“You’re hired, Andy,” said Douglas decidedly. “But isn’t it going to be pretty tough to quit the boxing game for cooking?”
“Seein’ as you ’ave asked me I’ll say that it’s a blinkin’ sight better than quittin’ it for tiddledy-winks!”
Douglas came to his feet. “I want you to meet Dad, Donald, and we’ll find out when we are to start.”
Andy patted his stomach contemplatively. “Well, with this ’ere champagne under me belt, I think I’ll start in ’ere and ’ave a drink and a fight in every bar from ’ere to Cordova Street. About meetin’ you, Donnie,” he added scratching his head reflectively, “the way I feel right now I think by to-morrow morning you’ll find me in the bridal-chamber of the Vancouver Hotel.” Saying which with straightened shoulders, his head set at a characteristic angle, he swaggered down the street and with a wave of his hand disappeared within the swinging doors of the first saloon. In his present mood Andy envied no millionaire.
“You’ll like Dad,” said Douglas, as they ran up the steps of the big office building. “He’s rather severe looking and pretty straight-laced, but the face he wears in the office isn’t the face he wears at home.” He finished with a laugh.
Robert Rennie was the sole owner of the Rennie Construction and Logging Company, one of the largest organizations of its kind on the Coast. He now rose from his chair and came around the desk, all the while studying Donald’s face, which bore unmistakable traces of the afternoon’s fight.
“Dad, this is Donald McLean, whom I told you about last night. I don’t want to take up much of your time; just wanted you to meet Donald and find out when we can start on the trip to the mountains.”
“Now that Gillis is here to go with you, you can go any time; the sooner the better, as we expect to have the railroad to the summit in a few weeks,” responded his father, his eyes still on Donald.
“Thanks, Dad,” said Douglas. “We can be ready to-morrow and leave the next day.”
“Douglas, will you please go to Bowser’s office and get some papers he promised to have ready to-day?” asked Robert Rennie.