Page:Hopkinson Smith--Tom Grogan.djvu/55

 under the sheds, were dirt-carts tilted forward on their shafts, and dust-begrimed harnesses hanging on wooden pegs.

A strapping young fellow in a red shirt came out of the stable door leading two other horses to the trough. Babcock looked about him in surprise at the extent of the establishment. He had supposed that his stevedore had a small outfit and needed all the work she could get. If, as McGaw had said, only boys did Grogan's work, they at least did it well.

Crane mounted the porch first and knocked. Babcock followed.

“No, Mr. Crane,” said a young girl, opening the door, “she's not at home. I'm expecting her every minute. Mother went to work early this morning. She'll be sorry to miss you, sir. She ought to be home now, for she's been up 'most all night at the fort. She's just sent Carl up for two more horses. Won't you come in and wait?”

“No; I'll keep on to the fort,” answered Crane. “I may meet her on the road.”

“May I come in?” Babcock asked, explaining his business in a few words.

“Oh, yes, sir. Mother won't be long now.