Then he bent toward the small stranger, bringing his face close to the child's, while his thick lips wreathed themselves in a smile ingratiatingly genial.

"You can't look me squarely in the eye and say you prefer the tavern to these scholarly surroundings ?" he said banteringly.
"I reckon I'll be glad to stop," answered Hannibal.

The judge clapped him playfully on the back.
"Such confidence is inspiring! Make yourself perfectly at home.

Are you hungry ?" "Yes, sir.

I ain't had much to eat to-day," replied Hannibal cautiously.
"I can offer you food then.