“My goodness, if that steak isn’t fit to eat I hope I never see one that is,” Jack gasped as he watched the rich juice oozing out.
The woman flushed with pleasure at the praise and, a moment later, brought in a large dish of potatoes fried a rich brown, and a plate of fresh biscuits.
“There, I hope you’ll be able to make out,” she said as she sat the last dish down.
“If we can’t we ought to starve,” Bob declared as he helped himself to a piece of the steak which was all of three inches thick.
And as he told Jack afterward, it was just as good as it looked. So tender that they could almost cut it with a fork, they both declared that it was the best steak they had ever eaten. For dessert they had a huge piece of apple pie covered with rich yellow cream.
“I never ate a better dinner in my life,” Bob declared as he pushed back his chair. And Jack heartily seconded the statement.
Both the man and his wife seemed much pleased at their praise.
“And now how much do I owe you?” Bob asked as he pulled out his pocketbook.
“Not a cent,” the man shook his head. “You are welcome to what ye had.”
Bob started to insist but the man refused to listen and, seeing that he would be offended if he pushed the matter further, he gave up the argument and both boys thanked the man and his wife for their kindness.