“Marne? She's down at the house. I told her to go to the old man, but he's kind of ugly and she wont do it. Guess she'll get over being proud one of these days.”
“What's she living on?”
“I thought mebbe I could send her something, if I could get a job up here.”
“I dunno, Bruce. I'll ask the boss. Come around to-morrow noon.”
The following afternoon Bruce joined Hunch's gang as a day-laborer. His muscles were soft, and it was several days before he could do a man's work. One day the gang were carrying heavy timbers at the mill, and Hunch noticed that Bruce's partner on one of the double timber-hooks was muttering. He kept an eye on the pair, and saw that Bruce's hands sagged at every few steps. When the day's work was done he waited outside the mill for Bruce.
“Look here, Bruce,” he said, “I'm on to you.”
“What you talking about?”
“You know what I'm talking about. I seen you soldiering. I just want to tell you that it won't go.”
Bruce was silent for a moment. Then he said:
“Think you've got me down, don't you.”