sitting-room.

'I don't want to frighten you,' he said, laying down his bundle. 'You
haven't got to read through all these. I was up nearly all last night
marking pages that I thought you'd better study first of all. And here's
a lot of back numbers of the "Fiery Cross;" I should like you to read
all that's signed by Mr. Westlake; he's the editor, you know.'

'Is there anything here of your own writing?' Adela inquired.

'No, I haven't written anything. I've kept to lecturing; it comes easier
to me. After Christmas I shall have several lectures to give in London.
Perhaps you'll come and hear me?'

'Yes, of course.'

'Then you can get to know Mrs. Westlake, I dare say. She's a lady, you
know, like yourself. There's some poetry by her in the paper; it just
has her initials, "S. W." She's with us heart and soul, as you'll see by
her writing.'

'Is Alice a Socialist?' Adela asked, after glancing fitfully at the
papers.

Richard laughed.

'Oh, she's a princess; it would be too much to expect Socialism of her.
But I dare say she'll be beginning to think more now. I don't mean
she's been thoughtless in the wrong way; it's just a--I can't very well
describe it. But I hope you'll see her to-morrow night May I bring her
to you when she comes?'

'I hope you will.'

'I'm glad your brother won't be here. I only mean, you know, I'd rather
she got accustomed just to you first of all. I dare say she'll be a bit
timid, you won't mind that?'

Adela returned to the graver subject.

'All the people at New Wanley are Socialists?'

'Yes, all of them. They join the Union when they come to work, and we
take a good deal of care in choosing our men.'

'And you pay higher wages than other employers?'

'Not much higher, but the rents of the cottages are very low, and all
the food sold at the store is cost price. No, we don't pretend to make
the men rich. We've had a good lot coming with quite mistaken ideas, and
of course they wouldn't suit us. And you mustn't call me the employer.
All I have I look upon as the property of the Union; the men own it as
much as I do. It's only that I regulate the work, just because somebody
must. We're not making any profits to speak of yet, but that'll only
come in time; whatever remains as clear profit,--and I don't take
anything out of the works myself--goes to the Propaganda fund of the
Union.'

'Please forgive my ignorance. I've heard that word "Propaganda" so
often, but I don't know exa