Oakley jumped up.
“I don't allow anybody to talk like that to me. I am running this for Cornish. They are his interests, not mine, and you can start in and manufacture all the public sentiment you damn please.” Then he cooled down a bit and felt ashamed of himself for the outburst.
“I am not going to be unfair to any one if I can help it. But if the road's earnings don't meet the operating expenses the general will sell it to the M. & W. Do you understand what that means? It will knock Antioch higher than a kite, for the shops will be closed. I guess when all hands get that through their heads they will take it easier.”
“That's just the point I made. Who is going to enlighten them if it isn't me? I don't suppose you will care to go around telling everybody what a fine fellow you are, and how thankful they should be that you have stopped their wages. We can work double, Oakley. I want Hoadley kept because he's promised me his influence for Kenyon if I'd exert myself in his behalf. He's of importance up at the Junction. Of course we know he's a drunken beast, but that's got nothing to do with it.”
“I am sorry, but he's got to go,” said Oakley, doggedly. “A one-horse railroad can't carry dead timber.”
“Very well.” And Ryder pulled in his legs and rose slowly from his chair. “If you can't and won't see it as I do it's your lookout.”
Oakley laughed, shortly.
“I guess I'll be able to meet the situation, Mr. Ryder.”
“Perhaps you will, and perhaps you won't. We'll see about that when the time comes.”
“You heard what I said about the M. & W.?”