Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the Great North Woods

You Ruffian! Frontispiece
Copyright MCMXXI By THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY

Hippy Wingate stepped from the train that had just pulled into the little Red River Valley station and turned to observe Tom Gray and the others of the Overland Riders detrain. In one hand Hippy carried a suitcase, in the other a disconsolate-looking bull pup done up in a shawl strap.
Be you Gray?
Hippy turned to look at the owner of the voice, not certain that the question had been addressed to him. He found himself facing an uncouth-looking youth who, despite the heat of an early September afternoon, wore a heavy blanket Mackinaw coat, rubber shoes and thick stockings tied at the knee. Khaki trousers, and a cap of the same material as the coat, completed the typical lumberjack outfit, though Tom Gray was the only member of the Overland party who recognized it as such. The youngster's hands were thrust firmly into the pockets of the Mackinaw coat as he stood eyeing Hippy with a sullen expression on his face.
Am I what? demanded the Overland Rider, putting down the suitcase and dropping the pup, much to the animal's relief.
I said, be you Gray?
Not yet, old chap. I am threatened with a bald head early in my young life, but I thank goodness I am not gray. Why? What's the joke?
The loungers on the station platform laughed, and the boy shifted uneasily and leaned against a station pillar.
'Cause I was to meet er feller named Gray who was comin' in on this train.