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ElapticAI-512

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represent the O.E.M., the O.P.A., and the S.P.A.B. "
"No motter," chuckled MacDonald joyfully. "'Tis all the same alphabet.
Hank, laddy, we've been drofted! F'r the duration o' the war the auld
mon in the top hat is takin' our plont over f'r defense wairk. From
now on we're not buildin' bridges and girrders; we're rollin' armament
plate and makin' shells to bomb to the de'il-and-gane yon bloody
scoundrel wi' the foony moostache! What d'ye think o' that?"
Hank said soberly, "Why why, that's wonderful!"
"The United States Government," said Grimper tautly, "will assume all
expenses necessary for the expansion of your facilities. When the war
is over the plant, with all its improvements, will be turned back to
you. Meanwhile, a reasonable profit will be allowed you on all defense
materials produced."
"Gosh," gulped Hank enthusiastically, "that's swell! We won't let
you down, Mr. Grimper. If you'll give me a sort of idea what kind
of additional facilities you need, I'll git right to work on it. We
mustn't waste no time "
Grimper coughed peremptorily.
"Er that's just the point I was about to bring up, Mr. Cleaver. We
must waste neither time nor money. This war effort is far too important
to be disturbed by ahem other factors. That is why I asked Mr.
MacDonald to call you. You see, our organization has its own Estimate
staff, composed of men trained to do precisely the type of work that
will be required here. Consequently, under the new set-up, you will be
an unnecessary cog in an already perfect machine. I er I trust you
understand, Mr. Cleaver?"
Hank stared at him, stricken.
"You you mean you won't want me here any more?"
"To be more accurate," replied the government agent, "we won't need
you. That is, in your present capacity. However, I have no doubt that a
man like yourself, familiar with all angles of the steel industry, will
find a niche "
"But but I ain't!" moaned Hank. "I wasn't in this business till a
couple of weeks ago!"
"What?" Grimper stared at him, then at the owner of the company. "I
don't understand, Mr. MacDonald. Isn't this man your Chief Estimator?
He must have had some experience."
"Hank," confessed the Old Man, "was a puffessor."
"A a what?"
"Teacher," said Hank miserably. "I taught stuff and things at Midland
U. Algebra, a little, an' general science, an' a smatterin' o' this an'
that."
"You mean that with such a background "
"I know whut y'r thinkin'," interposed old MacDonald hastily, "and
'tisna so. Mr. Cleaver airned his job the hard way. The fairst day he
set foot in here I ordered him oot but he's made me swallow my wairds.
Now I consider his sairvices invaleeable."
"Still," frowned Grimper, "Mr. Cleaver's talents are not sufficiently
remarkable to justify his presence on such a project as that which we
are about to embark on. We have our own engineers and mathematicians in
Washington. Why, I am an efficiency expert, myself, trained to handle
emergencies "
At that moment the office door inched open. The Old Man glanced up
worriedly. "Aye, Miss Cole? What is it?"
"Three of the shop foremen, sir. They say they must see you
immediately."
"Ye'll excuse me, Mr. Grimper? Verra well. Let 'em in, Miss Cole."
Then, as three grim and grimy men shouldered angrily into the room:
"Well, what's the motter? Don't stond there glarin' at each ither! Time
is money; speak oop!"
Gorman, foreman of the Maintenance Department, spoke for the trio.
"Well, it's the new tools we ordered, Mr. MacDonald. The shipment just
arrived "
"Then what're ye blatherin' aboot? Ye've been howlin' blue murrder f'r
weeks because they were delayed. Divide 'em oop and get to wairk!"
"That's just it," fumed Hendricks of Testing. "They couldn't send us
our complete order, Mr. Mac. They sent only seventeen sets. And we
can't divide 'em up. They don't come out even."
"Even?" repeated Grimper superciliously.
Mulvaney, the Construction foreman, complained, "I'm supposed to get