“Thank you,” responded Tom, holding out his hand. “I’m glad you feel no jealousy or resentment. There’s just one thing in life for all of us, now, and that is to win the fight.”
Howe produced the plans and reports, and the three—-for Hazelton was of their number—-sat up until long after midnight laying out plans for pushing the work faster and harder.
At four in the morning, while it was still dark, Tom was up again. He sat at the desk, going over the work once more until half past five o’clock. Then he called Harry and Howe, and the trio of chiefs had a hurried breakfast together.
At six in the morning Mr. Newnham appeared, just in time to find Tom and Harry getting into saddle.
“Not going to stay behind and sit in an easy chair this morning, Reade?” called the president.
“Not this, or any other morning, sir,” Tom replied.
“You amaze me!”
“This construction work requires more personal attention, sir. I may have twenty minutes to dream, in the afternoon, but my mornings are mortgaged each day, from four o’clock on.”
An hour later Mr. Howe joined Reade and Hazelton in the field. Tom had already prodded three or four foremen, showing them how their gangs were losing time.
“If we get the road through on time, and save the charter,” Tom called, on leaving each working party, “every laborer and foreman is to have an extra week’s pay for his loyalty to us.”