k about it."

"A wull that. Ye dinna pay yere men enough wages."

"How do you know I don't?" said Mr. Maitland rising from his chair.

"A have examined certain feegures which I shall be glad to submit tae
ye, in regard tae the cost o' leevin' since last ye fixed the wage.
If yere wage was right then, it's wrang the noo." Under the strain Mr.
Maitland's boring eyes and increasing impatience the Doric flavour
of McNish's speech grew richer and more guttural, varying with the
intensity of his emotion.

"And what may these figures be?" enquired Mr. Maitland with a voice of
contempt.

"These are the figures prepared by the Labour Department of your Federal
Government. I suppose they may be relied upon. They show the increased
cost of living during the last five years. You know yeresel' the
increase in wages. Mr. Maitland, I am told ye are a just man, an' we ask
ye tae dae the r-r-right. That's all, sir."

"Thank you for your good opinion, my man. Whether I am a just man or not
is for my own conscience alone. As to the wage question, Mr. Wickes
will tell you, the matter had already been taken up. The result will be
announced in a week or so."

"Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir," said Mr. Wigglesworth. "We felt sure
it would only be necessary to point (h)out the right course to you. I
may say I took the same (h)identical (h)attitude with my fellow workmen.
I sez to them, sez I, 'Mr. Maitland--'

"That will do, Wigglesworth," said Mr. Maitland, cutting him short.
"Have you anything more to say?" he continued, turning to McNish.

"Nothing, sir, except to express the hope that you will reconsider yere
attitude as regards the foreman."

"You may take my word for it, I will not," said Mr. Maitland, snapping
his words off with his teeth.

"At least, as a fair-minded man, you will look into the matter," said
McNish temperately.

"I shall do as I think best," said Mr. Maitland.

"It would be wiser."

"Do you threaten me, sir?" Mr. Maitland leaned over his desk toward the
calm and rugged Scot, his eyes flashing indignation.

"Threaten ye? Na, na, threats are for bairns. Yere no a bairn, but a man
an' a wise man an' a just, A doot. A'm gie'in' ye advice. That's all.
Guid day."

He turned away from the indignant Mr. Maitland, put his hat on his
head and walked from the room, followed by the other members of the
Committee, with the exception of Mr. Wigglesworth who lingered with
evidently pacific intentions.

"This, s