XXIV.
"Are the steam gigs wet ones, too?" asked Fred.
"Yes, and they use the oldest handles of any, because this is the last time the cloth is gigged, and it won't stand much scraping. After it leaves these gigs it goes to the drier, and then goes back up stairs."
"When it goes back up there, I suppose it goes through a dozen or two more processes, does it not?"
"Well, it goes through quite a number. I believe it is sheared the first thing, and then it has to be brushed and sheared again."
"What kind of a thing is a shear, any way, such as is used for shearing the nap from cloth? I can't imagine how it works, though I have often wished to see it in operation."
"I don't believe I can tell you so you will understand it. You had better go up and see for yourself."
"You can give me an idea about it. I don't want to go up there now without showing some better reason than curiosity. Mr. Farrington might think it queer, and get an idea that I am neglecting my work, as he said Tim Short did."