It looked as if he was in some danger of becoming a romantic fool, but he put the portrait carefully away, Soon after he had done so a man came in, and sitting down, lighted a cigarette.
"I wanted to see you, Festing, but hadn't a chance all day," he said.
"Probably you haven't heard that I've got orders where to send the staff when the bridge is finished, as it will be soon." Festing looked up sharply.

Kerr was his superior in the company's service, but they were on good terms.
"I haven't heard.

I'm anxious to know." Kerr told him, and Festing's face hardened.
"So Marvin and I go on to the next prairie section! Since they want the best men on the difficult work in the mountains, it means that we're passed over." "It does, in a sense," Kerr agreed.
"Then I think I know why you came," said Festing, who pondered for a few moments.

He had courage and decision, and it was his habit to face a crisis boldly.

"Now," he resumed, "I'm going to ask your opinion of my prospects if I stay on the road ?" "Your record's good.