"You are at work already. I will see to it that you are paid for the time you have been off. It was a rank injustice. But I am going to shift you to another department. How would you like to try the blast furnaces?"
"We are ready to go wherever you put us," answered Rush.
"You proved that by taking the job in the pits. That will take them out of your department, McNaughton."
"Yes; I am sorry, too, for I rather hoped to be able to make up for my shortcoming in this matter."
"You were not to blame, sir," said Steve. "We are very grateful to you for your kind words to-day. Shall we begin in the furnaces to-morrow, Mr. Keating?"
"No, Monday will do. In the meantime I will have your time corrected, so that you will have lost no time by the mistake that threw you out. McNaughton, you will attend to Foley and Kalinski at once?"
"Yes, sir."
The Iron Boys rose.
"Thank you, Mr. Keating. We are more grateful than we know how to express. We will show you that we are both appreciative, and I hope you won't have to be told that we are not doing our duty."
Bowing their thanks the boys left the office, Brodsky having already sneaked out ahead of them. They espied him lurking around the turn in the hall, watching for their coming.