheson."
+
+"Ay," said McNish, "he is the man."
+
+"Now, then," said Adrien, placing him in an easy chair, "you must rest
+there. Remember, I am keeping watch."
+
+With the promise that he would do his best to rest, she left him sitting
+bolt upright in his chair.
+
+Toward morning, Maitland appeared, weary and haggard. Adrien greeted him
+with tender solicitude; it was almost maternal in its tone.
+
+"Oh, Adrien," said Maitland, with a great sight of relief, "you don't
+know how good it is to see you here. It bucks one tremendously to feel
+that you are on this job."
+
+"I shall get you some breakfast immediately," she answered in a calm,
+matter-of-fact voice. "You are done out. Your father has come in and has
+gone to lie down. McNish is in the library."
+
+"And Annette?" said Maitland. He was biting his lips to keep them from
+quivering. "Is she still--"
+
+"She is resting. The maid is watching beside her. Dear Jack," she
+uttered with a quick rush of sympathy, "I know how hard this is for you.
+But I am not without hope for Annette."
+
+A quick light leaped into his eyes. "Hope, did you say? Oh, thank the
+good Lord." His voice broke and he turned away from her. "You know," he
+said, coming back, "she gave her life for me. Oh, Adrien, think of it!
+She threw herself in the way of death for me. She covered me with her
+own body." He sat down suddenly as if almost in collapse, and buried his
+head in his arms, struggling for control.
+
+Adrien went to him and put her arm round his shoulder--she might have
+been his mother. "Dear Jack," she said, "it was a wonderful thing she
+did. God will surely spare her to you."
+
+He rose wearily from his chair and put his arms around her.
+
+"Oh, Adrien," he said, "it is good to have you here. I do need, we all
+need you so."
+
+Gently she put his arms away from her. "And now," she said briskly,
+"I am going to take charge of you, Jack, of you all, and you must obey
+orders."
+
+"Only give me a chance to do anything for you," he said, "or for anyone
+you care for."
+
+There was a puzzled expression on Adrien's face as she turned away. But
+she asked no explanation.
+
+"My first order, then," she said, "is this: you must have your breakfast
+and then go to bed for an hour or two."
+
+"I shall be glad to breakfast, but I have a lot of things to do."
+
+"Can't they wait? And won't you do them better after a good sleep?"
+
+"Some of them can't wait," he replied. "I have just got Tony to bed. The
+doctor has sent him to sleep. His father and mother are watching him.
+Oh, Adrien, that is a sad home. It was a terrible experience for me.
+Tony I must see when he wakes and the poor old father and mother will be
+over here early. I must be ready for them."
+
+"Very well, Jack," said Adrien in a prompt, businesslike tone. "You have
+two clear hours for sleep. You must sleep for the sake of others, you
+understand. I promise to wake you in good time."
+
+"And what about yourself, Adrien?"
+
+"Oh, this is my job," she said lightly. "I shall be relieved in the
+afternoon, the doctor has promised."
+
+When the Employers' Defence Committee met next morning there were many
+haggard faces among its members. In the large hall outside the committee
+room a considerable number of citizens, young and old, had gathered and
+with them the Mayor, conversing in voices tinged with various emotions,
+anxiety, pity, wrath, according to the temper and disposition of each.
+
+In the committee room Mr. Farrington was in the chair. No sooner had
+the meeting been called to order than Mr. Maitland arose, and, speaking
+under deep but controlled feeling, he said:
+
+"Gentlemen, I felt sure none of us would wish to transact ordinary
+business this morning. I was sure, too, that in the very distressing
+circumstances under which we meet you would feel as I do the need
+of guidance and help. I therefore took the liberty of inviting the
+deputation from the Ministerial Association which waited on us the other
+day to join us in our deliberation. Mr. Haynes is away from town, but
+Dr. Templeton and Mr. Matheson have kindly consented to be present. They
+will be here in half an hour's time."
+
+A general and hearty approval of his action was expressed, after which
+the Chairman invited suggestions as to the course to be pursued. But
+no one was ready with a suggestion. Somehow the outlook upon life
+was different this morning, and readjustment of vision appeared to be
+necessary. No man felt himself qualified to offer advice.
