Larry had started the great engine, and the silent, powerful strokes told him that his father had left it in its accustomed perfect order.
The young engineer was still agitated from his encounter with Croly, and he well knew that this was not likely to be the end of it; but he could not help but smile in response to Joe Cuttle's evident enjoyment of the affair.
"He didn't fancy having you put your grip onto him," said Larry, for the big fireman relished a bit of flattery as well as any one.
"Hi, but didn't he shuffle oot, though, when he heard me after him! A thought ee'd jump oot his shoes the way he went."
"He won't be likely to come here again, unless he is certain you are out of the way."
"Mayhap he'll bother thee again, though, when A's gone home. Thou'lt do well to keep an eye on him."
"I shall take care that he doesn't get in here again, and then I won't have to be to the trouble to put him out."
Joe Cuttle indulged in another of his silent fits of laughter and then returned to his furnaces, which he had to feed pretty constantly while the great engine was using the steam.
The forenoon passed without further incident, and Larry was somewhat relieved that he had not yet seen the superintendent.
He feared that the latter might ask some questions about his father's absence which it would be embarrassing not to answer.