"But I—I don't want to," faltered Addie, with a soft blush.
"Hoity-toity!" cried Simeon. "What does that mean?"
"I want him—the strikers, that is—to win."
"Against father?" Piper raised his good-humored eyebrows.
"Oh dear, I wish they were on the same side! I only know I'm fearful. They'll hurt him; I know they will."
"Oh, look here," said Piper, "that's all foolishness! But I'll tell you what: we'll walk down to town and see how things are going."
"Shall we? Oh, how nice you are, Mr. Piper! Come on, then."
And they started.
A great many men were standing about the streets, looking ominous of ill; but as yet no disturbance was made. The mill stood at one end of the street-bridge; and as Piper and Addie came up to it they heard the noise of a crowd approaching around one corner of it. A moment after they had gained the entrance, this crowd, which numbered some twenty-five men, armed with thick sticks and some heavy stones, arrayed itself face to face with them.
"Where do you lot plan on going?" asked Piper, in a leisurely manner.