of separation the happiest six weeks he had ever
known. As for Grace, about three o'clock she used to look out for the
postman, and be uneasy and restless if he was late, and, when his knock
came, her heart would bound, and she generally flew upstairs with
the prize, to devour it in secret. She fed her heart full with these
letters, and loved the writer better and better. For once the present
suitor lost ground, and the absent suitor gained it. Mrs. Little divined
as much from Grace's letters and messages to herself; and she said, with
a smile, "You see 'Les absents n'ont pas toujours tort.'"

CHAPTER XXIV.

I must now deal briefly with a distinct vein of incidents, that occurred
between young Little's first becoming a master and the return of the
Cardens from London.

Little, as a master, acted up to the philanthropic theories he had put
forth when a workman.

The wet-grinders in his employ submitted to his improved plates, his
paved and drained floor, and cozy fires, without a murmur or a word of
thanks. By degrees they even found out they were more comfortable than
other persons in their condition, and congratulated themselves upon it.

The dry-grinders consented, some of them, to profit by his improved
fans. Others would not take the trouble to put the fans in gear, and
would rather go on inhaling metal-dust and stone-grit.

Henry reasoned, but in vain; remonstrated, but with little success. Then
he discharged a couple: they retired with mien of martyrs; and their
successors were admitted on a written agreement that left them no
option. The fan triumphed.

The file-cutters were more troublesome; they clung to death and disease,
like limpets to established rocks; they would not try any other bed than
bare lead, and they would not wash at the taps Little had provided, and
they would smuggle in dinners and eat with poisoned hands.

Little reasoned, and remonstrated, but with such very trifling
success, that, at last, he had to put down the iron heel; he gave the
file-cutters a printed card, with warning to leave on one side, and his
reasons on the other.

In twenty-four hours he received a polite remonstrance from the
secretary of the File-Cutters' Union.

He replied that the men could remain, if they would sign an agreement
to forego certain suicidal practices, and to pay fines in case of
disobedience; said fines to be deducted from their earnings.

Then the secretary suggested a conference at the