‘You have met Mr. Mutimer?
‘Once. My brother made his acquaintance, and he called on us.’
‘Did he explain his scheme to you in detail?’
‘Not himself. Alfred has told me all about it. He, of course, is delighted with it; he has joined what he calls the Union.’
‘Are you going to join?’ Hubert asked, smiling.
‘I? I doubt whether they would have me.’
She laughed silverly, her throat tremulous, like that of a bird that sings. How significant the laugh was! the music of how pure a freshet of life!
‘All the members, I presume,’ said Hubert, ‘are to be speedily enriched from the Wanley Mines and Iron Works?’
It was jokingly uttered, but Adela replied with some earnestness, as if to remove a false impression.
‘Oh, that is quite a mistake. Mr. Eldon. There is no question of anyone being enriched, least of all Mr. Mutimer himself. The workmen will receive just payment, not mere starvation wages, but whatever profit there is will be devoted to the propaganda.’