Jessie stood looking at this girl. She felt the intensity of her excitement, and shared it; yet at the same time there was something in Jessie that resented it. She did not wish to be upset about things like this, which she could not help. Of course these unfortunate people were suffering; but--what a shocking lot of noise the poor thing was making! A part of the poor thing’s excitement was rage, and Jessie realised that, and resented it still more. It was as if it were a personal challenge to her; the same as Hal’s fierce social passions, which so bewildered and shocked her. “They’re beatin’ the women back like dogs!” the girl repeated. “Mary,” said Hal, trying to soothe her, “the doctors will be doing their best. The women couldn’t expect to crowd about them!” “Maybe they couldn’t; but that’s not it, Joe, and ye know it! They been bringin’ up dead bodies, some they found where the explosion was--blown all to pieces. And they won’t let anybody see them. Is that because of the doctors? No, it ain’t! It’s because they want to tell lies about the number killed! They want to count four or five legs to a man! And that’s what’s drivin’ the women crazy! I saw Mrs. Zamboni, tryin’ to get into the shed, and Pete Hanun caught her by the breasts and shoved her back. ‘I want my man!’ she screamed. ‘Well, what do you want him for? He’s all in pieces!’ ‘I want the pieces!’ ‘What good’ll they do you? Are you goin’ to eat him?’” There were cries of horror now, even from Jessie; and the strange girl hid her face in her hands and began to sob again. Hal put his hand gently on her arm. “Mary,” he pleaded, “it’s not so bad--at least they’re getting the people out.” “How do ye know what they’re doin’? They might be sealin’ up parts of the mine down below! That’s what makes it so horrible--nobody knows what’s happenin’! Ye should have heard poor Mrs. Rafferty screamin’. Joe, it went through me like a knife. Just think, it’s been half an hour since they brought him up, and the poor lady can’t be told if her man is alive.” SECTION 24. Hal stood for a few moments in thought. He was surprised that such things should be happening while Percy Harrigan’s train was in the village. He was considering whether he should go to Percy, or whether a hint to Cotton or Cartwright would not be sufficient. “Mary,” he said, in a quiet voice, “you needn’t distress yourself so. We can get better treatment for the women, I’m sure.” But her sobbing went on. “What can ye do? They’re bound to have their way!” “No,” said Hal. “There’s a difference now. Believe me--something can be done. I’ll step over and have a word with Jeff Cotton.” He started towards the door; but there came a cry: “Hal!” It was Jessie, whom he had almost forgotten in his sudden anger at the bosses. At her protest he turned and looked at her; then he looked at Mary. He saw the latter’s hands fall from her tear-stained face, and her expression of grief give way to one of wonder. “Hal!”