+
+From this dilemma they were relieved by a knock upon the door and the
+Mayor appeared.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, "I have no wish to intrude, but a great many of
+our citizens are in the larger hall. They are anxious to be advised upon
+the present trying situation. It has been suggested that your committee
+might join with us in a general public meeting."
+
+After a few moments' consideration, the Mayor's proposition was accepted
+and the committee adjourned to the larger hall, Mr. Farrington resigning
+the chair to His Worship, the Mayor.
+
+The Mayor's tongue was not so ready this morning. He explained the
+circumstances of the meeting and thanked the committee for yielding to
+his request. He was ready to receive any suggestions as to what the next
+step should be.
+
+The silence which followed was broken by Mr. McGinnis, who arose and, in
+a voice much shaken, he inquired:
+
+"Can anyone tell us just what is the last word concerning the young girl
+this morning?"
+
+Mr. Maitland replied: "Before I left the house, the last report was that
+she was resting quietly and, while the doctor was not able to offer any
+hope of her recovery, he ventured to say that he did not quite despair.
+And that from Dr. Meredith, as we know, means something."
+
+"Thank God for that," said McGinnis, and leaning his head upon his hand,
+he sat with his eyes fixed upon the floor.
+
+Again the Mayor asked for suggestions, but no one in the audience
+appeared willing to assume the responsibility of offering guidance.
+
+At length Rupert Stillwell arose. He apologised for speaking in the
+presence of older men, but something had to be done and he ventured to
+offer one suggestion at least.
+
+"It occurs to me," he said, "that one thing at least should be
+immediately done. Those responsible for the disgraceful riot of last
+evening, and I mean more than the actual ringleaders in the affair,
+should be brought to justice." He proceeded to elaborate upon the
+enormity of the crime, the danger to the State of mob rule, the
+necessity for stern measures to prevent the recurrence of such
+disorders. He suggested a special citizens' committee for the
+preservation of public order.
+
+His words appeared to meet the approval of a large number of those
+present, especially of the younger men.
+
+While he was speaking, the audience appeared to be greatly relieved to
+see Dr. Templeton and the Reverend Murdo Matheson walk in and quietly
+take their seats. They remembered, many of them, how at a recent similar
+gathering these gentlemen had advised a procedure which, if followed,
+would have undoubtedly prevented the disasters of the previous night.
+
+Giving a brief account of the proceedings of the meeting to the present
+point, the Mayor suggested that Dr. Templeton might offer them a word of
+advice.
+
+Courteously thanking the Mayor for his invitation, the Doctor said:
+
+"As I came in this room, I caught the words of my young friend, who
+suggested a committee for the preservation of public order. May I
+suggested that the preservation of public order in the community is
+something that can be entrusted to no committee? It rests with the whole
+community. We have all made mistakes, we are constantly making mistakes.
+We have yielded to passion, and always to our sorrow and hurt. We have
+vainly imagined that by the exercise of force we can settle strife.
+No question of right or justice is settled by fighting, for, after the
+fighting is done, the matter in dispute remains to be settled. We have
+tried that way and to-day we are fronted with disastrous failure. I
+have come from a home over which the shadow of death hangs low. There a
+father and mother lie prostrate with sorrow, agonising for the life of
+their child. But a deeper shadow lies there, a shadow of sin, for the
+sting of death is sin. A brother torn with self-condemnation, his heart
+broken with grief for his sister, who loved him better than her own
+life, lies under that shadow of sin. But, gentlemen, can any of us
+escape from that shadow? Do we not all share in that sin? For we all
+have a part in the determining of our environment. Can we not, by God's
+grace, lift that shadow at least from our lives? Let us turn our faces
+from the path of strife toward the path of peace, for the pathway of
+right doing and of brotherly kindness is the only path to peace in this
+world."
+
+The Chairman then called upon the Reverend Murdo Matheson to express
+his mind. But at this point, the whole audience were galvanised into an
+intensity of confused emotion by the entrance of the Executive of the
+Allied Unions, led by McNish himself. Simmons alone was absent, being
+at that moment, with some half dozen others, in the care of the police.
