"Still," said the Doctor, "Violet's had a tough time--a mighty tough time; three children in six years. The last one took most of her teeth; young horse doctor gave her some dope that about killed her; she's done all the cooking, washing, scrubbing and made garden for the family in that time--up every morning at five, seven days in the week to get breakfast for Dennis--Emma would look broken if she'd had that." The Doctor paused. "Like her mother--weak--vain--puts all of Denny's wages on the children's backs--Laura says Violet spends more on frills for those kids than we spend for groceries--and Violet goes around herself looking like the Devil before breakfast." The Doctor rested his chin on his cane. "Remember her mother--Mrs. Mauling--funny how it breeds that way. The human critter, Cap, is a curious beast--but he does breed true--mostly." The Doctor loafed, whistling, around the work shop, prodding at things with his cane, and wound up leaning against one end of the bench. "Last day of the century," he piped, "makes a fellow pause and study. I've seen fifty-three years of the old century--seen the electric light, the telephone, the phonograph, the fast printing press, the transcontinental railroad, the steam thresher, the gasoline engine--and all its wonders clear down to Judge Tom's devil wagon. That's a good deal for one short life. I've seen industry revolutionized--leaving the homes of the people, and herding into the great factories. I've seen steam revolutionize the daily habits of men, and distort their thoughts; one man can't run a steam engine; it takes more than one man to own one. So have I seen capital rise in the world until it is greater than kings, greater than courts, greater than governments--greater than God himself as matters stand, Cap--I'm terribly afraid that's true." The Doctor was serious. His high voice was calm, and he smoked a while in peace. "But," he added reflectively--"Cap, I want to tell you something more wonderful than all; I've seen seven absolutely honest men elected this year to the State Senate--I've sounded them, felt them out, had all kinds of reports from all kinds of people on those seven men. Each man thinks he's alone, and there are seven." The Doctor leaned over to the Captain and said confidentially, "Cap--we meet next week. Listen here. I was elected without a dollar of the old spider's money. He fought me for that smelter law on the quiet. Now look here; you watch my smoke. I'm going to organize those seven, and make eight and you're going to see some fighting." "You ain't going to fight the party, are you, Doc?" asked the amazed Captain, as though he feared that the Doctor would fall dead if he answered yes. But the Doctor grinned and said: "Maybe--if it fights me." "Well, Doc--" cried the Captain, "don't you think--"