hing.

"Well, maybe you're right," said Lee to Joy. "Look here," he
continued to Abby, "you and Ellen come along here a little ways, and
I'll tell you."

After Maria and Mamie had passed on, Joy and Jones and Lee, standing
close to the two girls, began to talk, Lee leading.

"Well, look here," he said, in a hushed voice. "We've found out--no
matter how, but we've found out--that the boss is goin' to dock the
lasters' pay."

"How much?" asked Abby.

"Fifteen per cent."

"Good Lord!" said Abby.

"We ain't going to stand it," said Lee.

"I don't see how we can stand it," said Willy Jones, with a slightly
interrogative tone directed towards Abby. Granville looked at Ellen.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Perfectly sure," replied Granville. "What do you think about it,
Ellen?"

"What are you going to do?" asked Ellen, thoughtfully.

"Strike for fifteen per cent. more before he has a chance to dock
us," cried Lee, with a hushed vehemence, looking about warily to
make sure that no one overheard.

"The worst of it is, I know it all comes from Nahum Beals, and he's
half cracked," said Abby, bluntly.

"He's got the right of it, anyhow," said Lee.

The two girls walked on, while the men lingered behind to talk.

"Do you suppose it is true, Abby?" asked Ellen.

"I don't know. I should, if it wasn't for that Lee fellow. I can't
bear him. And that Nahum Beals, I believe he's half mad."

"I feel the same way about him," said Ellen; "but think what it
would mean, fifteen per cent. less on their wages."

"It doesn't mean so much for those young fellows, except Willy
Jones; he's got enough on his shoulders."

"No, but ever so many of the lasters have large families."

"I hope they don't drag Willy Jones into it," said Abby. She looked
back as she spoke. Willy, in the little knot of men, was looking
after her, and their eyes met. Abby colored.

"It's a shame to dock his wages," she said.

"Whose--Willy Jones's?"

"Yes. I hope he won't get into any trouble. I can't bear that Lee."

"Still, to dock their wages fifteen per cent.," said Ellen,
thoughtfully.

"What right has Mr. Lloyd?"

"I suppose he'd say he has the right because he has the capital."

"I don't see why that gives him the right."

"You'd better go and talk to him," said Abby. "As for me, I made up
my mind when I went to work in the shop that I'd got to be a
bond-slave, all but my soul. That can kick free, thank the Lord."

"I didn't make