+Silently the Executive Committee walked to the front and found seats,
+McNish alone remaining standing. Grey, gaunt, hollow-eyed, he met with
+steady gaze the eyes of the audience, some of them aflame with hostile
+wrath, for in him they recognised the responsible head of the labour
+movement that had wrought such disaster and grief in the community.
+
+Without apology or preface McNish began: "I am here seeking peace," he
+said, in his hoarse, hard, guttural voice. "I have made mistakes. Would
+I could suffer for them alone, but no, others must suffer with me. I
+have only condemnation for the outrages of last night. We repudiate
+them, we lament them. We tried to prevent them, but human passion and
+circumstances were too strong for us. We would undo the ill--would to
+God could undo the ill. How gladly would I suffer all that has come to
+others." His deep, harsh voice shook under the stress of his emotion.
+He lifted his head: "I cannot deny my cause," he continued, his voice
+ringing out clear. "Our cause was right, but the spirit was wrong." He
+paused a few moments, evidently gathering strength to hold his voice
+steady. "Yes, the spirit was wrong and this day is a black day to me. We
+come to ask for peace. God knows I have no heart for war."
+
+Again he paused, his strong stern face working strangely under the
+stress of the emotions which he was fighting to subdue. "We suggest a
+committee of three, with powers to arbitrate, and we name as our man one
+who till recently was one of our Union, a man of fair and honest mind,
+a man without fear and with a heart for his comrades. Our man is Captain
+Maitland."
+
+His words, and especially the name of the representative of the labour
+unions produced an overwhelming effect upon the audience. No sooner had
+he finished than the Reverend Murdo Matheson took the floor. He spoke no
+economics. He offered no elaborate argument for peace. In plain, simple
+words he told of experiences through which he had recently passed:
+
+"Like one whom I feel it an honour to call my father," he began, bowing
+toward Dr. Templeton, "I, too, have made a visit this morning. Not to
+a home, but to a place the most unlike a home of any spot in this sad
+world, a jail. Seven of our fellow-citizens are confined there, six
+of them boys, mere boys, dazed and penetrated with sorrow for their
+folly--they meant no crime--I am not relieving them of the blame--the
+other, a man, embittered with a long, hard fight against poverty,
+injustice and cruel circumstance in another land, with distorted views
+of life, crazed by drink, committed a crime which this morning fills him
+with horror and grief. Late last night I was sent to the home of one of
+my people. There I found an aged lady, carrying with a brave heart the
+sorrows and burdens of nearly seventy years, waiting in anxiety and
+grief and fear for her son, who was keeping vigil at what may well be
+the deathbed of the girl he loves. You have just heard his plea for
+peace. Some of you are inclined to lay the blame for the ills that have
+fallen upon us upon certain classes and individuals in this community.
+They have their blame and they must bear the responsibility. But,
+gentlemen, a juster estimate of the causes of these ills will convince
+us that they are the product of our civilisation and for these things
+we must all accept our share of responsibility. More, we must seek to
+remove them from among us. They are an affront to our intelligence, an
+insult to our holy religion, an outrage upon the love of our brother man
+and our Father, God. Let us humbly, resolutely seek the better way,
+the way we have set before us this morning, the way of right doing, of
+brotherly kindness and of brotherly love which is the way of peace."
+
+It was a subdued company of men that listened to his appeal. In silence
+they sat looking straight before them with faces grave and frowning, as
+is the way with men of our race when deeply stirred.
+
+It was a morning of dramatic surprises, but none were so startling, none
+so dramatic as the speech of McGinnis that followed.
+
+"This is a day for confessions," he said, "and I am here to make one for
+myself. I have been a fighter, too much of a fighter, all my life, and
+I have often suffered for it. I suffered a heavy loss last night and
+to-day I am sick of fighting. But I have found this: that you can't
+fight men in this world without fighting women and children, too. God
+knows I have no war with the old, grey-haired lady the Padre has just
+told us about. I have no war with that broken-hearted father and mother.
