"H'm," he observed at length. "Saw a great article on the combustion of coal gases in locomotives, last night."
"That so?" nodded Knight, and proceeded to whistle industriously.
Slavin looked hurt at the repulse. In a minute or two he blurted out again:
"I see there's a new invention for economizing steam in short-run engines. Sort of studying up things, see? This here book----"
"What book is it, Slavin?" inquired Ralph pleasantly.
"Yes, what's this high jinks in railroad education you're firing at us?" demanded Knight, suddenly seizing the volume from Slavin's hand. "Oh, my! hold me! ha! ha!" roared the veteran towerman. "Listen, Fairbanks: 'Technical Topography of High Grade Elevations in Asiatic Railways.' Oh, me! Oh, my! Slavin, you take the cake!"
"Mr. Knight, I didn't come here to have my feelings trampled on," spoke Slavin in tones of offended dignity.
"Right, old son. You came here to show how hard you'd got the railroad fever--hey, you spoony? Why, it's sticking out all over you. I had it once. They all get it at first. Why, you ambitious young lunkhead," cried Knight, slapping Slavin's shoulder with a hearty whack that nearly knocked him over, "you're simply tickled to death about something, and I can tell it in three words."
"What is it, Mr. Knight?" asked Ralph innocently.
"'Got a job!'"