“Getting hints about pumpkin-growing, Abe?”

“No, sonny; jes’ studying how to give spoon-food to infants, and you’ve come in time.”

The old man looked vexed. He suddenly rolled the paper into a ball, and threw it at a lizard.

“It’s mean!” he said; “danged mean!”

“What?”

He held out his hand, and I mechanically gave him my tobacco pouch.

“Ever been to England?” he said.

“Yes; you know I have.”

“Soh! Is the people there white?”

“Of course!”