“Where can I see you in the morning?” asked Bob with enthusiasm.
“At ze wharf,” responded Captain Joe. “Any one tell yo’ where to find ze Three Sisters.”
“I’m much obliged,” responded Bob. “I may bring my mother to see you in the morning.”
His face aglow, Bob bid Captain Joe good night, and hurried from the place. Already framing in his mind the allurements of the cruise, he turned into the street, head down.
“Hello there, Kid,” sounded suddenly, as he passed out of the Coffee House. Surprised, Bob paused. Standing on the edge of the sidewalk were two boys—about his own age. Undoubtedly they were the ones he had just seen in the Coffee House. Each carried under his arm a loaf of bread wrapped in paper.
“Hello yourself,” responded Bob. Then, one quick glance establishing the free masonry that exists between all boys of that age, he added: “What’s on your minds?”
Both boys were plainly dressed. One, wearing a soft hat with a colored ribbon band, low tan shoes (needing polishing) and a “snappy” coat, suggested northern styles. The other, not so athletic, wore a cap, a coat that was anything but “snappy,” newly polished dark shoes, and a small, old fashioned “made-up” blue necktie.
“You ah on ouah mind,” answered the latter boy, with a pronounced southern accent.
“And we’re waitin’ to hand you a piece o’ dope,” added his companion.
“We all’s been a watchin’ yo’ an’ Cap’en Joe,” continued the boy of the cap. “An’ we ah a reckonin’ you all’s a strangah.”