Kit saw his opportunity. Evelyn did not know his luck had turned. She ought to know and he could go across and see her.
“Before I start on the fresh job I want a holiday and since you must wait for the steel my going will not embarrass you. I’ll undertake to be back in a month, but I’d like to be longer.”
“Oh, well,” said Wheeler, “I knew you had some gall! Now you have built a tank you reckon we ought to stand for a month’s pay?”
“I suppose the pay begins when I get to work, but it’s not important. Anyhow, I must go across to the Old Country. The formula is urgent private affairs.”
Wheeler turned to the manager. “Carson’s obstinate and I reckon his modesty’s not conspicuous, but I’ll be accountable for his coming back on time.”
The other nodded, and Wheeler said to Kit: “You can pull out when you like, and when you claim your pay I guess the clerk will meet the bill. There’s another thing—we can fix it for you to get a free ride to Montreal.”
Kit thanked him and went back to the tank. Soon afterwards the train steamed off, and sitting in the grass he lighted his pipe. Wheeler was a useful friend. On the surface the fellow was a bully, and where he ruled a slacker’s lot was hard, but Kit knew him for a first-class sort. All the same he did not want to think about Wheeler.
Evelyn’s letters bothered him. It looked as if she bore some strain and got tired. Well, he was engaged to marry her and so long as she was willing the engagement stood. When he saw her he would know; but she must join him in Canada. He could get a house at Fairmead, and Carrie Austin would be kind. To picture Evelyn’s ruling a home like Carrie’s was hard, but Kit began to see she was not the girl her lover ought to leave alone.
Then he knocked out his pipe and smiled, a rather moody smile. He admitted his luck was remarkably good. He had conquered, but in the circumstances his conquering was a grim joke. Alison was gone and all was flat. When he looked forward he saw a long, dreary road. Yet there was no use in brooding, he must brace up and push ahead.
By and by the cook called him for supper; and two or three days afterwards he started for Montreal. When he arrived in Canada he went second-class; now he travelled by Pullman, but the hope he had known had vanished.