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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West "

Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

"

"All right, Mr. Jones. Excuse me a moment while I issue instructions for

the postponement."

McNeil rose and faced the manager.

"Are you really going to postpone this important play?" he demanded, in a

voice of wonder.

Goldstein was glad to vent his chagrin on the producer.

"No insolence, sir!" he roared. "Come with me, and," as he dragged McNeil

to the door and paused there, "if you dare lisp a word of what you've

overheard, I'll fire you like a shot!"

When they had left the room Maud said with a puzzled air:

"I can't understand your power over Goldstein, Mr. Jones. He is a

dictator--almost a tyrant--and in this place his word is law. At least,

it was until you came, and--and--"

"Don't try to understand it, Miss Stanton," he answered in a careless

manner. "Do you think you can manage to crawl to the automobile, or shall

we carry you?"

"I'll bet Goldstein has murdered someone, and Mr. Jones knows all about

it!" exclaimed Flo, who had been an interested witness of the scene.

Maud stood up, with her sister's support, and tested her lame ankle.

"It still hurts a little," she said, "but I can manage to hobble on it."

"Get your sister's wraps," the boy said to Flo, "and we'll send her

straight home."

"I expect Goldstein will dock my salary, as well as fine Flo," remarked

Maud musingly, as she waited for her hat and coat. "He obeyed you very

meekly, Mr. Jones, but I could see a wicked glitter in his eye,

nevertheless."

"I am sure the manager will neither dock nor fine either of you," he

replied reassuringly. "On the contrary, you might sue the company for

damages, for leaving that lumber where you would fall over it."

"Oh, no," she returned, laughing at the idea. "We have signed contracts

waiving any damages for injuries sustained while at work on the premises.

We all have to do that, you know, because the business is hazardous at

its best. On the other hand, Mr. Goldstein has a physician and surgeon

always within call, in case of accident, and the service is quite free to

all the employees.

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