human
Father--you're right when you say character makes happiness. But what do you call it--surroundings--where you live and how you live and what you do for a living--environment! That's it, that's the word--environment has lots and lots to do with character. Let the company reduce its dividends by giving the men a chance at decent living conditions, in decent houses and decent streets, and you'll have another sort of attitude toward the company. Quit cheating them at the store, and you'll have more honesty in the mines; quit sprinkling sour beer and whiskey on the sawdust in front of the saloons to coax men in who have an appetite, and you'll have less drinking--but, of course, Sands will have less rents. Let the company obey the law--the company run by men who are pointed out as examples, and there'll be less lawlessness among the men when trouble comes. Why, Mr. Dexter, do you know as we sat down there in the dark, we counted up five laws which the company broke, any one of which would have prevented the fire, and would have saved ninety lives. Trash in the passage leading to the main shaft delayed notifying the men five minutes--that's against the law. Torches leaking in the passageway where there should have been electric lights--that's against the law. Boys--little ten-year-olds working down there--cheap, cheap! he cried,
gpt
Oh, those men--they risked their lives--Chopini and Casper Herdicker gave their lives for me. Father, he cried,
human
I am bought with a price. These men risked all and gave all for me. I am theirs. I have no other right to live except as I serve them. He drew a deep breath; set his jaw and spoke with all the force he could put into a quiet voice:
gpt
I am dedicated to men--to those great-souled, brave, kind men whom God has sent here for man to dwarf and ruin. They have bought me. I am theirs.
human
What are you going to do, Grant?
gpt
My job, he cried,