Do you object to my smoking here ?" "Don't object to nothin', but this ain't no place to warm up in, see!" Felix looked at him, and a faint smile played about his lips--the first that had lightened them all day.

"I shan't ask you to start a fresh fire," he said in a decided tone; "and now, do as I bid you, and pass me that box of matches." The man caught the tone and expression, placed the box beside him, and joined the group in the rear.

There was a whispered conference, and a stout man wearing a dingy jacket disengaged himself from the others and lounged toward Felix.
"Nasty night," he began.

"Had a lot of this weather this month.

Never see a December like it." "Yes, a bad night.