“What are you talking about?” he said. “What had Miss Brewster to do with it?”
He said “Miss Brewster” with a meaning emphasis of respect, and Dennison was quick to adopt the hint.
“Oh, nothing,” he replied, uneasily, “only she talked with them.”
“You mean that Miss Brewster talked to the men?”
“Yes; she said a good deal yesterday, and to-day the men would not have struck if it had not been for her. It only needs a spark to set them off sometimes.”
Robert was very pale. “Well,” he said, coolly, “there is no need for you to remain longer, since the factory is shut down. You may as well go.”
“The engineer is seeing to the fires, Mr. Lloyd,” said Dennison.
“Very well.” Robert turned to the girl at the desk. “The factory is closed, Miss Stone,” he said; “there is no need for you to remain longer to-day. Come to-morrow at ten o'clock, and I will have something for you to do with regard to settling up accounts. There is nothing in shape now.”
That afternoon Robert went to see Ellen. He could not wait until evening.
Fanny greeted him at the door, and there was the inevitable flurry about lighting the parlor stove, and presently Ellen entered.