“Where were you goin’?”
“To the hotel. I am privileged to stay there until to-morrow. Thank Heaven I was obliged to pay in advance.”
“Alluz safer,” said he. “And then what?”
“To-morrow?”
“Yes. To-morrow.”
“I don’t know. I must find employment, and earn enough to get home with.” To write for funds was 138 now impossible through very shame. “Home’s the only place for a person of my greenness.”
“Why did you come out clear to end o’ track?” he inquired.
“I was ordered by my physician to find a locality in the Far West, high and dry.” I gulped at his smile. “I’ve found it and shall go home to report.”
“With your tail between your legs?” He clapped me upon the shoulder. “Stiffen your back. We all have to pay for eddication. You’re not wolf meat yet, by a long shot. You’ve still got your hair, and that’s more than some men I know of. You look purty healthy, too. Don’t turn for home; stick it out.”
“I shall have to stick it out until I raise the transportation,” I reminded. “My revolver should tide me over, for a beginning.”