my knowledge, Mr. Coddington."

"That will do."

Tyler went out.

Again Mr. Coddington rang.

"I will see the men at three o'clock," he said to a messenger.

Left alone the president paced the floor. Business was good. The books
showed a quantity of unfilled orders. It would be an awkward time for a
strike.

"Undoubtedly I could get strike-breakers from Chicago," he murmured
aloud, "but it would take time. Besides, I do not want my men to walk
out. Think of the years many of them have worked here! The town will be
full of idle persons and suffering families. I have never had a strike
in all the history of my business. I've always tried to do what was fair
toward those who were in my employ. That is what cuts--to be square
with your men and then have them meet you with ingratitude. Why, I would
have staked my oath that they would have stood by me. I'm
disappointed--disappointed!"

With such unpleasant reflections as companions three o'clock came none
too speedily for Mr. Coddington. The men were ushered promptly into the
office and the door closed. Then an awkward silence ensued. Nobody knew
exactly whose place it was to speak first.

But if the tanners had expected the president of the company to break
the ice and open the interview they had missed their calculations, for
he did no such thing. He met their gaze firmly, courteously, but
silently.

Peter, who stood at the back of the room behind the older workmen, saw
in his father's face an unaccustomed sternness and felt instinctively
that their mission was destined to failure.

It was Bryant who at last summoned courage to begin the conference.

"Mr. Coddington," he said, "we men have come to you because we wish to
hear the truth concerning a rumor that has reached us. We come
respectfully. You are our chief--the one who, in the past, has always
been fair and square with us. It is because of your justice that we
address you now. Is it true that you propose to take the vacant field
opposite Factory 1 for the site of a new building?"

As Mr. Coddington drew a sigh of relief he inclined his head.

"You have been correctly informed," he assented. "We need more room. The
land is lying idle with a tax to be paid yearly upon it. It seems to me
an economic plan to utilize the space for a new factory in which the
patent leather department may be housed."

"Did you realize, in deciding, that the field you intend to take is the
recreation ground of the men in yo