"I'd like it," he mused, "but, by thunder, that loafer's worse 'n a temperance lecture." And he threw the whiskey out of an open window.
The bottle he placed behind the screen; then, with one last disgusted look at his host, whose head was hanging sideways with the mouth open, he left the house.
CHAPTER XI THE NEWPORT LETTER
Blake went back through the grove of firs to the cove bank and there he saw the boy again. He had sunk down on his back and, as Blake approached, appeared to be asleep. The man stooped over him.
"Hello, kid," he said.
As the boy did not move, Matt shook him gently by the shoulder. Bert jumped up with a start.
"I didn't—didn't hear you," he said. Then, looking up and seeing that it was a stranger, he got to his feet.
"Does—does Uncle Nick want me?" he asked.