“Gladly,” replied Ephraim.
As they walked on, Miller, with intent to break the silence, said,—
“I think we shall have rain to-day, Mr. Batterby.”
“Perhaps; it looks like it. What does the signal service say?”
“What does the what say?”
“The signal service. What are the indications?”
“I haven’t the least idea what you mean, Mr. Batterby.”
“Why,” said Ephraim, timidly, “were you not aware that a bureau in the War Department collects information which enables it to indicate approaching conditions of the weather, and that it gives this information to the newspapers?”
“Never heard of such a thing, Mr. Batterby, and I don’t believe it. Somebody has been joking with you. The only weather indications we have are in the almanacs, and they are not at all reliable.”
The two walked along in silence for a time, and then Ephraim said,—