The other rose and closed the door of his study. Then he drew his chair close to Samuel. “Now,” he said, “what is it?” “It's Mr. Wygant,” said Samuel. “Mr. Wygant!” cried the other in dismay. “Yes, Dr. Vince.” “What has he done?” “Did you know that it was he who beat the child-labor bill--that he named the State senator on purpose to do it?” The doctor was staring at him. “The child-labor bill!” he gasped. “Is THAT what you mean?” “Yes, Dr. Vince,” said Samuel. “Surely you didn't know that!” “Why, I know that Mr. Wygant is very much opposed to the bill. He has opposed it openly. He has a perfect right to do that, hasn't he?”' “But to name the State senator to beat it, doctor!” “Well, my boy, Mr. Wygant is very much interested in politics; and, of course, he would use his influence. Why not?” “But, Dr. Vince--it was a wicked thing! Think of Sophie!” “But, my boy--haven't we found Sophie a place in Mr. Wygant's own home?” “Yes, doctor! But there are all the others! Think of the suffering and misery in that dreadful mill! And Mr. Wygant pays such low wages. And he is such a rich man--he might help the children if he would.” “Really, Samuel--” began the doctor. But the boy, seeing the frown of displeasure on his face, rushed on swiftly. “That's only the beginning! Listen to me! There's Mr. Hickman!” “Mr. Hickman!” “Mr. Henry Hickman, the lawyer. He has done even worse things--” And suddenly the clergyman clenched his hands. “Really, Samuel!” he cried. “This is too much! You are exceeding all patience!” “Doctor!” exclaimed the boy in anguish. “It seems to me,” the doctor continued, “that you owe it to me to consider more carefully. You have been treated very kindly here--you have been favored in more ways than one.” “But what has that to do with it?” cried the other wildly. “It is necessary that you should remember your place. It is certainly not becoming for you, a mere boy, and filling a subordinate position, to come to me with gossip concerning the vestry of my church.” “A subordinate position!” echoed Samuel dazed. “But what has my position to do with it?” “It has a great deal to do with it, Samuel.” The boy was staring at him. “You don't understand me!” he cried. “I am not doing this for myself! I am not setting myself up! I am thinking of the saving of the church!” “What do you mean--saving the church?” “Why, doctor--just see! I went to reform a man; and he sneered at me. He would not have anything to do with the church, because such wicked men as Mr. Hickman were in it. He said it was their money that saved them from exposure--he said--” “What has Mr. Hickman done?” demanded the other quickly. “He bribed the city council, sir! He bribed it to beat the water bill.” Dr. Vince got up from his chair and began to pace the floor nervously. “Tell me, doctor!” cried Samuel. “Please tell me! Surely you didn't know that!”