+And I have no war with Annette Perrotte, dear girl, God preserve her."
+At this point, McGinnis's command quite forsook him. His voice utterly
+broke down, while the tears ran down his rugged fighting face. "I am
+done with fighting," he cried. "They have named Captain Maitland. We
+know him for a straight man and a white man. Let me talk with Captain
+Jack Maitland, and let us get together with the Padre there," pointing
+to the Reverend Murdo Matheson, "and in an hour we will settle this
+matter."
+
+In a tumult of approval the suggestion was accepted. It was considered
+a perfectly fitting thing, though afterwards men spoke of it with
+something of wonder, that the Mayor should have called upon the Reverend
+Doctor to close the meeting with prayer, and that he should do so
+without making a speech.
+
+That same afternoon the three men met to consider the matter submitted
+to them. Captain Jack Maitland laid before the committee his figures and
+his charts setting forth the facts in regard to the cost of living and
+the wage scale during the past five years. In less than an hour they
+had agreed upon a settlement. There was to be an increase of wages in
+keeping with the rise of the cost of living, with the pledge that the
+wage scale should follow the curb of the cost of living should any
+change occur within the year. The hours of labour were shortened from
+ten to nine for a day's work, with the pledge that they should be
+governed by the effect of the change upon production and general
+conditions. And further, that a Committee of Reference should be
+appointed for each shop and craft, to which all differences should be
+submitted. To this committee also were referred the other demands by the
+Allied Unions.
+
+It was a simple solution of the difficulty and upon its submission to
+the public meeting called for its consideration, it was felt that the
+comment of the irrepressible Victor Forsythe was not entirely unfitting:
+
+"Of course!" said Victor, cheerfully. "It is the only thing. Why didn't
+the Johnnies think of it before, or why didn't they ask me?"
+
+The committee, however, did more than settle the dispute immediately
+before them. They laid before the public meeting and obtained its
+approval for the creation of a General Board of Industry, under whose
+guidance the whole question of the industrial life of the community
+should be submitted to intelligent study and control.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+SHALL BE GIVEN
+
+
+For one long week of seven long days and seven long nights Annette
+fought out her gallant fight for life, fought and won. Throughout the
+week at her side Adrien waited day and night, except for a few hours
+snatched for rest, when Patricia took her place, for there was not a
+nurse to be had in all that time and Patricia begged for the privilege
+of sharing her vigil with her.
+
+Every day and in the darkest days all day long, it seemed to Adrien,
+McNish haunted the Maitland home--for he had abandoned all pretence of
+work--his gaunt, grey face and hollow eyes imploring a word of hope.
+
+But it was chiefly to Jack throughout that week that Adrien's heart
+went out in compassionate pity, for in his face there dwelt a misery so
+complete, so voiceless that no comfort of hers appeared to be able to
+bring relief. Often through those days did Annette ask to see him, but
+the old doctor was relentless. There must be absolute quiet and utter
+absence of all excitement. No visitors were to be permitted, especially
+no men visitors.
+
+But the day came when the ban was lifted and with smiling face, Adrien
+came for Jack.
+
+"You have been such a good boy," she cried gaily, "that I am going to
+give you a great treat. You are to come in with me."
+
+With face all alight Jack followed her into the sick room.
+
+"Here he is, Annette," cried Adrien. "Now, remember, no fussing,
+no excitement, and just one quarter of an hour--or perhaps a little
+longer," she added.
+
+For a moment or two Jack stood looking at the girl lying upon the bed.
+
+"Oh, Annette, my dear, dear girl," he cried in a breaking voice as he
+knelt down by her side and took her hand in his.
+
+So much reached Adrien's ears as she closed the door and passed to her
+room with step weary and lifeless.
+
+"Why, Adrien," cried her sister, who was waiting to relieve her, "you
+are like a ghost! You poor dear. You are horribly done out."
+
+"I believe I am, Patricia," said Adrien. "I believe I shall rest
+awhile." She lay down on the bed, her face turned toward the wall, and
+so remained till Patricia went softly away, leaving her, as she thought,
+to sleep.
