Rudyard Kipling

The Day's Work, vol 1 Rudyard Kipling

Book Excerptk, his assistant, cantered along the line on a little switch-tailed Kabuli pony who through long practice could have trotted securely over a trestle, and nodded to his chief."All but," said he, with a smile."I've been thinking about it," the senior answered. "Not half a bad job for two men, is it?""One-and a half. Gad, what a Cooper's Hill cub I was when I came on the works!" Hitchcock felt very old in the crowded experiences of the past three years, that had taught him power and responsibility."You were rather a colt," said Findlayson. "I wonder how you'll like going back to office-work when this job's over.""I shall hate it!" said the young man, and as he went on his eye followed Findlayson's, and he muttered, "Isn't it damned good?""I think we'll go up the service together," Findlayson said to himself. "You're too good a youngster to waste on another man. Cub thou wart; assistant thou art. Personal assistant, and at Simla, thou shalt be, if any credit comes t