"Exactly. And, after all, there's not much mystery in concrete." "Well?" he said, in a tone of inquiry. "Well, before you are aware you may have competition, or, as I said just now, the raw material may run out." "I cannot conceive that honourable men will try to go behind their promise." "As individuals, no; but you are dealing with a company." "Well, what is the difference?" Mr. Telfer laughed. "There ought to be no difference, I grant. Nevertheless, you will find out as you grow older that companies and corporations and committees will do what as single individuals they would never dream of doing. When men are associated with a hundred others, the sense of individual responsibility disappears. Companies or corporations have neither souls nor consciences. You, as an individual, would not settle a dispute with a revolver, or at the point of a sword. Possibly you think duelling a crime, yet as a member of a community or nation you would possibly applaud an appeal to arms in any quarrel affecting our material interests." "Possibly I should," Ralph answered, looking thoughtful. "Then you see what I am driving at?" "And you advise making the most of my opportunity?" "I do most certainly. I don't deny I may be selfish in this. I want as much of the stuff as I can buy at the present price. Nobody else can make it as cheaply as you are doing." "Why not?" "First, because you are on good terms with your men, and are getting the most out of them. Second, because you have no expenses to pay--that is, you have no salaries to pay or directors to fee." "I'll think about it," Ralph said, and the interview came to an end. A week later he doubled his shift. He had no difficulty in getting men, for the pay was good and the work was in the open air, and in no sense of the word dangerous. He was on the spot nearly all the time himself. He left nothing to chance. He delegated none of his own work to other people. Ruth saw very little of him; he was off over the hill early in the morning, and he did not return home till late at night. She understood he was prospering, but his prosperity made no difference to their style of living. He was too fully occupied to think of anything but his work, and too much of a man to be spoiled by a few months of success. He had taken Mr. Telfer's advice, and was doubling his output, but he was still of opinion that no attempt would be made to get behind the concession that had been granted to him by the Brick, Tile, and Clay Company. As the days passed away and grew into weeks and months, and he heard nothing from the chairman or any of the directors, or of any investigation, he was more than ever convinced that Mr. Telfer's fears were entirely without foundation.