Orme did not attempt to conceal the contempt in his words, and several of the listeners moved in their chairs, betraying their embarrassment. "Perhaps, then, Mr. Orme," said the minister, "you could favor us with a story which would show the attitude of an American in such an affair." Orme laughed. "Oddly enough," he replied, "I can give you just such a story--if you all care to hear it." "Go on," murmured one of the men. "It happened to a friend of mine," said Orme. "He had in his possession a number of proxies, the use of which would determine the control of a certain corporation. While he was carrying these proxies to the country-house of the man to whom he was to deliver them, he was attacked by a man who was acting for another faction. This man secured the advantage over my friend and, robbing him of the proxies, jumped into a waiting motor-car to make his escape." "And did he escape?" the minister interrupted. "He thought himself safe," continued Orme, "but my friend had caught the back of the motor-car just as it started. He climbed silently into the tonneau, and throwing his arm around the neck of the thief, pulled him backward from his seat. "The car was ditched, and my friend and the thief were both thrown out. My friend was not hurt. The thief, however, had his leg broken." "What happened then?" inquired the minister; for Orme had paused. "Oh, my friend took the proxies from the thief's pocket and walked away. He stopped at the nearest farmhouse and sent help back." "Even in America," commented the minister, "the frien's of the injured man might see that his hurt was avenge. The man who caused the accident should be made to suffer." "Oh, no," said Orme. "If the matter were pressed at all, the correct thing to do would be to arrest the man with the broken leg. He had stolen the papers in the first place. Harm came to him, when he tried to escape with the papers after stealing them. But as a matter of fact, the average American would consider the affair at an end." "Your story and mine are dissimilar," remarked the minister. "Perhaps. But they involve a similar question: whether a man should yield passively to a power that appears to be stronger than his own. In America we do not yield passively unless we understand all the bearings of the case, and see that it is right to yield." At this moment a motor-car came up the drive. "There's our car, Bob," said Bessie. "Wait a moment, while I get my wraps. I know that you are impatient to go." "I know that you are a good friend," he whispered, as she arose. He did not care to remain with the group in Bessie's absence. With a bow, he turned to stroll by himself down the veranda. But the minister jumped to his feet and called: "Mr. Orme!" Orme looked back. "Please be so good as to return," continued the minister. With mere politeness, Orme halted, and took a step back toward his chair.