Time went on. They had been there on the siding for fifteen, perhaps twenty minutes. Suddenly he was conscious of a low, blurred humming which rose from the main tracks alongside, and a succession of whistle blasts at a great distance broke the monotony. The buzz of the rails grew louder and the whistles shrieked again. His tussle with discomfort was about to begin once more, but he felt infinitely rested and refreshed. He sat up straight and peered down the tracks for the sight of a headlight.
“Hullo!”
The head and shoulders of a man appeared over the top of the car, followed by a short, wiry body.
“What the hell’s this? How’d you get here?”
“I’ve got to get to Mississippi City, to-night. I’m from the University up at Athens.”
“Don’t care where yer from. This here ain’t no place fer you.”
“Say, old man, you’re not goin’ to put me off now, are you?”
“H’m.” The man leaned over and inspected him familiarly.
“Yeh, you don’t look much like a bum. University up at Athens, eh? I’ve heard some about you God damn loafers, raisin’ hell on trains. Why the Christ can’t you ride in the cars where you belong?”
“Didn’t have the price.”