Carmella Commands
The truck which served both to carry workers to and from the city and to haul earth from the cellars was waiting at the corner, two of Tommaso’s crew already in it. Three more were picked up at the next street, and others at scattering points along the way.
“Where’s Salvatore?” demanded Tommaso, as he counted his men.
“Don’t know,” answered the driver. “He said last night maybe he had another job.”
Carmella looked quickly at her father. Only two trucks and these few men. No wonder the masons and carpenters were being delayed.
At Greendale Carmella was surprised at the progress made. She turned to the truck driver.
“Is this as far along as Elm Heights?”
“No, no, no!” he said quickly. “They have four trucks and twenty men digging. They’ll beat us with the first houses to sell.”
“What does that amount to?”
“What does it amount to? It amounts to that they will have the first sales, and that means the quickest growth. It means that their land will rise in price quicker than ours. It means that—Santo Dia!—it means that we are slow. No Mussolini! No pep!”
He spat the last word out like an expletive.
Presently Dixon swung into the plat, and Mr. Barrington emerged from the sedan. Tommaso was busy and did not see him. And Mr. Barrington purposely did not see Tommaso. It was his invariable strategy
[190]
