Neither of them had spoken to her in all this time. Now both voiced thanks. But a moment later Dick found himself talking alone and telling her that he would send her a check within a few days to cover the amount of the loan; but she was not looking at him. He saw that her eyes were fixed on the big man by his side, who stood there looking down into her face. For some reason she appeared embarrassed by that direct scrutiny, and her eyes fell, and wandered around on those standing nearest. Suddenly she frowned, and wondering they followed the direction of her look. Not ten feet from them, standing stockily on his feet with his high, heavy shoulders squared, his hands thrust deep into his pockets, his firm face unmoved, his hat shading his eyes, stood Bully Presby. He made no movement toward the goal of the contributors, and seemed to have no intention of so doing. As if to escape an unpleasant situation The Lily suddenly walked toward him. "Good-evening, Mister Presby," she saluted, and he slowly turned his head and stared at her. He did not shift his attitude in the least, and appeared granite-like in his rigid pose. "I suppose," she said, "that you have put something into the contribution." "I have not," he replied with his customary incisive, harsh voice. "Why should I? The contribution means nothing to me." The brutality, the inhumanity of his words made her recoil for an instant, and then she recovered her fearlessness and dignity. "I might have known that," she said, coolly. "I should have expected nothing more from you. The lives of these--all these--" and she gestured toward those around--"mean nothing to you. Nor the sufferings and poverties of those dependent on them." "Certainly not," he answered with a trace of a harsh sneer outlined on his face. "If they get killed, I am sorry. If they live, they are useful. If they are lost, others take their places. They are merely a part of the general scheme. They are for me to use." His words were like a challenge. He watched her curiously as if awaiting her reply. Dick felt Bill starting forward, angrily, then checked him. "Wait!" he whispered. "Let's hear what he has to say." The Lily took a step forward to arraign him. Her face shone whiter than ever in the light of the torches. "And that is all? That is your attitude?" He did not answer, but stared at her curiously. It seemed to anger her more.