human
Well, George, she said,
gpt
I've just been stealing away from my children in the Valley for a little visit with Emma.
human
Very well, then, said Mr. Brotherton,
gpt
George--good old friend, she said gently,
human
George--no man ever degraded a woman more than I was degraded. Yet I brought Lila out of it, and I thank God for her, and I don't mind the price--not now. She turned to look at Mr. Brotherton inquiringly as she said:
gpt
But what I come in to talk to you about, George, was Grant. Have you noticed in the last few months--that growing--well--it's more than enthusiasm, George; it's a fanaticism. Since he has been working on the garden plan--Grant has been getting wilder and wilder in his talk about the Democracy of labor. Have you noticed it--or am I oversensitive?
human
Grant's a zealot. He's full of this prisms, prunes and peace idea, this sweetness and light revolution, this notion of hitching their hop-dreams to these three-acre plots, and preaching non-resistance. It's coming a little fast for me, Laura--just a shade too many at times. But, on the other hand--there's Nate Perry. He's as cold-blooded a Yankee as ever swindled a father--and he's helping with the scheme. He's--
gpt
He has no faith in the Democracy of Labor. He hoots, interrupted Laura.
human
What he's doing is working for a more efficient lot of laboring men, so that when the time comes when the unions shall ask and get more definite control of the factories and mines, in the way of wage-setting, and price-making, they will bring some sense with their control. He's merely looking after himself--in the last analysis; but Grant's going mad. George, he actually believes that when this thing wins here in the Valley--the peaceful strike, the rise of labor, and the theory of non-resistance--he's going over the world, and in a few years will have labor emancipated. Have you heard him--that is, recently?
gpt
Well, yes, a week or so ago, answered Brotherton,
human
he asked, drumming with the poker on the hearth.
gpt
Laura, Brotherton ran his eyes from the poker until they met her frank, gray eyes,
human
Grant would listen to you before he would listen to any one else on earth or in Heaven--I'm sure of that.
gpt
Then what shall we do? she asked.
human
We mustn't let him wreck himself--and all these people? What ought I--