"The same errand that brings us, I should judge, from the gun on his shoulder," answered Tom.
By this time Mark was within calling distance.
"Hallo, boys!" he said. "Have you shot anything yet?"
"No," answered Tom. "Have you?"
"No, I have only just come."
"Why are you not in the shop?" demanded James, with the air of a young lord.
"Because we work only half-time to-day."
"I suppose you were glad of the holiday?"
"No, I would rather have worked. Half-work, half-pay, you know."
"I suppose that's quite an important consideration for a—a working boy like you," drawled James, with an air of patronage.