"How many years?"
"Nineteen."
"There's been some pretty lively shake-outs on the system lately," continued Bucks; the veteran conductor looked at him coldly. "I am trying to shape things here for an entire new deal."
"Don't let me stand in your way," returned Dave grimly.
"That's what I want to see you about."
"It needn't take long," blurted Dave.
"Then I'll tell you what I want——"
"I don't resign. You can discharge me any minute."
"I wouldn't ask any man to resign, Dave, if I wanted to discharge him. Don't make a mistake like that. I suppose you will admit there's room for improvement in the running of this division?"
Dave never twitched. "A whole lot of improvement," Bucks, with perceptible emphasis, added. It came from the new superintendent as a sort of gauntlet and Dave picked it up.