s in a ferment. The Maitlands can
hardly expect to escape. As a matter of fact, the row has made a little
start, I happen to know."

"These labour troubles are really very distressing. There is no end to
them," said Mrs. Templeton, with the resignation one shows in discussing
the inscrutable ways of Providence. "It does seem as if the working
classes to-day have got quite beyond all bounds. One wonders what they
will demand next. What is the trouble now, Rupert? Of course--wages."

"Oh, the eternal old trouble is there, with some new ones added that
make even wages seem small."

"And what are these?" enquired Dr. Templeton.

"Oh, division of profits, share in administration and control."

"Division of profits in addition to wages?" enquired Mrs. Templeton,
aghast. "But, how dreadful. One would think they actually owned the
factory."

"That is the modern doctrine, I believe," said Rupert.

"Surely that is an extreme statement," said Dr. Templeton, in a shocked
voice, "or you are talking of the very radical element only."

"The Rads lead, of course, but you would be surprised at the demands
made to-day. Why, I heard a young chap last week, a soap-box artist,
denouncing all capitalists as parasites. 'Why should we work for
anyone but ourselves?' he was saying. 'Why don't we take charge of the
factories and run them for the general good?' I assure you, sir, those
were his very words."

"Really, Rupert, you amaze me. In Blackwater here?" exclaimed Dr.
Templeton.

"But, my dear papa, that sort of thing is the commonplace of Hyde Park,
you know," said Adrien, "and--"

"Ah, Hyde Park, yes. I should expect that sort of thing from the Hyde
Park orators. You get every sort of mad doctrine in Hyde Park, as I
remember it, but--"

"And I was going to say that that sort of thing has got away beyond
Hyde Park. Why, papa dear, you have been so engrossed in your Higher
Mathematics that you have failed to keep up with the times." His eldest
daughter smiled at him and, reaching across the corner of the table,
patted his hand affectionately. "We are away beyond being shocked at
profit sharing, and even sharing in control of administration and that
sort of thing."

"But there remains justice, I hope," said her father, "and the right of
ownership."

"Ah, that's just it--what is ownership?"

"Oh, come, Adrien," said Rupert, "you are not saying that Mr. Maitland
doesn't own his factory and mill."

"It depends on what you m