Old Herman sat up, and listened sourly. But after a time he got up and
pouring some water out of the kettle, proceeded to shave himself.
And Rudolph talked on. If now he were to go back, and it were to the
advantage of the Fatherland and of the workers of the world to hamper
the industry, who so able to do it as Herman.
"Hamper? How?" Herman asked, suspiciously, holding his razor aloft. He
had a great fear of the law.
Rudolph re-assured him, cunning eyes averted.
"Well, a strike," he suggested. "The men'll listen to you. God knows
they've got a right to strike."
"I shall not go back," said Herman stolidly, and finished his shaving.
But Rudolph was satisfied. He left Herman sitting again by the fire, but
his eyes were no longer brooding. He was thinking, watching the smoke
curl up from the china-bowled German pipe which he had brought from the
Fatherland, and which he used only on special occasions.