Cicily, however, was not to be diverted from a frank exposition of her position. Now, she faced the men, and made clear her attitude: "Let me tell you that Mrs. Hamilton is proud to be merely a member of the club which you have heard referred to and certainly she is not going to resign her membership in it. You men have your union. There's no reason why we women should not have our club as well. You say that I've been helping them. Very well, what of it? Yes, I have been helping them. Why shouldn't the women take money from me, I'd like to know. For that matter, it's nothing like what you men have been doing--taking money from Carrington and Morton.... And you talk about fighting fair!" At the final statement made by his wife, Hamilton whirled on the men. "What's that?" he fairly barked. "Are Morton and Carrington supplying you fellows with money to prolong the strike?" "Yes," Cicily replied, as the men maintained a sullen silence. "And these men of yours have been listening to their lying promises about starting a new factory, as soon as you are down and out for keeps." She eyed the men scornfully, as she continued: "Haven't you the sense to see that it's merely a plan to ruin Mr. Hamilton completely? They want to kill him off for good and all. Then, when he's out of the way, you'll have to work for any sort of wages they are willing to give you. Good gracious, the scheme is plain enough! Why can't you see it as it is--a plot to do him up through you? A woman can see the inside of it easily enough!" But her sensible argument was wasted on the men, who already had their opinions formed, and were not likely to change them readily at a word. "Women have no place in business," Schmidt reiterated, heavily. "We have proved that. Now, Mr. Hamilton, you just keep your wife to yourself. We don't want her meddling around in our concerns. And we'll keep our wives to ourselves. They don't want you!" he added significantly; and McMahon and Ferguson endorsed the sentiment by vigorous nods of assent. "So," the German concluded, "we will settle this strike ourselves, like men, without any more woman's interference. Am I right?" "That's exactly what I want you to do," Hamilton replied. "And any time you want to come back with the cut, let me know." "I hope you won't hold your breath while you're waiting," the Irishman advised grimly. "And I hope you won't be hungry," Hamilton retorted. With this exchange of civilities, the meeting between the men and their former employer came to an abrupt end. Without any further farewells than a series of curt nods, the men filed from the room.