My temper was up in an instant. I took a step forward with the intention of pulling the old red-haired buck off his seat, when my mate put in a word on my behalf.
"He knocked out Carroty Dan in Burn's model," said Joe, by way of recommendation, and my anger gave way to pride there and then.
"If that is so he can take off his coat too," said the old fellow, pulling out his clasp-knife and restarting on the rod. "Hammers and jumpers are down in the cuttin', the dynamite is in the cabin at the far end on the right. Slide."
"Come back, lean-shanks," he called to me as I turned to go. "What is your name?" he asked, when I turned round.
"Dermod Flynn," I replied.
"You have to pay me four shillin's when you lift your first pay," said Davis.
"That be damned!" interrupted Moleskin.
"Four shillin's," repeated Red Billy, laying down his clasp-knife and taking out a note-book and making an entry. "That's the price I charge for a pair of boots like them."
Moleskin looked at my boots, which it appears he had stolen from Red Billy in the morning. Then he edged nearer to the ganger.
"Put the cost against me," he said. "I'll give you two and a tanner for the understandin's."