ing larger and more conspicuous. So it is with each workman in
a factory. He performs his part--often, alas, a small and dull one
too, I am afraid; but viewed from the standpoint of the completed
product that man with his humdrum task is as worthy our respect as is
any other member of the working staff. Without somebody to do
precisely what he is doing we should get no satisfactory result."

"It is just team-work!" put in Theo.

"That's it--team-work; team-work and nothing else. And just as in
athletics some men better adapted for batting, catching, running, and
kicking are singled out for the posts of fielder, shortstop, or
tackle but contribute equally to the game, so it is with the men in a
factory. Some day the world is going to accept that creed and pay to
every human being a living wage; not, perhaps, because what he is
doing is skilled or difficult; but because it is indispensable and we
cannot do without that particular rung in the labor ladder. Some one
must fill that post, and he who does it should be respected and
compensated because he is necessary to civilization and to our
national prosperity."

Mr. Croyden caught his breath and then laughed in confusion.

"The idea of my giving you a lecture on the labor question, Theo," he
said flushing. "I always get hot on the matter, for it is one of my
hobbies. Next time when you hear me getting started just slow me down
and let me cool off. You see it is pretty close to my heart, because
I have been attempting to work out some of its difficult phases here
in my own mills. I am trying to pay to each of my men enough so he can
live decently and contentedly. It does not seem fair to pay them all
alike, since some are skilful enough to do more work, and work that is
more difficult than others. But each should be able to live
comfortably on what he earns. That is my idea of fairness toward the
working man; and that is the scheme that I am trying to carry out
here."

The car stopped abruptly before a great doorway and Mr. Croyden got
out.

"Having heard my views you are now to have a chance to see how
imperfectly my dreams have been realized," he said smiling. "I am far
from satisfied with present conditions in my factory. But every day
we are conscientiously trying to make things better, and some day I
hope we shall reach our goal."

Theo followed him into the hall.

It was interesting to notice that as the man passed along he exchanged
a word or two with ever