"That so?" nodded Knight, and proceeded to whistle industriously.
Slavin looked hurt at the repulse. In a minute or two he blurted out again:
"I see there’s a new invention for economizing steam in short-run engines. Sort of studying up things, see? This here book----"
"What book is it, Slavin?" inquired Ralph pleasantly.
"Yes, what’s this high jinks in railroad education you’re firing at us?" demanded Knight, suddenly seizing the volume from Slavin’s hand. "Oh, my! hold me! ha! ha!" roared the veteran towerman. "Listen, Fairbanks: ’Technical Topography of High Grade Elevations in Asiatic Railways.’ Oh, me! Oh, my! Slavin, you take the cake!"
"Mr. Knight, I didn’t come here to have my feelings trampled on," spoke Slavin in tones of offended dignity.
"Right, old son. You came here to show how hard you’d got the railroad fever--hey, you spoony? Why, it’s sticking out all over you. I had it once. They all get it at first. Why, you ambitious young lunkhead," cried Knight, slapping Slavin’s shoulder with a hearty whack that nearly knocked him over, "you’re simply tickled to death about something, and I can tell it in three words."
"What is it, Mr. Knight?" asked Ralph innocently.
"Good!" cried Ralph, grasping Slavin’s hand in congratulation. "Is it true?"
"Why, yes, it is," answered Slavin proudly. "So, what’s the harm in trying to post up, hey?"
"My son," observed Knight in a patriarchal fashion, "posting up and looking railroady is all right, but there’s many a long, tough reach in plain buttons, and a long distance away from combustion and high grades, before you even begin to guess what you know about practical railroading. Who did you see--the master mechanic?"
"What--not put on duty here with us?" exclaimed Ralph in a really pleased tone.
"So am I," put in Knight--"I’ll catch your mistakes like a true friend, and help you along like a brother."
"I am not going to make any mistakes," declared Slavin confidently.
"No, sir. I’ve watched you two closely. It’s simple. You get 7. Pull 7. Muscle does it."
"That so?" continued old Jack, in a slow, pitying drawl. "Well, well! Now, just to demonstrate, suppose you take a test?"
"I’m your man!" cried Slavin, pulling off his coat and striking an attitude.