Page:The unhallowed harvest (1917).djvu/38

Rh "I have seen Mrs. Bradley at our services once or twice of late," added the clergyman, "and it occurred to me that it might be an opportune time to tender to her the good offices of the Church. It may also well be that she is in need of material help."

"That's possible. It's unfortunate that she didn't accept Mr. Malleson's offer at the time of the accident."

"What was his offer? I hadn't heard of it."

"I presume not. Few people have. It's popular to exploit the heartlessness of corporations, but there are not many who are willing to mention their deeds of generosity. Why, Mr. Malleson offered to pay all doctor's bills made or to be made in connection with Bradley's injury, and to make them a gift of fifteen hundred dollars besides. I considered that to be a very liberal offer, inasmuch as the company was not legally bound to pay them a penny."

"And Mrs. Bradley rejected it?"

"Yes, she turned it down flat, and took up with Sheldrake—you know what kind of a lawyer he is—and Sheldrake brought suit for twenty-five thousand dollars damages—and lost his case, as I knew he would."

"Why did Mrs. Bradley refuse your proposition?"

"Well, in the first place, because she didn't consider the amount large enough; but principally because we offered it as a gratuity. She would have no gifts. We must acknowledge an obligation, and make our payment on that account, or she would have nothing to do with us. That's the trouble with many of these people; they are too independent. They have no sense of proportion. They don't appreciate their true relation to society. They quarrel with their bread and butter when it comes to them as a benevolence, and they refuse charity on the ground that they should receive help as a matter of right and not as a matter of grace."

"I am not sure but that they are right, Westgate. A man is a man regardless of the accident of birth or