He chuckled.
"Boy," he said, "have you a little brother who is very fond of going to school ?" "Nope," said the boy.

(It seemed to be a family word.) "I've got a brother, but he don't sound like that." "You ought to be in school yourself, boy.

What's your name ?" "Zerubbabel Burk." "Is that all ?" "Yep.

Bubble for short." "Have you ever known what it is to be hungry ?" "Three times a day, before meals!" "Well, I'm starving.

Do you belong to the Boy Scouts ?" "Betyerlife." "Well, look here.