"Well, Jim," said Peter to the man, when he seated himself, "how's things going these days?"
"Well enough," answered Jim Dalls.
"Ford & Ford got the contract?" said Peter, without a semblance of his gladness over the matter in his own face.
"Yes; they got it; but hell'll be to pay some day for that dirty piece of work," answered Jim Dalls, moodily.
"That's a hard old place to satisfy," remarked Peter.
"Can't be worse than the grafters of this old city," returned Dalls.
"Don't be pessimistic, Jim."
"Don't like to be; but, I say, there'll be a reckoning up some day, I suppose, when the people once wake up, and find out what is going on in this old town."
"Ah, the people; the dear people," answered Peter; "they don't know enough to eat mud pies."
"Why, haven't they been fed on them a long time, eh, Peter? Their stomachs will revolt at the mess sometime, Peter; then, look out!"