It is for themselves and they are our men." "Voluntary work, I suppose ?" inquired Maitland.
"Voluntary work ?" said Jack.

"We couldn't have men work for us for nothing." "And you mean to pay them for the construction of their own athletic grounds and club-house ?" "But why not ?" inquired Jack in amazement.
His father threw back his head and began to laugh.
"This is really the most extraordinary thing I have ever heard of in all my life," he said, after he had done with his laugh.

"Your men strike; you prepare for them a beautiful club-house and athletic grounds as a reward for their loyalty.

You pay them wages so that they may be able to sustain the strike indefinitely." Again he threw back his head and continued laughing as Jack had never in his life heard him laugh.
"Why not, Dad ?" said Jack, gazing at his father in half-shamed perplexity.

"The idea of athletic grounds and club-house is according to the best modern thought.