"Seven."
"Thank you."
The foreman turned from him with an angry grunt, and Ralph started to leave.
One of the firemen he knew winked at him, another made an animated grimace at the surly boss. Ralph heard a third remark, in a low tone.
"What a liking he's taken to him! He'll have a fierce run for his money."
"Yes, it'll be a full course of sprouts. You won't have a path of flowers, kid."
"I shan't come here to raise flowers," answered Ralph quietly.
He trod the air as he left the roundhouse. The gruff, uncivil manner of the foreman had not daunted him a whit. He had met all kinds of men in his brief business experience, and he believed that honest, conscientious endeavor could not fail to win both success and good will in time.
Ralph went back to his friend More, at the express shed, and told his story.
"You're booked, sure enough," admitted the agent, though a little glumly. "I'd have struck higher."