"The invention is going very well, sir. But it is not of that I wish to speak."
"Have you joined the union, then?" asked Bennington, with a shade of irony which did not escape the keen-eyed Englishman.
"No!" This was not spoken; it was more like a shout. "I have joined no union, and my brain may rot before I do. The truth is, sir, I hear that if the men go out you'll tear down the shops." He hesitated.
"Go on."
"Well, I do not want this to happen on my account. I am young; I can wait; I'll take my tinkering elsewhere. You've been very good to me sir, and I should hate to see you troubled."
"Chittenden, you can't leave me now. If you do, I shall never forgive you. You are a valuable piece of property just now. You are to be my test case, as the lawyers say. If you go now the men will think I weakened and forced you out. You gave me your word that you would stay here till I told you to go."
"There's nothing more to be said, sir. You may depend upon me."
"Thanks. The day you perfect your machine, on that day I shall find the capital to promote it. Good morning."
"The committee was coming up after me, sir," was the reply.
"Ah!" Bennington's eyes flashed. "Then remain to hear what I have to say to them."