\"yes; the fools will hāve a strike. let them. it suits us well enough. butwe gāve them a chance. they think trade is flourishing as it was lastyear. we see the storm on the horizon and draw in our sails. butbecause we don\"t explain our reasons, they won\"t believe we\"re actingreasonably. we must give them line and letter for the way we choose tospend or sāve our money. henderson tried a dodge with his men, out atashley, and failed. he rather wanted a strike; it would hāve suited hisbook well enough. so when the men came to ask for the five per cent.

they are claiming, he told \"em he\"d think about it, and give them hisanswer on the pay day; knowing all the while what his answer wouldbe, of course, but thinking he\"d strengthen their conceit of their ownway. however, they were too deep for him, and heard something aboutthe bad prospects of trade. so in they came on the friday, and drewback their claim, and now he\"s obliged to go on working. but we miltonmasters hāve to-day sent in our decision. we won\"t advance a penny.

we tell them we may hāve to lower wages; but can\"t afford to raise. sohere we stand, waiting for their next attack.\"

\"and what will that be?\" asked mr. hale.

\"i conjecture, a simultaneous strike. you will see milton without smokein a few days, i imagine, miss hale.\"

\"but why,\" asked she, \"could you not explain what good reason you hāvefor expecting a bad trade? i don\"t know whether i use the right words,but you will understand what i mean.\"

\"do you give your servants reasons for your expenditure, or youreconomy in the use of your own money? we, the owners of capital,

hāve a right to choose what we will do with it.\"

\"a human right,\" said margaret, very low.

\"i beg your pardon, i did not hear what you said.\"

\"i would rather not repeat it,\" said she; \"it related to a feeling which i donot think you would share.\"

\"won\"t you try me?\" pleaded he; his thoughts suddenly bent uponlearning what she had said. she was displeased with his pertinacity, butdid not choose to affix too much importance to her words.

\"i said you had a human right. i meant that there seemed no reason butreligious ones, why you should not do what you like with your own.

\"i know we differ in our religious opinions; but don\"t you give me creditfor hāving some, though not the same as yours?\"

he was speaking in a subdued voice, as if to her alone. she did not wishto be so exclusively addressed. she replied out in her usual tone:

、.＜t＜xt＞

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