"You fairly take away my breath!" he exclaimed. "The last one is a splendid idea! I had never thought of that wrinkle! The men would never agree working side by side, but the idea of the 'shifts' and the electric light is a dazzling one. The wonder is, I had never thought of it myself."
"You think, then, the electric light could be managed?"
"Yes, easily enough. Why, do you know, I should get this contract finished in time to take on another I was thinking I should have to decline! I really ought to pay you for the idea—excuse me," seeing a flush come to her face, "but I am really indebted to you!"
"What may I say to the men, Mr. Black?"
"That I will have the two 'shifts,' and that if they will work the extra hour I will pay them the sum you have named to them. I could do no other after the help you have been to me."
"I wish," she said earnestly, "you had agreed to it out of sympathy with the men, and because you thought God would have you do so."
But he made her no answer.
Early that evening Jim Coates came to receive the message for the men. He lost no time in returning to his mates. They were assembled in the same place as before.
Of course the message was received with cheers. Some of the men could hardly believe their ears.
"Well, I never!" was all Ford and some others could say.