Page:Stanwood Pier--The ancient grudge.djvu/378

Rh and asked to see the president. They pointed out to Floyd the enormity of his offense in restoring a man to the pay-roll who had been dropped by the previous management because he was personally obnoxious to his fellow workmen; and they again demanded Tibbs's discharge. They asserted that sentiment in New Rome concerning this matter had already reached "the boiling-point."

"Very well," Floyd replied. "Let it boil. Some time it will boil away."

Caskey began to threaten, and Floyd rose.

"See here," he said, "if you fellows want to make an issue of this matter and call a strike, you'll find me ready, I don't know any issue on which I'd rather go before the public. Good-day to you."

"But, Mr. Halket," interposed Tustin, "just a moment. There's a difficulty about Tibbs that I think you'll be fair enough to see. Tibbs has been dropped from the union—and as you know, it's been long understood that the works employ only union men."

"The answer to that is easy," said Floyd. "Reinstate him. Now I want to hear nothing more on this matter— from now on."

His tone was as peremptory as his words; and when his visitors did not immediately rise to depart, but sat with stubborn hostility showing in their faces, he pressed a bell. A young woman appeared at the door.

"Miss Rand, I'm ready for dictation," Floyd said, and she entered and stood with her note-book hesitatingly. Floyd stood also in silence, looking down on the two men. After a moment Tustin got to his feet, shrugging his shoulders with a sort of insolent good nature and smiling crookedly.

"Oh, very well," he said, and walked toward the door, Caskey following. At the door Tustin turned for a parting word. "I tell you, Mr. Halket, you take the wrong tone toward us."