He must begin the day by informing the foreman of his changed intentions.
He disliked the idea of the possible friction involved in the performance of this disagreeable duty, but there seemed to be no other way out of the dilemma.
His announcement, however, was to be less embarrassing than he anticipated.
His providence was about to take a short nap.
As he approached the foreman, he discovered that individual, several degrees less breezy than usual, engaged in an animated conversation with a young man whose prevailing expression was so penitential that Dennis, with prompt Celtic intuition, decided that he was gazing upon his predecessor in office.
He was assured of this by the glance of belligerent appraisement with which the young fellow surveyed him from head to foot, in response to some suggestive indication from the foreman.
He seemed, to the apprehensive eyes of Dennis, to be calculating his chances in the event of a physical contest.
And this recalled what the foreman had said about his biceps.
“You want to see me?” queried the latter with an expression in which the sunshine seemed overdue.
“Yes,” answered Dennis as his employer stepped aside to hear what he had to say.