+
+Downstairs Patricia found Victor Forsythe awaiting her.
+
+"Poor Adrien is really used up," she said. "She has a deathly look in
+her face. Just the same look as she had that night of the hockey match.
+Do you remember?"
+
+"The night of the hockey dance? Do I remember? A ghastly night--a horrid
+night--a night of unspeakable wretchedness."
+
+As Vic was speaking, Patricia kept her eyes steadily upon him with a
+pondering, puzzled look.
+
+"What is it, Patricia? I know you want to ask me something. Is it about
+that night?"
+
+"I wonder if you would really mind very much, Vic, if I asked you?"
+
+"Not in the very least. I shall doubtless enjoy it after it's out.
+Painless dentistry effect. Go to it, Patsy."
+
+"It is very serious, Vic. I always think people in books are so stupid.
+They come near to the truth and then just miss getting it."
+
+"The truth. Ah! Go on, Pat."
+
+"Well, Vic," said Patricia with an air of one taking a desperate
+venture, "why did you not give Adrien her note that night? It would have
+saved her and me such pain. I cried all night long. I had so counted
+on a dance with Jack--and then never a word from him. But he did send a
+note. He told me so. I never told Adrien that, for she forbade me, oh,
+so terribly, never to speak of it again. Why didn't you give her or me
+the note, Vic?" Patricia's voice was very pathetic and her eyes very
+gentle but very piercing.
+
+All the laughter died out of Victor's face. "Pat, I lied to you once,
+only once, and that lie has cost me many an hour's misery. But now
+I shall tell you the truth and the whole truth." And he proceeded to
+recount the tribulations which he endured on the night of the hockey
+dance. "I did it to help you both out, Pat. I thought I could make it
+easy for you. It was all a sheer guess, but it turned out to be pretty
+well right."
+
+Patricia nodded her head. "But you received no note?"
+
+"Not a scrap, Patricia, so help me. Not a scrap. Patricia, you believe
+me?"
+
+The girl looked straight into Vic's honest eyes. "Yes, Vic," she said,
+"I believe you. But Jack sent a note."
+
+Vic sprang to his feet. "Good-bye, Watson. You shall hear from me within
+an hour."
+
+"Whatever do you mean? Where are you going?"
+
+"Dear lady, ask no questions. I am about to Sherlock. Farewell."
+
+At the door he overtook Jack. "Aha! The first link in the chain. Hello,
+old chap, a word with you. May I get into your car?"
+
+"Certainly. Get in."
+
+"Now then, about that note. Nothing like diplomacy. The night of the
+hockey dance you sent a note to a lady?"
+
+Jack glanced at him in amazement.
+
+"Don't be an ass, Vic. I don't feel like that stuff just now."
+
+"This is serious. Did you send a note by me that night of the hockey
+dance?"
+
+"By you? No. Who said I did?"
+
+"Aha! The mystery deepens. By whom? Nothing like finesse."
+
+"It is none of your business," said Jack crossly.
+
+"Check," cried Vic.
+
+"What are you talking about, anyway?" inquired Jack.
+
+"A note was sent by you," said Vic impressively, "through some agency at
+present unknown. So far, so good."
+
+"Unknown? What rubbish. I sent a note by Sam Wigglesworth, who gave it
+to some of you for Adrien. What about it?"
+
+As they approached the entrance to the Maitland Mills Vic saw a stream
+of employees issue from the gate.
+
+"Nothing more at present," he said. "This is my corner. Let me out. I am
+in an awful hurry, Jack."
+
+"Will you tell me, please, what all this means?" said Jack angrily.
+
+"Sorry, old chap. Awfully hurried just now. See you later."
+
+"You are a vast idiot," grumbled Jack, as Vic ran down the street.
+
+He took his place at the corner which commanded the entrance to
+the Maitland works. "Here I shall wait, abstractedly gazing at the
+passers-by, until the unhappy Sam makes his appearance," mused Vic to
+himself. "And by the powers, here Sam is now."
+
+From among the employees as they poured from the gate Victor pounced
+upon his victim and bore him away down a side street.
