"Thank you, Pearl. I'll take care of Miss Babcock. No one can work in this bank and talk in favor of that bunch of outlaws." Pearl started to leave the room and then turned back. "Mr. Stover, I wish that you would not mention my name in connection with this." "No. I'll not say anything about where I got my information." When Stover entered the bank room after this information had been imparted to him he found his nephew, Chester Golter, preparing to leave. "Just a minute, Chester, before you go. I wish to speak to you." "All right, Uncle Jim." "I just heard that Ruth Babcock is talking in favor of the Klan. Have you ever heard her say anything that would indicate that she is a Klan supporter?" "Yes. I have. I heard her say that if she were a man she would be a Klansman." "Did she say that?" "She certainly did." "You know that I informed the men of this bank long ago that I would not retain in my employ any man who joined the Klan. Now, I will not retain a man or woman in my employ who talks in favor of the Klan or lends his influence to it in any way. Ruth will have the pleasure of looking for another job." "Uncle Jim, I don't believe that Ruth is to blame so much as is someone else." "Who?" "Harold King." "What has King to do with it?" "Ruth runs around a great deal with King, and you know that he is a Klansman." "Yes, and I know that he is an impudent puppy, too." "I am satisfied that Ruth is influenced by King. If she would quit associating with King I believe she would be all right." "I'll fix King. I have just been waiting for a chance to land on that young upstart." "I wouldn't like to see Ruth lose her job," Golter remarked. "I'll give her a chance." "Thank you, uncle." Ruth had scarcely removed her wraps the next morning when Stover called her into his office. "Ruth," he began, "I have tried to be a friend to you." "Yes, I think you have, Mr. Stover." "I wouldn't give you wrong advice any sooner than I would my own daughter, and what I shall say to you now is for your own good." He spoke in his most paternal voice. "I am always glad to receive good advice." "I thought you would be or I would have dismissed you without saying a word." (Ruth's eyes opened wide and the color left her cheeks.) "I thought you would be sensible." He laid his hand in a fatherly way on her shoulder. She shrank from his touch. "I have heard that you are talking in favor of the Klan?" "I have said some things in favor of the Klan." "And you know that I am unalterably opposed to these midnight riders." "I know you are opposed to the Klan." "And yet you talk in their favor?" "If I want to I do. This is a free country, and I, with the Klan, believe in the freedom of speech." She spoke with spirit. Matters were taking a turn that he had not anticipated. "Of course, of course you have a right to say what you please about this matter, but you understand that I have a right to employ whom I please."