"So you want to be took care of for the night, youngster," he said.
"Yes, sir," said Robert.
"Well, I guess the old woman can accommodate you. Our house is big enough, and you won't take up much room. Are you a-travelin' far?"
"Yes, I am going to New York."
"To York. That's a pretty long journey for a lad like you. It's over a thousand miles."
"Yes, it's a good ways, but I guess I can get there."
"Where are you a travelin' from?" was the next question.
"I came from the North," said Robert, evading a direct answer.
"I understand," said the farmer, shrewdly, "you don't want to tell. Well, maybe you've a good reason, and maybe not. That's not my business, only if you're running away from your father or mother, I advise you to go back again. It isn't a good thing to run away from home."