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Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936

"The Day's Work - Volume 1"


Others did well - Hawkins reported at the end they all did well
- but Scott was the most excellent, for he kept good coined
rupees by him, settled for his own cart-repairs on the spot, and
ran to meet all sorts of unconsidered extras, trusting to be
recouped later on. Theoretically, the Government should have
paid for every shoe and linchpin, for every hand employed in the
loading; but Government vouchers cash themselves slowly, and
intelligent and efficient clerks write at great length, contesting
unauthorised expenditures of eight annas. The man who wants to
make his work a success must draw on his own bank-account of money
or other things as he goes.
"I told you he'd work," said Jimmy to his wife, at the end of six
weeks. "He's been in sole charge of a couple of thousand men up
north, on the Mosuhl Canal, for a year; but he gives less trouble
than young Martyn with his ten constables; and I'm morally certain
- only Government doesn't recognise moral obligations - he's spent
about half his pay to grease his wheels. Look at this, Lizzie, for
one week's work! Forty miles in two days with twelve carts; two
days' halt building a famine-shed for young Rogers.


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