“Nonsense,” Jim replied. “Friends are people who stand by one another through thick and thin. Friends are people who have something in common which they both defend. You and I have something in common, Smiley-face.”
“And what be that?” the man asked.
“Why,” laughed Jim, “we’re both up against it. We’re both failures in life, tramps by nature. As you say, we both know.”
Smiley-face stared at him, not altogether understanding his words.
“You’d better come across the garden with me now,” said Jim.
The poacher shook his head. “No, sir, I reckon I’ll bide ’ere, and go back through the woods.”
“But Pegett’s there with his gun.”
Smiley-face grinned. “’E’ll not get I, never you fear!”
Jim turned and walked towards the gate; and presently his friend the poacher moved stealthily away into the gathering dusk, and soon was lost amongst the trees.