on that was on her lips--the
next logical question after his answer that the company could not
afford to cut the hours lower than fourteen or to raise wages to what
was necessary for a man to have if he and his family were to live, not
in decency and comfort, but in something less than squalor. She did
not put the question because she wished to spare her father--to spare
herself the shame of hearing his tricky answer--to spare herself the
discomfort of squarely facing a nasty truth.

Instead she said: "I understand. And you have got to look out for the
rights of the people who have invested their money."

"If I didn't I'd be cheating them," said Hastings. "And if the men
don't like their jobs, why, they can quit and get jobs they do like."
He added, in absolute unconsciousness of his inconsistency, in absolute
belief in his own honesty and goodness, "The truth is our company pays
as high wages as can be got anywhere. As for them hours--when _I_ was
working my way up, _I_ used to put in sixteen and eighteen hours a day,
and was mighty glad to do it. This lazy talk of cutting down hours
makes me sick. And these fellows that're always kicking on their jobs,
I'd like to know what'd become of them and their families if I and men
like me didn't provide work for 'em."

"Yes, indeed!" cried Jane, eagerly seizing upon this attractive view of
the situation--and resolutely accepting it without question.

In came one of the maids, saying: "There's a man wants to see you, Mr.
Hastings."

"What's his name? What does he want?" inquired Hastings, while Jane
made a mental note that she must try to inject at least a little order
and form into the manners of announcing visitors.

"He didn't give a name. He just said, 'Tell the old man I want to see
him.' I ain't sure, but I think it's Dick Kelly."

As Lizzie was an ardent Democrat, she spoke the name
contemptuously--for Dick Kelly was the Republican boss. If it had been
House, the Democratic boss and Kelly's secret dependent and henchman,
she would have said "Mr. Joseph House" in a tone of deep respect.

"Kelly," said Hastings. "Must be something important or he'd 'a
telephoned or asked me to see him at my office or at the Lincoln Club.
He never came out here before. Bring him in, Lizzie."

A moment and there appeared in the doorway a man of perhaps forty years
who looked like a prosperous contractor who had risen from the ranks.
His figure was notable for its soli