Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 68: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

mF Pee, = as se 234 é “Where do you get this idea of helpin’ women out of machines, an’ other polite _ Ways I suppose you’ve got?” “ That’s what a gentleman usually does,” Royce said. Pete spat out an oath of incredulity. “Gentleman?” he repeated. “ Before Gawd, is there a place in a pavin’ gang for a gentleman?” Royce said’ nothing, and Pete walked away. He sought out a bunch of his men sitting in the cool dark behind the sleeping quarters. “This new man announces himself as a gentleman,” he said. _“ In the mornin’ I expect you all better begin sayin’ ‘ No, sir,’ an’ ‘ Yes, sir,’ to me. ‘If you please,’ and ‘Thank you kindly,’ might not come amiss, neither.”” They caught the spirit of Pete’s jest, and in the morning there was an air of politeness all through the camp. Men bowed gro- tesquely and uttered profuse thanks to each other. Every request was prefaced by a polite “ Please.” At dinner-time the mer- riment reached its height. ‘‘ Please ” and “Thanks ” were so often used that it was a wonder there were enough of those ingra- tiating words to go around. But, like a little learning, excessive po- liteness may be a dangerous thing. Ruth approached the table. A man looked up. Mockingly he asked: “ Please, Miss Ruth, may I have s’more coffee?” “Get up,” said Ruth unexpectedly. The man, amazed, rose. “ Get out of the tent,” Ruth commanded. “ When you come back to supper, just leave _ your funniness at the door.” The man went out. Ruth let her cool, gray eyes travel about the table. The men had been staring at her. At the scorn in her eyes their own eyes dropped to their plates. The meal was finished in silence. The incident bred a swift change in the attitude of the men toward Royce. Mock politeness was superseded by real dislike and hostility. As Royce worked among them they growled at him. One or two of them cursed him. He had nothing ta say in return. THE ARGOSY. Supper was consumed: in absolute silence, so far as talk was concerned. The men gobbled their food with their eyes on their plates. They did not look at Royce. When the meal ‘was finished, Ruth went to her .tent. Through the flap she saw Royce standing in front of the mess-tent. She opened the flap and walked out into the late afternoon sunshine. “ Good evening,” she said “Good evening,” said Royce. be a nice night for a little stroll.” “It would,’ Ruth agreed. They walked down the road, watched by the gang, including Pete. It was hard for the men to refrain from comment, but they knew that comment would not be safe. A storm-cloud had gathered on Pete’s big brow. There was bad weather ahead for Royce. if. RutH and Royce were gone for two hours. The sky was star-choked, and the night music had begun, and scented breezes were stirring the trees when they returned. Standing at the edge of the road, Pete watched them approach. He could not guess what they had talked about in their absence, any more than he had been able to guess what the foreman had been thinking about when he had talked to that foreman over the phone and a pause had come. But he saw, as the two neared him, that their faces were aglow and their eyes bright. He thought they exchanged whispers just before they reached him. He wasn’t sure about that, but suspicion was enough in his present frame of mind. He laid a heavy arm on Royce’s arm. “TY want to talk to you, young fellow,” he said. “ Run along, Ruth.” He had thought Ruth might be defiant again, and he was prepared to let his strong will clash against hers. He was thoroughly aroused. She’d find out she couldn’t rule him. But Ruth obediently ran along and dis- appeared within her tent. Pete confronted Royce, his big face red with anger, and his big fists knotted at his sides. Before he spoke, under the urge of his anger, those “Tt “a + = = + SoS te ee ie en — +i