He smiled. "I thought that you would know my habits. I don't smoke."
"So you were going by and came up to see me?" I asked.
"Yes. I was not sure that I would know you. You are a little older than I thought, a little—stouter, but dear me, how you have lost your hair! But you have quite forgotten me."
"My dear boy," I said, "you have the advantage of me. Where have I seen you? There is something familiar about you and I am sure that I have seen that brown suit before."
"We have never really known each other," the boy replied. "We met once, but only for an instant. But I have thought of you since that meeting a great many times. I lay this afternoon on a hilltop and wondered what you would be like. But I hoped that sometimes you would think of me. Perhaps you have forgotten that I used to collect railway maps and time-tables."
"Did you?" I replied. "So did I when I was a little younger than you are.
Perhaps if I might see your face, I would know you."
"It's nothing for show," he replied, and he kept it still in shadow. "Would you mind," he said at length, "if I ate an apple?" He took one from his pocket and broke it in his hands. "You eat half," he said.
I accepted the part he offered me. "Perhaps you would like a knife and plate," I said. "I can find them in the pantry."
"Not for me," he replied. "I prefer to eat mine this way." He took an enveloping bite.
"I myself care nothing for plates," I said. We ate in silence. Presently:
"You have my habit," I said, "of eating everything, skin, seeds and all."