“Won’t you share our supper?” said Joe to their companion.
“Thank ye, stranger, I don’t mind if I do,” answered the Pike man, with considerable alacrity. “My fodder give out this mornin’, and I hain’t found any place to stock up.”
He displayed such an appetite that Mr. Bickford regarded him with anxiety. They had no more than sufficient for themselves, and the prospect of such a boarder was truly alarming.
“You have a healthy appetite, my friend,” he said.
“I generally have,” said the Pike man. “You’d orter have some whisky, strangers, to wash it down with.”
“I’d rather have a good cup of coffee sweetened with ’lasses, sech as marm makes to hum,” remarked Mr. Bickford.
“Coffee is for children, whisky for strong men,” said the Roarer.
“I prefer the coffee,” said Joe.
“Are you temperance fellers?” inquired the Pike man contemptuously.
“I am,” said Joe.