the business more than all the buildings full of machinery. ... I
stood and watched them."

Interest kindled in Lightener's eyes. "Yes?" he prompted.

"It never occurred to me before that being at the head of a business
meant-meant commanding so many men ... meant exercising power over
all those lives. ... Then there were the wives and children at home.
..."

Bonbright's father leaned forward icily. "Son," he said, coldly, "you
haven't been picking up any queer notions in college?"

"Queer notions?"

"Socialistic, anarchistic notions. That sort of thing."

"I don't believe," said Bonbright, with utter honesty, "that I ever
gave the workingman a thought till to-day. ... That's why it hit me
so hard, probably."

"It hit you, eh?" said Lightener. He lifted his hand abruptly to
motion to silence Mr. Foote, who seemed about to interrupt. "Leave
the boy alone, Foote. ... This is interesting. Never saw just this
thing happen before. ... It hit you hard, eh?"

"It was the realization of the power of large employers of labor--
like father and yourself, sir."

"Was that all?"