"Nothing of the sort! What do you take me for? Think I'm some kind of tramp?" objected the lad. "Go on and let me alone."
The brakeman looked closer. He observed that the boy was soaking wet, but that, despite this, he was well dressed.
"What are you, if not a tramp?"
"I'm with the show."
The brakeman laughed long and loud, but Teddy was more interested in the man's easy poise on the swaying car than in what he said.
"Wish I could do that," muttered the lad admiringly.
"What's that?"
"Nothing, only I was thinking out loud."
"Well, you'll get off at the next stop unless you can prove that you belong here."
"I won't," protested Teddy stubbornly.