s, she made decisions. Some, even in
those early days of the strike, were frauds; were hiding their savings;
but for the most part investigation revealed an appalling destitution,
a resolution to suffer for the worker's cause. A few complained, the
majority were resigned; some indeed showed exaltation and fire, were
undaunted by the task of picketing in the cold mornings, by the presence
of the soldiery. In this work of dealing with the operatives Janet had
the advice and help of Anna Mower, a young woman who herself had been a
skilled operative in the Clarendon Mill, and who was giving evidence of
unusual qualities of organization and leadership. Anna, with no previous
practise in oratory, had suddenly developed the gift of making speeches,
the more effective with her fellow workers because unstudied, because
they flowed directly out of an experience she was learning to interpret
and universalize. Janet, who heard her once or twice, admired and envied
her. They became friends.

The atmosphere of excitement in which Janet now found herself was
cumulative. Day by day one strange event followed another, and at times
it seemed as if this extraordinary existence into which she had been
plunged were all a feverish dream. Hither, to the absurd little solle de
reunion of the Franco-Belgian Hall came notables from the great world,
emissaries from an uneasy Governor, delegations from the Legislature,
Members of the Congress of the United States and even Senators;
students, investigators, men and women of prominence in the
universities, magazine writers to consult with uncouth leaders of
a rebellion that defied and upset the powers which hitherto had so
serenely ruled, unchallenged. Rolfe identified these visitors, and
one morning called her attention to one who he said was the nation's
foremost authority on social science. Janet possessed all unconsciously
the New England reverence for learning, she was stirred by the sight
of this distinguished-looking person who sat on the painted stage,
fingering his glasses and talking to Antonelli. The two men made a
curious contrast. But her days were full of contrasts of which her mood
exultingly approved. The politicians were received cavalierly. Toward
these, who sought to act as go-betweens in the conflict, Antonelli was
contemptuous; he behaved like the general of a conquering army, and his
audacity was reflected in the other leaders, in Rolfe, in the Committee
itself.

That Committ