"Good afternoon, young gentlemen," he said by way of greeting.
"Good afternoon," returned James stiffly.
He doubted whether the newcomer was a man whom it was worth while to notice.
"What luck have you had? I see you have been out hunting."
"We didn't shoot anything we thought worth bringing home," said Tom.
"I met another boy out with a gun. Perhaps he is a friend of yours."
James and Tom exchanged glances. They understood very well that Mark Manning was meant.
"I think I know the boy you met," said James. "It is a poor boy who works in my father's manufactory."
"What is his name?" asked Lyman Taylor.
"Mark Manning."