The stranger pursed up his thin lips and looked at the boy carefully. Seemingly he made up his mind that he might venture the question, for he asked:
“From the city?”
“Yes,” was the brief answer.
That there might be no mistake the man persisted:
“Philadelphia?”
Nat nodded. Clearly the stranger was nothing short of a bore.
“I’ve just ridden from there myself,” said the lean stranger. “There is much excitement there, eh?”
Nat nodded.
“I’ve seen places where there was a great deal more demonstration, so to speak,” went on the man, “but for genuine interest, felt of the heart, that city is ahead of them all.”
“I’ve thought that it seemed impressed with the importance of the occasion,” said Nat. “But that is scarcely to be wondered at.”