"WELL, Steve, I hear you joined the new union last night," said Mr. Penton, halting in the drift where Rush was directing some changes in the work of his shift.
The Iron Boy flushed.
"Yes, sir. I hope you have no objection to my having done so."
"Not in the least. We have nothing to fear from such upright men as you in the union. I wish they were all of the same calibre. I want to thank you for the speech you made last night. Such words do much toward steering the men in the right direction. I may say that I am very glad you decided to join."
"I had decided not to do so, until I met and talked with you before going to the meeting last evening."
"How so?"
"You gave me a new point of view. I decided that it was my duty to join and I did so. Do you think Mr. Carrhart will mind when he hears of it?"
"He knows all about it now. He knew that the meeting was going to take place, perhaps even before you learned of it," answered the superintendent, with a twinkle in his eyes. "Of course that is confidential, you understand."
"Certainly, sir."
"You may be sure that when he understands the circumstances he will offer no objections. I know all about what took place last night, and I heartily approve of your part in it. We have means of knowing what is going on in our mines. We have to do these things for our own protection."