MORNING SERIAL

ABRAHAM had no right to send him to work in the steel shop. Not while there was another and older apprentice in the coreshop. Neither did the foreman have the power to make this arrangement. It was a violation of a trade union ruling on the question of seniority right.

But was the matter worthy of discussion? Let them send him to the steel shop if they liked. He would not be destined to remain there for long.

He smiled bitterly. What a thought! Had he done anything to facilitate his leaving? He was to become a writer. It was funny! Too funny for words! Where was his ambition, now? Everything had gone wrong.

Since Sally’s illness his whole world had tumbled around him. He felt no inclination to do the slightest task in the foundry, and he knew that at home he would find no solace in his moods. When Frank was told of Abraham’s decision, he shook his head.

“Nothing we can do about it, Ieuan,” he said. “There’s nothing unconstitutional in Lu wanting to take you out of the coreshop. You’ve been there two years. But why worry over that? It’s a small matter, considering that you hope to be out of the foundry completely before very long. That is, if you’re still interested that way?” he hinted.

“Oh yes, Frank,” Ieuan assured. “I’ll be out of this place soon. I’m determined.”

“Good! Then you’re back with your learning again?”

Ieuan hesitated. “Well, not exactly, Frank, but I mean to. Just let this month pass and then I’ll set about it in earnest.”

“You’d better,” Frank advised, “because once you’re out here good and proper you’ll get into the same rut we all find ourselves in. You won’t have the time nor the will to do anything much after your ‘day’s work’s done. You’ll just sit around waiting for tomorrow – counting the days until Saturday comes along.

“I know it, Ieuan, I’ve been through the same thing myself. Be wise to yourself, boy. Don’t be a fool to keep on postponing all the time. You’ve set yourself an ambition – well, go on, do something about it. You can’t expect to sit back and wait for things to fall nice and quietly into your lap.”