whizzed along. The noise was deafening, of bolts and bars, and saws
and chains, with the roar of the great cascade outside. He saw me
and recognized me on my approach, but he could not speak for some
time. It was most monotonous work, I thought. No conversation allowed,
not even possible; the truly demoniacal noise, yet just outside on
the other side of a small window, the open country, the mighty
waters of the ever-boiling "Kettle," or Chauldron, and the steep
spray-washed cliff. Standing on my toes I could, looking out of
Netty's small window, discover all this. The ice was still in the
river, half the fall itself was frozen stiff, and reared in gabled
arches to the sky. I watched the two scenes alternately until at 6
o'clock the wheels ran down, the belts slackened and the men knocked
off.
Netty walked out with me at my request, and learning that he had to
return in an hour I proposed we should have a meal together
somewhere and a talk at the same time. He must have been greatly
astonished at a complete stranger in another walk of life fastening
upon him in this manner, but he gave no hint of either surprise or
fear, and maintained the same mild demeanour I had noticed in him
the day before.
It was darkening rapidly and I did not know where to go for a meal.
Netty told me he ought to go to St. Patrick St. I knew the locality
and did not think it necessary to go all that way, "unless anybody
will be waiting for you, expecting you."
"Oh! not dat I live in a boarding house, my mother--she in the
countree, far from here."
"Then, 'I said,' you can go where you like. Do you know any place
near here where we can get a cup of tea and some eggs? What will do
for you, I daresay, and I hardly want as much."
But he knew of no reliable place and after walking about for a
quarter of an hour we finally went to the refreshment room at the
station and ordered beer and tea and sandwiches.
"I daresay you wonder at my bringing you out here with me. You'd get
a better meal perhaps at your boarding-house. But do you know I've
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