“That’s very nifty,” said Brent. “It takes me back to the days when I lived in the civilized world. You got it⸺”

“I got it in a package of lemon-drops,” said the boy, with aggressive frankness.

“Which you bought on a train?”

“In a show,” said the boy, “between the acts.”

“Exactly,” said Brent, winking at Tom. “Now sit down and⸺ You like bacon?”

“Sure, I like anything,” said the boy, eating.

“Except Scouts,” said Tom.

“You don’t like ’em, do you?” said the boy, out of a full and busy mouth.

Tom eyed him amusedly. His look seemed to say that he knew the type.

“Was you ever one?” the boy asked.