he really means to stand out," she said, "wouldn't it hurt us
for you to go around there?"

"Why?" He was openly smiling now. Then, of a sudden, he looked at her
with a shrewd, close gaze, and repeated, "Why?"

"Maybe I don't understand it." she said nervously. "Max doesn't think I
see things very clearly. But I thought perhaps you would be willing for
me to see him this evening. I could go with Max, and----"

She faltered, when she saw how closely he was watching her, but he
nodded, and said, "Go on."

"Why, I don't know that I could do much, but--no"--she tossed her head
back and looked at him--"I won't say that. If you'll let me go, I'll fix
it. I know I can."

Bannon was thinking partly of her--of her slight, graceful figure that
leaned against the window frame, and of her eyes, usually quiet, but now
snapping with determination--and partly of certain other jobs that had
been imperiled by the efforts of injured workingmen to get heavy
damages. One of the things his experience in railroad and engineering
work had taught him was that men will take every opportunity to bleed a
corporation. No matter how slight the accident, or how temporary in its
effects, the stupidest workman has it in his power to make trouble. It
was frankly not a matter of sentiment to Bannon. He would do all that he
could, would gladly make the man's sickness actually profit him, so far
as money would go; but he did not see justice in the great sums which
the average jury will grant. As he sat there, he recognized what Hilda
had seen at a flash, that this was a case for delicate handling.

She was looking at him, tremendously in earnest, yet all the while
wondering at her own boldness. He slowly nodded.

"You're right," he said. "You're the one to do the talking. I won't ask
you what you're going to say. I guess you understand it as well as
anybody."

"I don't know yet, myself," she answered. "It isn't that, it isn't that
there's something particular to say, but he's a poor man, and they've
been telling him that the company is cheating him and stealing from
him--I wouldn't like it myself, if I were in his place and didn't know
any more than he does. And maybe I can show him that we'll be a good
deal fairer to him before we get through than Mr. Grady will."

"Yes," said Bannon, "I think you can. And if you can keep this out of
the courts I'll write Brown that there's a young lady down here that's
come nearer to earning a big salary than