Part 3 (1/2)
The President shook his head reprovingly, and Brockway fancied he could feel the cold gray eyes pinning him against the part.i.tion.
”Certainly not; I am afraid you don't sufficiently consider your duty to your employers. I not only authorize the change--I desire it. I shall request it if you do not.”
Brockway winced under the patronizing tone, but he was determined not to let pride stand in the way of better things. So he said, ”Thank you for helping me out. I'll have the change made at the dinner station, and we'll try not to annoy you any more than we can help.”
That ended it, and he was no nearer the penetralia of car Naught-fifty than before. Mr. Vennor turned to go, but at the door he bethought him of the crippled range.
”A water-pipe has burst in our kitchen range,” said he. ”Can we get it repaired this side of Denver?”
Brockway considered it for a moment. Back of his pa.s.senger department service there was an apprentices.h.i.+p in mechanics, and he was weighing the scanty furnis.h.i.+ngs of the engineer's tool-box against the probable askings of the undertaking. It was a chance to show his good-will, and he concluded to risk it.
”Hardly. We don't stop long enough at the division station. Is it a very bad break?”
”Indeed, I know nothing about it. The cook tells me he can't use the range.”
”May I go in and look at it?” Brockway asked.
Now President Vennor, upon recognizing Gertrude's acquaintance of the previous summer, had determined to prevent a renewal of the intimacy at whatever cost; but he abhorred _tables d'hote_ and railway eating-stations, and was willing to make some concessions to avoid them.
So he gave the coveted permission, and a minute later they were in the kitchen of the private car, inspecting the disabled range.
”It isn't as bad as it might be,” Brockway announced, finally. ”I think I can stop the leak with what tools I can find in the engineer's box.”
”You?”
”Yes; I'm a machinist by trade, you know. I earned my living at it awhile, before I went into the pa.s.senger department.” Brockway found a certain measure of satisfaction in running counter to the presumed anti-craftsman prejudice of the man of inherited wealth.
”I'm sure it is very good of you to offer, but I couldn't think of troubling you,” the President said, sparring to gain time in which to perfect a little plan which had just suggested itself.
”Oh, it's no trouble; I shall be glad enough to help you out.”
”Very well, then--if you wish to try. I will make it worth your while.”
Brockway straightened up and met the appraising eyes unflinchingly.
”Excuse me, Mr. Vennor, but you've mistaken your man this time,” he said, steadily. ”I'll gladly do it as a kindness--not otherwise.”
The President smiled. ”I beg your pardon, Mr. Brockway,” he apologized, with the faintest possible emphasis on the prefix; ”we shall be most grateful if you will come to our rescue upon your own terms. I presume you won't have time before noon?”
”N--no,” said Brockway, glancing at his watch and generously burying his pique with the provocation; ”but I'll attack it as soon as we leave Moreno. It won't take long.”
Mr. Vennor bowed, and saw his newly pledged servitor safely out upon the hamper-laden platform. He cherished a little theory of his own respecting the discouraging of youthful and sentimental intimacies, and it was based upon conditions which Brockway's proposed undertaking might easily fulfil. Gertrude had been distinctly pleased with the young man the preceding summer. Other things had happened since, and, fortunately, Fleetwell was along to look after his own interests. None the less, it might be well for them to meet under conditions which would make it impossible for the pa.s.senger agent to pose as Gertrude's social equal.
Accordingly, the President sought out the porter and gave him his instructions.
”William, that young man will come in this afternoon to repair the range. When he is well at work, I want you to come and tell me.”
IV