Before he left, however, he was with Carnac for near a week, showing the
procedure and the main questions that might arise to be solved.
"It's like this," said Grier in their last talk, "you've got to keep a
stiff hand over the foremen and overseers, and have strict watch of
Belloc & Co. Perhaps there will be trouble when I've gone, but, if it
does, keep a stiff upper lip, and don't let the gang do you. You've got a
quick mind and you know how to act sudden. Act at once, and damn the
consequences! Remember, John Grier's firm has a reputation, and deal
justly, but firmly, with opposition. The way it's organized, the business
almost runs itself. But that's only when the man at the head keeps his
finger on the piston-rod. You savvy, don't you?"
"I savvy all right. If the Belloc firm cuts up rusty, I'll think of what
you'd do and try to do it in the same way."
The old man smiled. He liked the spirit in Carnac. It was the right kind
for his business. "I predict this: if you have one fight with the Belloc
lot, you'll hate them too. Keep the flag flying. Don't get rattled. It's
a big job, and it's worth doing in a big way.
"Yes, it's a big job," said Carnac. "I hope I'll pull it off."
"You'll pull it off, if you bend your mind to it.
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