“Ain’t I going with the machines?” demanded the youngster of Carl.
“What would your folks say?” demanded Ben.
“Huh!” said the delivery boy. “He hain’t got no folks. He just sleeps around and gets his meals wherever he can.”
“I sent him after the gasoline,” Carl explained, “and paid him in advance. He came back all right.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t come back?” asked Kit, indignantly.
Before the question was answered, Jimmie pulled Ben lustily by the sleeve. Carl saw what was in the boy’s mind and remained silent.
“Come on, let’s take him!” Jimmie urged. “He’s all right.”
“I’m willing,” replied Ben. “In fact, I’m getting tired of riding alone in the Bertha. The little fellow will be good company.”
The delivery boy departed quickly, and Kit at once began making himself useful, assisting Jimmie in the preparation of dinner.
“Don’t you ever think I can’t cook!” Kit exclaimed, as he sat by the fire watching the skillet of ham and eggs. “Don’t you think I don’t know how to get up a square meal. I’ve helped cook lunches many a time.”