+
+"Sam," he said, "it may be you are about to die, so tell me the truth.
+I hate to take your young life." Sam grinned at his captor, unafraid.
+"Cast your mind back to the occasion of the hockey dance. You remember
+that?"
+
+"You bet I do, Mister. I made a dollar that night."
+
+"Ah! A dollar. Yes, you did, for delivering a note given you by Captain
+Jack Maitland," hissed Vic, gripping his arm.
+
+"Huh-huh," said Sam. "Look out, Mister, that's me."
+
+"Villain!" cried Vic. "Boy, I mean. Now, Sam, did you deliver that
+note?"
+
+"Of course I did. Didn't Captain Jack give me a dollar for it? I didn't
+want his dollar."
+
+"The last question, Sam," said Vic solemnly, "to whom did you deliver
+the note?"
+
+"To that chap, the son of the storekeeper."
+
+"Rupert Stillwell?" suggested Vic.
+
+"Huh-huh, that's his name. That's him now," cried Sam. "In that Hudson
+car--see--there--quick!"
+
+"Boy," said Vic solemnly, "you have saved your life. Here's a dollar.
+Now, remember, not a word about this."
+
+"All right, sir," grinned Sam delightedly, as he made off down the
+street.
+
+"Now then, what?" said Vic to himself. "This thing has got past the joke
+stage. I must do some thinking. Shall I tell Pat or not? By Jove, by
+Jove, that's not the question. When that young lady gets those big eyes
+of hers on me the truth will flow in a limpid stream. I must make sure
+of my ground. Meantime I shall do the Kamerad act."
+
+That afternoon Annette had another visitor. Her nurse, though somewhat
+dubious as to the wisdom of this indulgence, could not bring herself to
+refuse her request that McNish should be allowed to see her.
+
+"But you must be tired. Didn't Jack tire you?" inquired Adrien.
+
+A soft and tender light stole into the girl's dark eyes.
+
+"Ah, Jack. He could not tire me," she murmured. "He makes so much of
+what I did. How gladly would I do it again. Jack is wonderful to me.
+Wonderful to me," she repeated softly. Her lip trembled and she lay back
+upon her pillow and from her closed eyes two tears ran down her cheek.
+
+"Now," said Adrien briskly, "you are too tired. We shall wait till
+to-morrow."
+
+"No, no, please," cried Annette. "Jack didn't tire me. He comforts me."
+
+"But Malcolm will tire you," said Adrien. "Do you really want to see
+him?"
+
+A faint colour came up into the beautiful face of her patient.
+
+"Yes, Adrien, I really want to see him. I am sure he will do me good.
+You will let him come, please?" The dark eyes were shining with another
+light, more wistful, more tender.
+
+"Is he here, Adrien?"
+
+"Is he here?" echoed Adrien scornfully. "Has he been anywhere else the
+last seven days?"
+
+"Poor Malcolm," said the girl, the tenderness in her voice becoming
+protective. "I have been very bad to him, and he loves me so. Oh, he is
+just mad about me!" A little smile stole round the corners of her mouth.
+
+"Oh, you needn't tell me that, Annette," said Adrien. "It is easy for
+you to make men mad about you."
+
+"Not many," said the girl, still softly smiling.
+
+McNish went toward the door of the sick room as if approaching a holy
+shrine, walking softly and reverently.
+
+"Go in, lucky man," said Adrien. "Go in, and thank God for your good
+fortune."
+
+He paused at the door, turned about and looked at her with grave eyes.
+"Miss Templeton," he said in slow, reverent tones, "all my life shall I
+thank God for His great mercy tae me."
+
+"Don't keep her waiting, man," said Adrien, waving him in. Then McNish
+went in and she closed the door softly upon them.
+
+"There are only a few great moments given to men," she said, "and this
+is one of them for those two happy people."
+
+In ten days Annette was pronounced quite fit to return to her family.
+But Patricia resolved that they should have a grand fete in the Maitland
+home before Annette should leave it. She planned a motor drive in the
+cool of the day, and in the evening all their special friends who had
+been brought together through the tragic events of the past weeks should
+come to bring congratulations and mutual felicitations for the recovery
+of the patient.
