human
Pity a man has to stop to eat on a day like this, isn't it, Mr. Massingale? he laughed; and then:
gpt
I wouldn't hurry. There's another day coming; or if there isn't, we'll all be in the same boat. How is Steve?
human
The boy's comin' along all right now; he allows to be out in another week 'r two. Then the inevitable question:
gpt
They're sayin' on the street that you're lettin' out half o' your men--that so?
human
I've heard it so often that I've come to believe it myself, he admitted, adding:
gpt
Yes, it's true. After which he asked a question of his own:
human
Have you been doing something in real estate this morning, Mr. Massingale?
gpt
All I could, mumbled the old man between mouthfuls.
human
But I cayn't do much. If it ain't one thing, it's another. 'Bout as soon as I got that tangle with the Red Butte smelter straightened out, the railroad hit me.
gpt
How was that?
human
Same old song, no cars; try and get 'em to-morruh, and to-morruh it'll be next day, and next day it'll be the day after. Looks like they don't _want_ to haul any freight _out_ o' here.
gpt
I see, said Brouillard, and truly he saw much more than David Massingale did. Then:
human
No shipments means no money for you, and more delay; and delay happens to be the one thing you can't stand. When do those notes of yours fall due?
gpt
Huh? said Massingale. He was a close-mouthed man, by breeding and by habit, and he was quite sure he had never mentioned the
human
Little Susan
gpt
The notes covering your indebtedness to the bank for the money you've been putting into development work and improvements--I asked when they would become due.
human
Amy hadn't ort to talk so much, he objected.
gpt
Business is business.
human
You forget that there were several other parties to the transaction and that any man's business is every man's in this crazy town, he suggested.
gpt
But you haven't answered my question about the due date. I didn't ask it out of idle curiosity, I assure you.
human
I ain't much of a man to holler when I've set the woods afire myself, he answered slowly.
gpt
But I don't know why I shouldn't yip a little to you if I feel like it. To-day is the last day on them notes, and I'd about made up my mind that I was goin' up the spout on a sure thing for the fourth time since I hit the mount'ins, when this here new excitement broke out.
human
Go on,
gpt
I saw a chance--about a one-to-a-hundred shot. I'd been to see Hardwick at the bank, and he gave me the ultimaytum good and cold; if I couldn't lift the paper, the bank'd have to go back on my indorser, John Wes. I had a little over five thousand left out o' the borray, and I took it and broke for the Real Estate Exchange. Been there for three solid hours, turnin' my little stake over like a flapjack on a hot griddle; but it ain't any use, I cayn't turn it fast enough, 'r often enough, betwixt now and three o'clock.