They saluted with a nod, and began recounting for each other's benefit the daylong-doings of the weather, as it had affected their individual experience and followed their prophecies.

Both had anticipated and foretold a bit of rain before night, and therefore both welcomed the wet with satisfaction.

A monotonous betweenwhiles kind of talk they kept droning, in harmony with the still hum of the air.

From the weather theme they fell upon the blessings of tobacco; how it was the poor man's friend, his company, his consolation, his comfort, his refuge at night, his first thought in the morning.
"Better than a wife!" chuckled the tinker.

"No curtain-lecturin' with a pipe.