Part 22 (1/2)

Not this morning.

GEORGE EGERTON.

(_Takes a coin from his pocket and hands it to the chauffeur_)

You'll take care.

(_He goes out left, examining his face in a small mirror which he has taken out with the coin. The Second Sentry has come in right and stands reading a notice which is tacked on the fence_)

CHAUFFEUR.

By sun-down, don't it?

SECOND SENTRY.

Something of the sort.

CHAUFFEUR.

And the wind sharpening up across the plains.

They'll think twice, won't they, before they stay out?

SECOND SENTRY.

Who signed this name here?

CHAUFFEUR.

Eg--the boss himself.

SECOND SENTRY.

h.e.l.l of a hand he writes.

CHAUFFEUR.

Your partner there Knows about as much of the situation here As a sea-turtle knows of sa.s.safras.

Talks of a match. There's been no match at all.

The old man's never tried to start the mill.

But let a thing like that go up some day.

(_Buck Bentley with an empty nail keg in his hand comes from the mill-yard and sits down with his back to the farther gate-post and begins to fill his pipe_)

CHAUFFEUR.

If you've heard thunder, one of those loud claps That ends the winter, and if you'd lived here And knew the old man's power, then you'd know I'm shooting low when I say they'll be here, If they don't all fall dead upon the way.

They've got to make hay now. Days don't stand still When the old man is moving to and fro.

(_Goes about oiling the machine_)

FIRST SENTRY.