"The first time?" he enquired.
"I slept out for a whole week."
"There's a good time comin', though we may never live to see it," he said, by way of consolation. "Had you anything to eat this mornin'?"
"A slice of bread," I said; then added, "and a lot of advice along with it from an old lady."
"Damn her advice!" cried the man angrily. "The belly hasn't ears. A slice of bread is danged mealy grub for a youngster."
He stuck his hand in the pocket of his pea-jacket and drew out a chunk of currant bread, which he handed to me.
"Try that, cully," he said.
I ate it ravenously, for I was feeling very hungry.
"By cripes! you've a stomach," said my companion, when I had finished eating. "Where are you for, anyhow?"