FORTY-FIVE TREACHEROUS MEN
Theodore Marrin and the forty-four who went back to work for him:
Every one of you is a traitor to American citizenship.
Let us use blunt words and call a spade a spade.
Theodore Marrin, you have betrayed your employees.
You forty-four men, you have betrayed yourselves and your leader.
And so it went, sharp, incisive, plain-spoken—words that were hot brands and burned.
He was sitting at this task (twice his mother had called him to supper and he had waved her away) when an exquisite black-eyed little woman came in.
"Mr. Blaine?"
"Yes."
"I'm Mrs. Izon."
Joe wheeled about and seized her hand.
"Tell me to do something for you! You and your brave husband!"
Mrs. Izon spoke quietly:
"I came here because Jacob is so worried. He is afraid you will harm yourself for us."
Joe laughed softly.
"Tell him not to worry any longer. It's you who are suffering—not I. I?
I am only having fun."
She was not satisfied.
"We oughtn't to get others mixed up in our troubles."
"It's hard for you, isn't it?" Joe murmured.
"Yes." She smiled sadly. "I suppose it isn't right when you are in the struggle to get married. Not right to the children."
Joe spoke courageously.
"Never you mind, Mrs. Izon—but just wait. Wait three—four days. We'll see!"
They did wait, and they did see.