“Yes, the compact is still in operation, and I’m glad you wrote about your step-mother’s letter, although I hope you will not take too seriously any half-hysterical comments on my tyrannical conduct, A man must act, and one who acts is bound to make mistakes. Perhaps the discharge of Marsten was a mistake. I don’t think so, but of course your step-mother does, and, as facts always embarrass her, she sees instant starvation and all the rest of it. Everything, Edna, depends on the point of view. A lighted match is dropped by accident or design, and, falling on inflammable material, certain chemical changes take place; carbonic acid gas is produced, and a factory goes down in ruins to supply the materials for combustion. All this seems perfectly natural to me, and in accordance with established scientific research. But your stepmother’s point of view is different. She sees the finger of Providence, and because I don’t, I’m a scoffer. Now, I’ve as great a belief and trust in Providence as any one, but to me Providence works sanely. It doesn’t destroy a factory and kill two men merely to show me I’m in error, because it could accomplish its purpose at much less expense and trouble. I can’t think that Providence is less sensible than my little girl, and she takes the right method. She says in kindly fashion, ‘Father, I think you are wrong, and I want you to reconsider.’ She doesn’t try to prove me a heartless despot. I would at once reconsider, and would invite Marsten back, but it is not necessary. He is the new secretary of the Union, with a salary larger than the wages he had here, with his time practically his own, and with ample opportunity for mischief if he chooses to exercise his power. I feel it in my bones that in one or two or three years I shall have to fight him. It will be an interesting struggle, but I shall win. So with this final bit of brag I close my long letter. I hope to run down and see you on Saturday, and meanwhile all the sympathy you have to spare, lavish on that iron-handed tyrant, “Your Father.” CHAPTER XXVIII.