They were the first really friendly words that had been spoken to him, and the tears came into his eyes in spite of himself.
Captain Tom Hendy turned away his head. He did not like to see tears in a strong man's eyes, and he guessed that Rufus must have suffered terribly for a few friendly words to affect him so much.
"It is kind of you, Capt'n Tom, to say so much," Rufus said, at length, "but I am too hopelessly stranded ever to do very much."
"Oh, that is all my eye," Captain Tom answered, with a brusque laugh. "You know the old saying, 'Rome was not built in a day.'"
"Yes, I know the old saying, but I fear it won't help me very much. Still, I shall be glad to forget my disappointment for a while in my old tasks."
"Disappointment is the seed-ground out of which grow the fairest flowers," was the cheery answer.
Captain Tom was a Methodist local preacher, and was somewhat given to coining phrases that had a pleasant sound. Moreover, he had a big, kindly heart, a fact which was often unsuspected by those who did not know him.
"Can I begin work soon?" Rufus questioned, after a pause.
"On Monday morning. Jackson finishes on Saturday, so you can just take up the old threads as though there had been no break."
"You are really awfully kind," Rufus said, impulsively. "You see, I come back with a damaged reputation."