He watched their approach with interest, and even waved a friendly hand toward the two lads.
"Why, evidently he's something of a jolly dog," remarked the surprised Thad, "and there are no chicken feathers around that I can notice.
Hello, bo', getting your five o'clock tea ready, I see." At these last words, called out louder than ordinary, the man in the ragged and well-worn garments grinned amiably.
"Well, now, young feller," he went on to say in a voice that somehow was not unpleasant to Hugh's ear, "that's about the size of it.

I haven't had a bite since sun-up this morning, and I'm near caving in.
Out for a walk, are you, lads ?" "Oh! we live in Scranton," Hugh explained, "and I had an errand up beyond.

We went by another road, and came back this way, which is why we sighted your smoke.

Fact is, Thad, my chum here, has never seen a knight of the railroad ties cooking his grub, and he said he'd like to drop in and learn just how you managed, because he's read so much about how splendidly tramps get on." "That's all right, young feller," said the other, cheerily.

"Find seats on that log yonder.