"Nor I--because until now I hadn't the right. All I ask is that you give me your friendship--and a chance--and--well, we'll see." "There's no reason why we shouldn't be friends," said she. "We are already, aren't we?" "Yes--now. I never actually thought so before." "Things have changed," she stated. And her lips closed with a firm pressure as she spoke. "Or I shouldn't have been here inspecting the dam, should I?" Again the smile flashed upon her face. "You may consider this a preliminary inspection to that of your high and mighty directors, and I assure you my verdict--is that the word?--is favorable. Now I must be going to the car. Father likes his meals on time." "And when shall I see you again?" The note of eagerness in his voice set her heart moving a bit faster. If he carried on his engineering work as he did his friendship, no wonder he got things done. "Why, when you wish to call, Mr. Weir. Both father and I shall be pleased to have you come any time." "I'll certainly avail myself of the privilege," said he. "You must really go now?" With a feeling of exaltation at this new turn of affairs he watched her drive away from camp, a feeling that persisted during the succeeding days. The three directors arrived. That was Thursday evening; and Friday and Saturday were devoted to a discussion of construction plans, inspection of the works, analysis of costs and so on. Weir found the men what he expected: quick to comprehend facts, incisive of mind, and though of course not engineers yet able to measure results; while they on their part were appreciative of the exceptional progress made and of his thorough command of the project. They knew the first hour that the right manager was in charge at last. Saturday afternoon Sorenson and Judge Gordon called at headquarters, by appointment, to discuss the grievance held locally against the company. Weir was present at the meeting. "As to whether the Mexican workmen who were discharged were actually giving a full return in work for the wages, as you maintain, gentlemen," said Mr. Pollock, one of the directors and a corporation lawyer from New York, in reply to the visitors' statement, "that is a question not of opinion but of fact." "Fact, yes," Judge Gordon argued. "Fact supported by the evidence of the three hundred workmen against that of a single man, your manager, who had just come." "Are not your three hundred men prejudiced witnesses?" the New Yorker inquired, a slight smile upon his thin face. "No more than is Mr. Weir." "But Mr. Weir is the manager and consequently has the power of decision in such matters." "Not to the extent of revoking unfairly your promise, given orally, to be sure, but still given, to employ local labor." Sorenson was the speaker and his heavy face wore an expression of ill-disguised contempt.