Jim tried to raise another laugh against him, but not succeeding, he turned again upon Adam Livesey, who had been an eager but silent listener.
"You'll be the chap for the new manager to preach to, Adam," said he. "You're the one to take all in and give naught out. Eh, lad! I wish my wife were like you."
Jim's wife was known to possess a shrill tongue and a sharp temper, both of which were easily roused into action, but not easily stilled. Happily for him, he bore both with equal good humour, and either answered jestingly or got out of the way till the storm was over. His words now raised a laugh at his own expense, and when it subsided, the men rose and went back to work again.
Adam Livesey had not seen the new manager when he visited Rutherford's. In fact, he could hardly be called the manager yet. He was only chosen and appointed to fill that post, not actually in it. It would be a month, the men had heard, before Mr. Drummond could leave his present situation to enter upon the new one, and some regrets were expressed on account of the delay. Not, of course, that the men wanted to see anybody else filling the shoes of their grand favourite, Mr. John. But they saw that the latter gentleman was "looking bad," and thought the sooner he was away the better, and the more chance there would be of his coming back well. He was not to take the place of managing partner any more. Mr. Drummond, if all went well, was to be a fixture; but it would be pleasant to have Mr. John in and out amongst them, though taking things more easily than of old.
Adam Livesey said less than anybody about these things, but probably no one thought more of the new manager, or looked more eagerly for his coming, than did the silent striker.
[CHAPTER IV.]
MR. DRUMMOND IN HARNESS.
RUTHERFORD'S got its new manager before the month was out. Mr. John's state of health became alarming, and as he had to be hurried away, an arrangement was made for Mr. Drummond to come at once.
He had not been many days in the place before every workman had come to the conclusion that he was "a cute 'un," and that the person who wanted to "get round him" would have to be up very early in the morning.
Already, however, he had made a favourable impression. An accident happened the very day after his arrival, by which two men were rather seriously hurt, and his conduct on that occasion won the hearts of the lookers-on. He showed such anxiety to spare the injured men any needless pain, was so tender in word and deed, and, when he heard that one of them had an ailing wife, he took such precautions to prevent the bad news from reaching her suddenly.