"I mane about luggin' the cloth. Sure, an' no b'y but ye has ever done it."
"I thought it was a part of my work; he told me to do it the first morning I came in, and no one ever spoke to me about it before."
"Oh, by St. Patrick, he'd loaf on ye if he could—the old sour mouth."
This opened Fred's eyes still further, and when he saw Carl he said to him:
"Why didn't you tell me that it wasn't my work to lug the cloth down?"
"Because Mr. Hanks told me that he was going to make you do it, and threatened me if I told you; and I didn't want to do anything to displease him."
"Well, it is all right; I am glad you didn't do anything to make him treat you worse, but there may be a time ahead for a reckoning between him and me. I know of other tricks of his, and I'll make good use of my information when the time comes."
"I hope you won't have a fuss with him and leave the flockers. My work is so much easier now," replied Carl anxiously.
"Oh, no; I guess I won't leave them right away," returned Fred. "I am glad if you are getting along better than you did before I came."
"Oh, yes, I am; and my back isn't so lame now I don't lift any; but I don't seem to get strong. It seems as if I couldn't do the heavy work anymore if I tried."