"How," he asked, slowly, "are we ever to make anything of it if we,
on the employers' side, can't understand their point of view, and
they can't understand ours?"

Mrs. Foote arose. "Let's not take labor unions into the other room
with us," she said.

Bonbright and Hilda walked in together and immediately engaged in
comfortable conversation; not the sort of nonsense talk usually
resorted to by a young man and a young woman on their first meeting.
They had no awkwardness to overcome, nor was either striving to make
an impression on the other. Bonbright had forgotten who this girl
was, and why she was present, until he saw his mother and Mrs.
Lightener approach each other, cast covert glances in their
direction, and then observe something with evident pleasure.

"They seem attracted by each other," Mrs. Foote said.

"He's a nice boy," replied Mrs. Lightener. "I think you're right."

"An excellent beginning. Propinquity and opportunity ought to do the
rest. ... We can see to that."

Bonbright understood what they were saying as if he had heard it; bit
his lips and looked ruefully from the mothers to Hilda. Her eyes had
just swung from the same point to HIS face, and there was a dancing,
quizzical light in them. SHE understood, too. Bonbright blushed at
this realization.

"Isn't it funny?" said Hilda, with a little chuckle. "Mothers are