II

The Child




"SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME"




II

The Child


The employees had all gone home, carrying with them Christmas checks and
hearty greetings from the great man whose beck and nod they followed. He
sat in his private office absolutely alone. He had some serious matters
to consider and did not want any interruptions. His balance-sheet for
the year had been made up according to the custom of the firm before
Christmas instead of on New Year's Day. He examined it again. It showed
tremendous profit. The mills were turning out quantities of material,
the demand for which was greater and the cost of production less than
ever before.

"I tell you," said the man to himself, "it was a master-stroke to
displace the men with children in the mills. They have reduced the cost