Her husband looked at her evenly. "There has never been any insanity in either side of the family, or I would think Pelham came by this naturally."
"He isn't a fool, Paul."
"Where does he think this will end? It's bad enough when we are united against the perpetual unrest of the ignorant mob. But to have my son turn against all that his ancestors fought for!"
Mary watched him thoughtfully. "You two cannot pull together, Paul. Why not help him get somewhere else?"
"You mean——"
"You mentioned that Governor Tennant wanted to do you a favor, and suggested Pell as mining inspector, or something. Wouldn't that straighten out this situation?"
Paul looked at her doubtfully. "One of us has to make the break. Of course, he'll make trouble wherever he is. But he is my son. A thing like that might make him behave."
Finishing his coffee, he pushed his chair back raspingly over the hardwood floor. Over in the boys' wing he called Ned. "Will you tell Pelham I would like to speak to him?"
Father and eldest son walked quietly out over the untouched portion of the outcrop before the house. "You don't want me to discuss with you the unusual line of activity you have taken up, Pelham...."
"It is only fair to tell you, father, that I have joined the socialist party."