He slid to a despondent sitting posture upon the door sill and gazed wretchedly upon the ground, while his companion went to replenish the licorice water at the hydrant--enfeebling the potency of the liquor no doubt, but making up for that in quantity.
"Your mother goin' with you to the cotillon ?" asked Sam when he returned.
"No.

She's goin' to meet me there.

She's goin' somewhere first." "So's mine," said Sam.

"I'll come by for you." "All right." "I better go before long.

Noon whistles been blowin'." "All right," Penrod repeated dully.
Sam turned to go, but paused.