"Well, it's Maggie and the babies now," Judson went on. "They don't starve, Mac, not while I'm on top of earth. Don't you reckon you could make some sort of a play for me with the boss, Jim? He's got bowels."
McCloskey did not resent the familiarity of the Christian name, neither did he hold out any hope of reinstatement.
"No, John. One or two things I've learned about Mr. Lidgerwood: he doesn't often hit when he's mad, and he doesn't take back anything he says in cold blood. I'm afraid you've cooked your last goose."
"Let me go in and see him. He ain't half as hard-hearted as you are, Jim."
The trainmaster shook his head. "No, it won't do any good. I heard him tell Hallock not to let anybody in on him this morning."
"Hallock be—Say, Mac, what makes him keep that—" Judson broke off abruptly, pulled his hat over his eyes, and said, "Reckon it's worth while to shove me over to the other side, Jim McCloskey?"
"What other side?" demanded McCloskey.
Judson scoffed openly. "You ain't making out like you don't know, are you? Who was behind that break of Rufford's last night?"
"There didn't need to be anybody behind it. Bart thinks he has a kick coming because his brother was discharged."
"But there was somebody behind it. Tell me, Mac, did you ever see me too drunk to read my orders and take my signals?"