"Do not hesitate to speak out anything that is in your heart. But I wonder if I could guess what it is you wish to ask me to do! Is it to go and have a talk to the men first?"
"It is!" exclaimed Jim, more excited than ever. "How could you know what was in my mind?"
"Oh, very easily," replied Phebe, laughing.
"I know what the lads want, and you are welcome to tell Mr. Black all I've said; but it will be a heap better if you will talk to the men theirselves."
"Would they be willing for me to be their spokesman to Mr. Black, do you suppose?"
"Why, of course I am. They'd only be too proud if you would."
"When could I see them?"
"They have a meeting to-night——" Again he hesitated, feeling he was asking so much.
Phebe quickly answered, "I will go with you at once," and then added, "Ah, Mr. Coates, it is not the first time you have induced me to go on an errand I have shrunk from!"
"And this one," exclaimed Jim, his face all aglow, "is going to be as well-ended as the other one was, you see if it isn't!"