Page:Frank Packard - On the Iron at Big Cloud.djvu/317

 "I don't know," MacDonald answered. "Let's go and see if we can't talk him over."

At the sight of Thornley and the dispatcher heading for the lunch-room, the trainmen and station-hands fell in behind them.

MacDonald halted a few paces from the door.

"You boys, stay here," he directed. "Let me see what I can do."

Thornley and the men halted obediently, while MacDonald went on and knocked at the door. There was no response.

"But—Mr. Damrosch!" he called. "It's MacDonald. I want to talk to you."

This time his knock was answered, and so suddenly as to cause him to jump back in surprise.

"Vell, vat iss it?" demanded Dutchy, scowling belligerently.

"We're—we're—" stammered MacDonald, his confidence a little shaken at the proprietor's attitude. Then, desperately: "Oh, I say, confound it all, Dutchy, we're hungry."

"So!" Dutchy's exclamation was a world of innocent astonishment and kindly interest.

"Yes," went on MacDonald, diplomatically. "You bet we are. It's been a good joke, but you've had the best end of it. Let's call it quits, there's a good fellow, and—and give us all a handout."

Dutchy listened attentively to the appeal.

"I, a fool iss no longer yet, don'd it?" he queried softly.