And John returned these greetings in the same good spirit of fellowship. To one it was, "Hello, Tony, how is that new baby at your house?" To another, whose hand was swathed in a dirty bandage, "Take care of that hand, Mack; don't get funny with it just because it's well enough to use again." To another, "How is the wife, Frank, better? Good, that's fine." Again it was, "You fellows on number six machine made a record this week." Again, "Who's the hoodoo on number seven furnace?—four accidents in six days is going some—better look around for your Jonah." And again, "I heard about that stunt of yours, Bill; the kid would have been killed sure if you hadn't kept your head and nerve. It was great work, old man." And to a lad farther down the line, "You'll know better next time, won't you, son?" But there were some who passed John Ward with averted faces or downcast eyes. Here and there there were sneering, vicious glances and low muttered oaths and curses and threats. Not infrequently the name of Jake Vodell was mentioned with approved quotations from the agitator's speeches of hatred against the employer class.
The last of the long line of workmen was approaching the window when Pete Martin greeted the son of his old bench mate with a smile of fatherly affection and pride.
"Hello, Uncle Pete," returned John. "Where is Charlie?"
"I'm sure I don't know, John," the old man answered, looking about. "I supposed he had gone on, I was a little slow myself."
"There he is," said John, as the soldier workman came running from a distant part of the building.
When Captain Charlie came up to them, his father moved on to the window so that for a moment the two friends were alone.
"It's come, Charlie," said John, in a low tone. "Father told me and gave it out to the superintendent to-day."
"Hurrah!" said Charlie Martin, and he would have said more but his comrade interrupted him.
"Shut up, will you? We must go out to the hill to-morrow for a talk.
I'll come for you early."
"Right!" said Charlie with a grin, "but may I be permitted to say congratulations?"