Richard nodded. “Fine morning!” he called.
The man nodded a reply, and shifted his pipe in his teeth and thrust his shovel into the ground. His back was very broad, Richard noticed. There was something mighty in the swing of the great shoulders as they flung up the earth out of the hole.
Richard watched a minute in silence. The man paused and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. He spit casually on his palms and took up the shovel.
Richard’s voice halted him and he put down the shovel and came over to the fence. Richard smiled a little awkwardly.
“I didn’t mean to stop your work. I was wondering what you were going to put there.” He indicated the hole.
The man’s face was broad, and a little stupid. It stared at Richard. Then it looked at the hole.
“It’s a new run I’m making for the hens. The old one’s dusty.”
“I see!... You’ve got a fine lot of birds!” Richard waved a hand.
“Pretty good!” The man eyed them with slow pride. “Got nine eggs yesterday,” he said.
“It’s a great morning!” responded Richard.