down-stairs," he said harshly.

"I will not." She tried to keep her voice steady. "I've got to work, if
you haven't. I've got to have my sleep." Her tone rose, hysterically.
"If you think you can stay out half the night, and guzzle beer, and then
come here to get me up, you can think again."

"You are already up," he said, in a voice slowed and thickened by rage.
"You will come down-stairs."

He turned away and descended the creaking stairs again. She listened for
the next move, but he made none. She knew then that he was waiting at
the foot of the stairs.

She was half-maddened with terror by that time, and she ran to the
window. But it was high. Even if she could have dropped out, and before
she could put on enough clothing to escape in, he would be back again,
his rage the greater for the delay. She slipped into a kimono, and her
knees giving way under her she went down the stairs. Herman was waiting.
He moved under the lamp, and she saw that he held the watch, dangling.

"Now!" he said. "Where you got this? Tell me."

"I've told you how I got it."

"That was a lie."

So--Rudolph had told him!

"I like that!" she blustered, trying to gain time. "I guess it's time
they gave me something--I've worked hard enough. They gave them to all
the girls."

"That is a lie also."

"I like that. Telling me I'm lying. You ask Mr. Graham Spencer. He'll
tell you."

"If that is true, why do you shake so?"

"You scare me, father." She burst into frightened tears. "I don't know
what's got into you. I do my best. I give you all I make. I've kept this
house going, and"---she gained a little courage--"I've had darned little
thanks for it."

"You think I believe the mill gave five thousand dollars in watches last
Christmas? To-morrow I go, with this to Mr. Clayton Spencer, not to that
degenerate son of his, and I ask him. Then I shall know."

He turned, as if about to leave her, but the alternative he offered her
was too terrible.

"Father!" she said. "I'll tell you the truth. I bought it myself."

"With what money?"

"I had a raise. I didn't tell you. I had a raise of five dollars a week.
I'm paying for it myself. Honest to heaven, that's right, father."

"So--you have had a raise, and you have not told me?"

"I give all the rest to you. What do I get out of all my hard work? Just
a place to live. No clothes. No fun. No anything. All the other girls
have a good time now and then, but I'm just like a prisoner. You