He was getting home.
The people at the stations grew more unkempt, untamed.

The broad hats and long mustaches of the men proclaimed the cow country at last.

It seemed as though he might at any moment recognize some of them.

At a certain risk to himself he got off the train at one or two points to talk with the boys.

As it grew dark he took advantage of every wait to stretch his legs and enjoy the fresh air, so different in its clarity and crisp dryness from the leaf-burdened, mist-filled atmosphere of Marmion.