"I thought I might make a better living than at home."
"And have you?"
"So far I have, but my prospects don't appear to be very bright just now."
"Don't be too sure of that. Suppose you join us."
"I shall be glad to do so, if you will let me."
"Then we'll shake hands to our better acquaintance. I'd offer you a pipe if I had an extra one."
"Thank you; I don't smoke."
"Well, lad, perhaps you're right. Smoking won't do any good to a boy like you."
"If I am to join you would you mind telling me your plans?"
"Of course I will. We're miners, as you might guess from our looks. We've been up in Gilpin County, and have done pretty well. We've got some claims there yet, but we wanted a little change and have been on a little prospecting tour."