Oh, it's a great life!"
Barnes sat down on the edge of a watering-trough and began filling his
pipe.
"You are not obliged to do this sort of work, Dillingford," he said.
"It would give me pleasure to stake--"
"Nix," said Mr. Dillingford cheerily. "Some other time I may need help
more than I do now. I'm getting three square meals and plenty of fresh
air to sleep in at present, and work doesn't hurt me physically. It
DOES hurt my pride, but that's soon mended. Have you seen the old man
this morning?"
"Rushcroft? No."
"Well, we're to be on our way next week, completely reorganised,
rejuvenated and resplendent. Fixed it all up last night. Tommy Gray
was down here with two weeks' salary as chauffeur and a little extra
he picked up playing poker in the garage with the rubes. Thirty-seven
dollars in real money. He has decided to buy a quarter interest in the
company and act as manager. Everything looks rosy. You are to have a
half interest and the old man the remaining quarter. He telegraphed
last night for four top-notch people to join us at Crowndale on
Tuesday the twenty-third. We open that night in 'The Duke's Revenge,'
our best piece. It's the only play we've got that provides me with a
part in which I have a chance to show what I can really do.
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