"Superficial, v-very superficial, just a little I picked up in railroad construction."
There were more questions as to loss of water by seepage, air and subsoil drainage, drops, earth canals, character and depth of soil, possibilities of alkali, all of which questions Symes answered readily enough, but which at the conclusion left Symes with the exhausted feeling of a long session on the witness stand.
"There are still something like $150,000 worth of bonds in the market, I believe?"
"Approximately." It was Mudge who spoke up hopefully.
"And there is no doubt in your mind, Mr. Symes, but that with this amount you can finish the work at the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the State engineers?"
Symes jingled the loose change in his trousers pockets and replied with a large air of confidence—
"None whatever, sir."
Mr. Prescott arose and stood for a moment thoughtfully stroking the back of one gray suede glove with the tips of the other.
"I—I will take the matter up with my p-people and give you their decision shortly."
His eyes were lowered so he did not see the look which made Symes's face radiant for an instant, but he may have imagined it was there, for his lips curved in ever so faint a smile.