Come, you see the matter clearly, I know.

And you will see that even the mere handling of coal is a scientific matter and not to be sneered at.

Do you know that we weigh every pound of coal we burn?
Thus, we learn the value of the coal we buy; we know to a tee the last penny of cost of every item of production, and we learn which firemen are the most wasteful, which firemen, out of stupidity or carelessness, get the least out of the coal they fire." The superintendent beamed again.

"You see how very important the little matter of coal is, and by as much as you learn of this little matter you will become that much better a workman--more valuable to us, more valuable to yourself.

Now, are you prepared to begin ?" "Any time," I said valiantly.