WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BROOK
The hoarse whistle of the mill, proclaiming the noon hour, sounded out fully half a minute, and when it ceased the machinery in the mill also came to a stop, and men and boys poured forth to get their dinner. Some went to their homes, or to their boarding-places, while others, who lived at a distance and had brought their dinner with them, sought shady and cool spots along the bank of the stream.
Dale did not quit work instantly, as Philip Sommers had done. He, too, was carrying a board, and this he placed on a pile a hundred feet away, as originally intended. Then he straightened out the whole pile of boards, work that took another five minutes of his time.
"Hullo, Bradford, working overtime?" cried one of the mill hands, who had quit at the first sound of the whistle.
"Sure," answered Dale pleasantly.
"Of course the old man is going to pay you double wages for it."
"Guess he will—if I ask him."
"You won't get a cent. Better stop and make the job last."
"I'll stop, now I have finished," answered Dale, and walked away with a quiet smile.
Although neither Dale nor the other workman knew it, John Larson overheard the conversation.