Page:Frank Packard - On the Iron at Big Cloud.djvu/332

 into whose ears he had so often poured the tales of his cherished aims and ambitions.

Speckles covered the stairs three steps at a time, in his new-found exuberance. Spence looked up from his key and listened as Speckles told his story.

"So you're Healy's contribution to economy, eh?" he said when Speckles had finished. "And he won't take you back?"

"No," said Speckles.

"Well, that's pretty rough. But I don't see how I can help you any, Speckles. I haven't any rights over Healy, you know."

Speckles hesitated a moment and fidgeted nervously from one foot to the other. "I know you ain't," he began, "but I thought maybe you'd put me on here."

"W-what!" ejaculated Spence. Then, smothering a laugh at the sight of Speckles' woebegone countenance, he demanded gravely "You mean dispatching?"

Speckles nodded.

"No, no, Speckles, that would never do. You go back and see Healy. I'll do what I can for you with him."

Twon't do no good," said Speckles hopelessly. "I've asked him twice already."

"Well, ask him again. Look here, Speckles, it's up to you to square yourself with Healy, somehow or other. If you want your job very badly, you ought to be sharp enough to find a way of getting it. Go on, now."