Our borings show up all right--most of it is tough gneiss--but if we strike gravel or shale again it means more timbering, of course.

Perhaps another year--perhaps a few months.

I am not giving you my own opinion, for I've had very little experience, but that is what Bolton thinks--he's second in command next to Mr.MacFarlane--and so do the other fellows at our boarding house." And then followed a discussion on "struts," roof timbers and tie-rods, Jack describing in a modest, impersonal way the various methods used by the members of the staff with which he was connected, Morris, as usual, becoming so absorbed in the warding off of "cave-ins" that for the moment he forgot the table, his hostess and everybody about him, a situation which, while it delighted Peter, who was bursting with pride over Jack, was beginning to wear upon Miss Felicia, who was entirely indifferent as to whether the top covering of MacFarlane's underground hole fell in or not.
"There, now, Holker," she said with a smile as she laid her hand on his coat sleeve--"not another word.

Tunnels are things everybody wants to get through with as quick as possible--and I'm not going to spend all night in yours--awful damp places full of smoke--No--not another word.
Ruth, ask that young Roebling next you to tell us another story--No, wait until we have our coffee and you gentlemen have lighted your cigars.

Perhaps, Ruth, you had better take Mr.Breen into the smoking-room.