“But you are taking us entirely away from the question in hand,” said Geoffrey Burnham, “which was, shall we grant the demand for weekly wages?”
“Not so far away as you seem to think,” retorted Villard. “The questions of sanitation and morality affect them, and us too, as well as the question of weekly wages. As for the latter, I am in favor of trying it on.”
“So am I,” said Salome. “I am in favor of trying every new method until we can know positively which are the best ones.”
“With modifications,” said Burnham, smiling at her vehemence. “I don’t exactly approve of the weekly system, but the majority are against me, and I may as well cast my vote with yours. Shall we send for their committee, then, and offer them all concessions, except those relating to the spinning frames?”
“Yes, I should do so,” said Salome, “and prepare to open the mills at once, provided they decide to accept our terms.”
“That is practically decided already,” laughed Burnham, “by our accepting theirs. Villard, you may negotiate with them about the frames. They are inclined to listen to you better than to me, for some reason.”
“They know I’ve been in their place,” said Villard. “That makes all the difference in the world to them. They think I understand their side of the question; that is all.”
“Then you will confer with them immediately?” said Salome, rising to go. “And will you make all necessary preparations to open the mills? And then will you confer with me?”
“Most certainly, Miss Shepard.” Geoffrey Burnham spoke for both of them. “But—I beg your pardon, you have not spoken of a new agent. We must have one, you know. I trust you have made some wise selection?”
“I am prepared to surprise you,” Salome replied, buttoning her glove. “You two men will oblige me by transacting all necessary business for the present, in your positions of first and second superintendents, and by looking closely after the thousand details which I do not yet understand. Meanwhile, I shall come to the office every day and, with your co-operation and kind help, shall learn the business. I have too many schemes for the general improvement of the Shawsheen Mills and its operatives, to trust the mills in the hands of a stranger. I propose to be my own agent. Good-morning.”