“We couldn’t get the empty cars up from Piedmont for the transfer until to-day; empties are very scarce everywhere now.”
“There always have been empties here when they were wanted until lately. There’s been no head or tail to anything on this division for six months.”
“I’m sorry that you have that impression.”
“That impression is very general,” declared the stockman, with an oath, “and if you keep on discharging the only men on this division that are competent to handle a break like this, it is likely to continue!”
“Just a moment!” McCloud’s finger rose pointedly. “My failure to please you in caring for your stock in an emergency may be properly a matter for comment; your opinion as to the way I am running this division is, of course, your own: but don’t attempt to criticise the retention or discharge of any man on my payroll!”
Dunning strode toward him. “I’m a shipper on this line; when it suits me to criticise you or your methods, or anybody else’s, I expect to do so,” he retorted in high tones.
“But you cannot tell me how to run my business!” thundered McCloud, leaning over the table in front of him.
As the two men glared at each other Rooney Lee opened the door. His surprise at the situation amounted to consternation. He shuffled to the corner of the room, and while McCloud and Dunning engaged hotly again, Rooney, from the corner, threw a shot of his own into the quarrel. “On time!” he roared.
The angry men turned. “What’s on time?” asked McCloud curtly.