CHAPTER XIX
KIT TAKES HIS CUE
Wheeler put down the Montreal newspaper and knitted his brows. Snow beat the office windows and the lamp burned unsteadily. A savage wind screamed in the trees and the river brawled. Winter ought to have begun, and Wheeler had expected keen frost to follow the snow, but all the snow that fell melted, and when it went cold rain swelled the pools along the muddy track.
Had the frost arrived, Wheeler would have sent off most of the men and cut expenses by keeping only the limited number he could usefully employ. Now, however, he must carry on as long and fast as possible. The drawback was, he might not finish all he began, and when the spring floods hurled the ice floes against the piers, girders and columns must be firmly stayed. A Canadian river’s breaking is an impressive spectacle.
In the meantime, frost and thaw and rain embarrassed the gangs. The boys did not earn their pay, and at the head office construction costs were keenly scrutinized. Then, as soon as the real frost did begin, the company would call Wheeler East and he must fix on the proper man to superintend the cutdown gang. Austin was a good engineer, but sometimes he got sick, and he could not handle the boys like young Carson. Austin’s soberness was not altogether an advantage; when the gang was tired and sullen, Carson’s humorous banter went farther than a command.... Wheeler turned his head, for the door rattled and Kit came in.
Kit’s long boots were muddy and wet snow stuck to his slickers. He shook the melting slush from his hat, and when he faced Wheeler his look was grim. Wheeler thought the boy was riled.
“Hello!” he said. “Is somebody making trouble?”
“The boys are not,” said Kit. “Have you decided who’s to stay at the bridge?”
“You’re pretty frank,” Wheeler remarked. “If you like, you can have the job.”
“Then, I suppose you’re sending Austin to the workshops?”
“Where the company sends Austin has nothing to do with you.”