"I will, Kate," I returned, and kissed her. Then I shook hands with my uncle.
"Keep a clear weather eye and a strong hand at the wheel, Roger, my boy," he said, "and you'll make port all safe."
"I'll try, Uncle Enos."
A moment more and I was on the cars. Then with an "All aboard" the conductor gave the signal, and the train moved off.
I passed into the car and took a vacant seat near the centre. I had hardly sat down before a well-dressed stranger took the seat beside me.
"Hot day," said he, after he had arranged his bag on the floor beside my own.
"Yes, it is," I replied, "and dry, too."
"Meanest part of the country I've struck yet," he went on. "Don't have any such climate as this out West."
"I should think that would depend on where you come from," I returned, with a short laugh.
"I hail from Chicago. It's hot there, but we get plenty of breeze from the lakes."