ame suddenly into
the shop.

The foreman spoke of some new wood for roller turning.

"It should be here this week," he said. "I told them we were running
short. You may expect a good batch of plane and beech by Thursday."

They discussed the work of Roberts and presently turned to the paramount
question in every mind at the Mill. All naturally desired to know when
Raymond Ironsyde would make his appearance and what would happen when he
did so; but while some, having regard for his conduct, felt he would not
dare to appear again himself, others believed that one so insensible to
honesty and decency would be indifferent to all opinions entertained of
him. Such suspected that the criticisms of Bridetown would be too
unimportant to trouble the new master.

And it seemed that they were right, for now came Ernest Churchouse
seeking Mr. Best. He looked into the turning-shop, saw John and entered.

"He's coming next week, but perhaps you know it," he began. "And if you
haven't heard, be sure you will at any moment."

"Then our fate is in store," declared Nicholas. "Some hope nothing, but,
seeing that with all his faults he's a sportsman, I do hope a bit.
There's plenty beside me who remember his words very well, and they
pointed to an all-around rise for men and women alike."

"There was a rumour of violence against him. You don't apprehend
anything of that sort, I hope?" asked Ernest of Best.

"A few--more women than men--had a plot, I believe, but I haven't heard
any more about it. Baggs is the ringleader; but if there was any talk of
raising the money, he'd find himself deserted. He's very bitter just
now, however, and as he's got the pleasant experience of being right for
once, you may be sure he's making the most of it."

"I'll see him," said Mr. Churchouse. "I always find him the most
difficult character possible; but he must know that to answer violence
with violence is vain. Patience may yet find the solution. I have by no
means given up hope that right will be done."

"Come and tell Levi, then. Him and me are out for the moment, because I
won't join him in calling down evil on Mister Ironsyde's head. But
what's the sense of losing your temper in other people's quarrels?
Better keep it for your own, I say."

They found Levi Baggs grumbling to himself over a mass of badly scutched
flax; but when he heard that Raymond Ironsyde was coming, he grew
philosophic.

"If we could only learn from what we work in," h