“Very pleased to hear it. And I've written a few lines here that might be useful, saying you've worked well the time you were here.”
He handed me the paper.
A just and kindly man, the Captain. He said nothing now about the idea of laying on water to the house next spring; I took it he'd his reasons for that, and did not like to trouble him.
Then he asked:
“So you're going off now to work on the railway?”
I said I was not quite sure as to that.
“Well, well... anyhow, thanks for the time you've been with us.”
He moved towards the door. And I, miserable weakling that I was, could not hold myself in check, but asked:
“You won't be having any work for me later on, perhaps, in the spring?”
“I don't know; we shall see. I ... well, it all depends. If you should happen to be anywhere near, why.... What about that machine of yours?”