“I’ll look after him, Tom. I saw him go into the pattern shop and sized him up as a tough customer. Though sometimes those fellows do mighty good work. And, as you say, we do need an extra man or two.”
Then while Ned plunged into the financial affairs of the company, which was his department, Tom and his foreman went over certain matters that needed looking after. For the Swift Construction Company did a certain amount of manufacturing, and orders were heavy at this season of the year. So it was not until nearly noon that Tom found a chance to ask his chum:
“How’s your father? Did he get over the shock?”
“Somewhat,” answered Ned.
“Of course he isn’t going back there to work?” went on Tom.
“I should say not! He doesn’t know yet what to do. In fact, he’s like a man without a country.”
“Why not bring him here?” suggested Tom quickly. “Jackson tells me that they are rushed out in the shop on certain lines. This will mean more office work, Ned, and I’m sure you’ve already got all you can handle. I’d be glad to have your father here—that is, if he’d like to come.”
“Oh, I’m sure he would, Tom, only——”
“Only what?”
“I know he wouldn’t like to think that you’d taken him on out of charity.”