+
+Patricia was arranging the guest list, in collaboration with Mr.
+Maitland and the assistance of Annette and Victor.
+
+"We will have our boys, of course," she began.
+
+"Old and young, I hope?" suggested Mr. Maitland.
+
+"Of course!" she cried. "Although I don't know any old ones. That will
+mean all the fathers and Vic, Jack, Hugh and Rupert, and Malcolm--"
+
+"Ah! It has come to Malcolm, then?" murmured Vic. "Certainly, why not?
+He loves me to call him Malcolm. And then we will have Mr. Matheson. And
+we must have Mr. McGinnis--they have become such great friends. And I
+should like to have the Mayor, he is so funny. But perhaps he wouldn't
+fit. He DOES take up a lot of attention."
+
+"Cut him out!" said Victor with decision.
+
+"And for ladies," continued Patricia, "just the relatives--all the
+mothers and the sisters. That's enough."
+
+"How lovely!" murmured Vic.
+
+"Oh, if you want any other ladies, Vic," said Patricia severely, "we
+shall be delighted to invite them for you."
+
+"Me? Other ladies? What could I do with other ladies? Is not my young
+life one long problem as it is? Ah! Speaking of problems, that reminds
+me. I have a communication to make to you young lady." Vic's manner
+suggested a profound and deadly mystery. He led Patricia away from the
+others. "I have something to tell you, Patricia," he said, abandoning
+all badinage. "I hate to do it but it is right for you, for myself, for
+Adrien, and by Jove for poor old Jack, too. Though, perhaps--well, let
+that go."
+
+"Oh, Vic!" cried Patricia. "It is about the note!"
+
+"Yes, Patricia. That note was given by Jack to Sam Wigglesworth, who
+gave it to Rupert Stillwell."
+
+"And he forgot?" gasped Patricia.
+
+"Ah--ah--at least, he didn't deliver it. No, Patricia, we are telling
+the whole truth. He didn't forget. You remember he asked about Jack.
+There, I have given you all I know. Make of it what you like."
+
+"Shall I tell Adrien?" asked Patricia.
+
+"I think certainly Adrien ought to know."
+
+"Then I'll tell her to-night," said Patricia. "I want it all over before
+our fete, which is day after to-morrow."
+
+Rupert Stillwell had been in almost daily attendance upon Adrien during
+the past two weeks, calling for her almost every afternoon with his car.
+The day following he came for her according to his custom. Upon Adrien's
+face there dwelt a gentle, tender, happy look as if her heart were
+singing for very joy. That look upon her face drove from Rupert all the
+hesitation and fear which had fallen upon him during these days of her
+ministry to the wounded girl. He took a sudden and desperate resolve
+that he would put his fate to the test.
+
+Adrien's answer was short and decisive.
+
+"No, Rupert," she said. "I cannot. I thought for a little while, long
+ago, that perhaps I might, but now I know that I never could have loved
+you."
+
+"You were thinking of that note of Jack Maitland's which I sent you last
+night?"
+
+"Oh, no," she said gently. "Not that."
+
+"I felt awfully mean about that, Adrien. I feel mean still. I thought
+that as you had learned all about it from Victor, it was of no
+importance."
+
+"Yes," she replied gently, "but I was the best judge of that."
+
+"Adrien, tell me," Rupert's voice shook with the intensity of his
+passion, "is there no hope?"
+
+"No," she said, "there is no hope, Rupert."
+
+"There is someone else," he said, savagely.
+
+"Yes," she said, happily, "I think so."
+
+"Someone," continued Rupert, his voice trembling with rage, "someone who
+distributes his affections."
+
+"No," she said, a happy smile in her eyes, "I think not."
+
+"You love him?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, yes," she whispered, with a little catch in her breath, "I love
+him."
+
+At the door on their return Jack met them. A shadow fell upon his face,
+but with a quick resolve, he shouted a loud welcome to them.
+
+"Hello, Adrien," he cried, as she came running up the steps. "You
+apparently have had a lovely drive."
