"Say," he began after a few moments' silence, "them's my potatoes you're a-settin' on."
The tramp growled something unintelligible, and the others vouchsafed no reply whatsoever.
"I guess it must be purty damp out in that field," continued the station-master, "specially for the ladies, and I thought as how I'd let yer know as I was a-makin' some coffee over to the station, and yer could come and get it if yer liked."
"Yes, and get arrested into the bargain," said Spotts.
"I thought of that," replied the man, "and so I've drawed a line onto the platform with this piece of chalk, jest where the boundary be, and so long as yer stays to the northard of it yer can't be ketched."
"How are we to know that that is just the boundary?" asked Banborough.
"'Pears to me you're mighty 'spicious. Anyhow, thar's the line and thar's the coffee. Yer can take it or leave it, jest as yer likes."
"I'd make it worth your while to bring it to us down here," said Cecil.
"Humph!" returned the maker of beverages. "I don't go totin' coffee all round the country, and I'd like to remind yer as potatoes ain't eggs and don't need no hatchin', so the sooner you gets through settin' on 'em the better I'll be pleased." And turning his back he slouched away to the station.
"What do you think about it?" said Banborough to Spotts.