“Never mind,” replied Uncle Dick. “It’s a race to see who will tire first: the right side or the wrong, and I think I know.”
“What’s to be done next?” said Uncle Bob.
“Let the men know that we are ready for them to come back to work if they like to do so,” said Uncle Jack.
“Why not get fresh hands altogether?”
“Because they would be just as great children as those we have now. No; let us be manly and straightforward with them in everything. We shall fight for our place, but we will not be petty.”
“But they will serve us some other scurvy trick,” said Uncle Bob.
“Let them,” said Uncle Dick; “never mind. There,” he cried, “those bands will be fit to use to-morrow with this clear dry air blowing through. Let’s go home now and have a quiet hour or two before we come to watch.”
“I wish,” said Uncle Jack, “that the works joined our house.”
“Go on wishing,” said Uncle Bob, “and they won’t join. Now, how about telling the men?”
“Let’s call and see Dunning and tell him to start the fires,” said Uncle Dick; and as we went back the gate-keeper was spoken to, and the old man’s face lit up at the idea of the place being busy again.