The book proved to be a several-years-old copy of the Congressional Record, containing the speeches made before Congress at that time, and in addition to being heavy, it was more than dull.

Whitey couldn't understand how Dan found it "absorbin'." Dan certainly must be a serious-minded person, despite his fat.

And yet, from over near the bunk house, Whitey heard loud laughter coming from several men.

He reflected hopefully that perhaps the hands were not so solemn as Dan Brayton.
But this hope was ill-founded, for later, when Dan took Whitey to the bunk house, he found all the punchers who were there were reading serious-looking books.

Whitey supposed that "like master, like man," they must be taking after Dan Brayton.