"Why now more than ever before?" she asked.
"It's in the air. There's a change coming over business, and you feel it the same as you feel a shift in the wind. It's harder work fighting to live now than ever before, and it can't go on like this forever. The big dog will eat up the rest."
"And you think Strauss is our big dog?" she asked with a smile.
I saw then where she had led me, but it was too late to be less frank.
"Yes," I answered, looking her in the eyes.
"Then how should one keep out of his jaws?" she went on, playing with her fan.
"Well, you can always get out of a scrap and stay out—or—" I hesitated.
"Put up such a fight that the big fellow will give you good terms to get rid of you!"
"I see. You have given me something to think about, Mr. Harrington."