A sunny smile of recollection overspread the old man's face.
"Ain't you hungry?"
"I dunno," considered he without interest. "Mebbe I am. Yes, now you speak of it, I will own to feelin' a mite holler. Can't you hand me a snack to eat as I go along?"
"You'd much better come in an' have your breakfast properly."
"Oh, I don't want nothin' much," the altruist protested. "Just fetch me out a slice of bread or a doughnut. We've got to get at that pump of Zenas Henry's. I'm itchin' to know what's the matter with it."
Celestina looked disappointed.
"I've been savin' your coffee fur you since seven o'clock," murmured she reproachfully.
"That was very kind of you, Tiny," Willie responded with an ingratiating glance into her eyes. "You just keep it hot a spell longer, an' I'll be back. Likely I won't be long."
"You've been workin' five hours on your own pump!"
"Five hours? Pshaw! You don't say so," mused the tranquil voice. "Think of that! An' it didn't seem no time. Well, it's a-pumpin' now, Celestina."