"He may build a home and lavish them on his wife and children, or he may become a great public benefactor and win the love and gratitude of the people by enriching the State and shortening the hours of labour. If your dredge can make a million, for example, as you claim--go ahead, work at night, perfect it, put it to work, build yourself a palace to live in, give millions to the Brotherhood. Shorten their hours from eight to four, and I'll guarantee you'll oust me from my position of power." Norman's eye suddenly flashed with resolution. "You will not grant me the labour to complete the dredge?" Norman asked. "Not one man for one minute," was the curt reply. "Then I'll finish it myself," Norman said, with determination. "After you've worked eight full hours a day, under my direction--you understand!" the regent responded sullenly. Norman sprang to his feet and the two men faced each other a moment, the big scar on Wolf's neck flashing red, his enormous fists instinctively closing. "Wolf, this is an infamous outrage!" "I'll teach you not to speak to me in that manner again, sir!" the regent slowly said, as he tapped his bell. The guards sprang to his side. "Show this gentleman to the barnyard--he is a good farmer. Put him at work with old Methodist John cleaning out the stables for the new cantaloup crop. He is very fond of cantaloups. If he makes any trouble tell the sergeant of your guard to give him thirty-nine lashes without consulting me." Norman stepped closer, and, trembling from head to foot, said to Wolf: "If ever one of your men lays the weight of his hand on me----" "And yet we both agreed that under our system discipline must be enforced--the discipline of an army?" the regent interrupted. Norman held his gaze fixed without moving a muscle, and slowly continued: "If you ever try it, you'd better finish your job." "I'll remember your advice," Wolf answered with a sneer. "Show him to his work." CHAPTER XXIX A TEST OF STRENGTH When Catherine saw the furious look on Barbara's face as she descended from the platform the night of the election, she avoided a meeting and went to bed pleading a headache. Early the next morning Barbara rapped for entrance, forced her way in, and stood, tense with anger, before the older woman, her eyes red from the long vigil of a sleepless night. "You avoided me last night----" Catherine laughed. "My dear, I never saw you in quite such a rage. It might be serious if it were not so silly." "You'll find it serious before you are through with this performance," Barbara retorted, angrily. "Remember, I am in supreme authority now. Don't you dare speak to me in that manner, you ungrateful little wretch!" "I'll dare to tell you the truth--even if you were the mother who bore me--even if I had not repaid you a hundredfold for every dollar you have spent on me."