“A foreman knows where he mustn’t make trouble.”
“I fancied that was so, because your cook allowed me to stay. I expect a good cook is important.”
“A good smith’s important, and Bill’s my pal. Come on. We’ll see what he can do.”
They went along the track and Kit inquired for the children.
“They’re pretty spry,” said Gordon. “When I dumped them at Portage they allowed if I met up with you I was to send you back. They’re surely keen on conjuring.”
Kit laughed and remarked that he thought Portage was on another line. Gordon nodded.
“That’s so. I went back to Winnipeg. Mr. Austin’s at the Strathcona, and since I was some time in Ontario, I wanted to see if he’d kept my job.”
“But has a gentleman at Winnipeg something to do with the bridge?”
“Mr. Austin’s the company’s engineer; he took a holiday. Wheeler’s head construction boss, but he’s not around all the time. If we can fix you up, you’ll like Austin. He’s a pretty good sort of boss.”
Kit was not interested, and by and by Gordon stopped at the forge. The smith threw a glowing iron in a tank and looked up. He was a big fellow and his lined face was wet by sweat. He knitted his brows as if he frowned unconsciously.