To Dream Again by Laura Lee Guhrke

Author:Laura Lee Guhrke
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781465977588
Publisher: Laura Lee Guhrke
Published: 2013-04-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Mara and Nathaniel met with Michael the next morning after tea. Quotas were assigned. Michael agreed to place their first order for parts, hire the additional staff, and arrange for a company insignia and sign. Nathaniel would continue receiving orders for trains, while it would be Mara's job to oversee finances.

Nathaniel and Mara promised Michael a final decision on which train accessories to put in production. Percy said he'd have Nathaniel's things moved out of the warehouse and put in storage immediately. Then the meeting was adjourned.

Billy Styles came to visit that afternoon. Nathaniel took him around the factory and showed him all the equipment, stressing what was safe and what was not. At the same time, he kept his promise to Mara, and checked all the machinery again, but everything was in perfect working order.

Nathaniel showed Billy their office, and Mara watched, glad that he explained the fire escape to the child. He then showed Billy the train, and Mara went back to work. But she paused often, lifting her head to watch as Billy asked Nathaniel question after question.

"Bloody smashin'!" the boy pronounced as the train came to a stop. Nathaniel then took Billy into the other room to show him the laboratory, and Mara watched them go, feeling both gratified and relieved.

Although she didn't approve of the language he used, his positive endorsement of the toy reassured her. If Billy's opinion was any indication, the trains were sure to do very well indeed.

"What's that?" Billy's voice floated to her over the top of the partition as he asked his favorite question, and Mara smiled, again lifting her head from her work to listen.

"These are the parts of a steam engine just like the ones downstairs, only smaller," Nathaniel's voice answered. "You see? Here's the cylinder and the piston."

"What are ye goin' to do with 'em?"

"Put them together."

"Can I 'elp?"

"You can be my assistant. See this little wheel here? That's called a gear. If you'll hold it in place, I can fasten the screw."

"Like that?"

"Just like that."

Mara couldn't resist taking a peek. She crossed the room and stepped around the partition to watch. Nathaniel had placed a stool in front of his worktable and Billy was standing on it. Their backs to her, man and boy worked side by side, and she was able to enjoy the sight unobserved.

She listened as Nathaniel continued to give instructions. His "assistant" complied with eagerness, and Mara knew a situation of clear and obvious hero worship was developing right before her eyes.

But it wasn't just Billy who responded to Nathaniel that way. Everyone at Elliot's felt the same. Perhaps it was because people could sense that Nathaniel truly believed in their abilities, or perhaps it was the compliments that seemed to come from his lips so easily. And yet, it was more than that. There was some indefinable quality of leadership about him that inspired people, gave them hope and confidence, made them work harder than they had ever worked before, just to receive a smile from him and a word of praise.

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