"Yes, as much as you. We are both animals, only differently built. You can live on vegetables, but I must have meat and plenty of it, and not cooked too well, either."
"Well, all this leads to nothing; but I should like to ask you a question, Burke, and if you are wise, you will answer it frankly," Uncle Job responded.
"You can ask as many as you like, and I will do as I think best about answering them, Mr. Throckmorton," the other replied, with a soft purr in his voice, as if speaking to a comrade.
"What I want to know is, who told you I was to pass this way to-night, if, indeed, any one told you?"
"Well, really, I should like to oblige you, but you will have to excuse me," Burke answered, looking at Uncle Job as if it pained him beyond expression to refuse his request.
"Then you refuse to tell?" Uncle Job replied, disappointment clearly showing in his voice.
"Thank you, yes; I can't, really. And now may I ask you a question in return?" Burke answered.
"Yes, but I will not promise to answer you," Uncle Job replied, shortly.
"Of course not, Mr. Throckmorton, of course not. It is nothing of importance, anyway."
"Well, what is it, Burke?"