+
+"Oh, wonderful, Jack. A wonderful drive," she replied.
+
+"Yes, you do look happy."
+
+"Oh, so happy. I was never so happy."
+
+"Then," said Jack, dropping his voice, "may I congratulate you?"
+
+"Yes, I think so," she said. "I hope so." And then laughed aloud for
+very glee.
+
+Jack turned from her with a quick sharp movement, went down the steps
+and offering his hand to Rupert, said:
+
+"Good luck, old chap. I wish you good luck."
+
+"Eh? What? Oh, all right," said Rupert in a dazed sort of way. But he
+didn't come into the house.
+
+Never was there such a day in June, never such a fete. The park never
+looked so lovely and never a party so gay disported themselves in it
+and gayest of them all was Adrien. All day long it seemed as if her very
+soul were laughing for joy. And all day long she kept close beside
+Jack, chaffing him, laughing at him, rallying him on his solemn face and
+driving him half-mad with her gay witchery.
+
+Then home they all came to supper, where waited them McNish and his
+mother with Mr. McGinnis, for they had been unable to join in the motor
+drive.
+
+"Ma certie, lassie! But ye're a sight for sare een. What hae ye bin
+daein tae her, Mr. Jack," said Mrs. McNish, as she welcomed them at the
+door.
+
+"The Lord only knows," said Jack.
+
+"But, man, look at her!" exclaimed the old lady.
+
+"I have been, all day long," replied Jack with a gallant attempt at
+gaiety.
+
+"Oh, Mrs. McNish," cried the girl, rippling with joyous laughter,
+"he won't even look at me. He just--what do you say--glowers, that's
+it--glowers at me. And we have had such a wonderful day. Come, Jack, get
+yourself ready for supper. You have only a few minutes."
+
+She caught her arm through his and laughing shamelessly into his eyes,
+drew him away.
+
+"I say, Adrien," said Jack, driven finally to desperation and drawing
+her into the quiet of the library, "I am awfully glad you are so happy
+and all that, but I don't see the necessity of rubbing it into a fellow.
+You know how I feel. I am glad for you and--I am glad for Rupert. Or, at
+least I told him so."
+
+"But, Jack," said the girl, her eyes burning with a deep inner glow,
+"Rupert has nothing to do with it. Rupert, indeed," and she laughed
+scornfully. "Oh, Jack, why can't you see?"
+
+"See what?" he said crossly.
+
+"Jack," she said softly, turning toward him and standing very near him,
+"you remember the note you sent me?"
+
+"Note?"
+
+"The note you sent the night of the hockey dance?"
+
+"Yes," said Jack bitterly, "I remember."
+
+"And you remember, too, how horrid I was to you the next time I saw you?
+How horrid? Oh, Jack, it broke my heart." Her voice faltered a moment
+and her shining eyes grew dim. "I was so horrid to you."
+
+"Oh, no," said Jack coolly, "you were kind. You were very kind and
+sisterly, as I remember."
+
+"Jack," she said and her breath began to come hurriedly, "I got that
+note yesterday. Only yesterday, Jack."
+
+"Yesterday?"
+
+"Yes, only yesterday. And I read it, Jack," she added with a happy
+laugh. "And in that note, Jack, you said--do you remember--"
+
+But Jack stood gazing stupidly at her. She pulled the note from her
+bosom.
+
+"Oh, Jack, you said--"
+
+Still Jack gazed at her.
+
+"Jack, you will kill me. Won't you hurry? Oh, I can't wait a moment
+longer. You said you were going to tell me something, Jack." She stood
+radiant, breathless and madly alluring. "And oh, Jack, won't you tell
+me?"
+
+"Adrien," said Jack, his voice husky and uncontrolled. "Do you mean that
+you--"
+
+"Oh, Jack, tell me quick," she said, swaying toward him. And while she
+clung to him taking his kisses on her lips, Jack told her.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of To Him That Hath, by Ralph Connor
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TO HIM THAT HATH ***
+
+***** This file should be named 3244.txt or 3244.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/4/3244/
+
+Produced by Donald Lainson
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.