"Oh, you're welcome to them. I hadn't nothin' else to do."
"Well, that's what I call returning good for evil. Didn't you hear these chaps laugh at you this morning?"
"Yes, but that's nothin'. I'm used to that sort of thing. Folks has laughed at me allus."
"Well, we won't laugh at you now. Have some dinner, if you won't have any pay."
The boy had refused money, but he could not refuse the tempting sandwiches and cakes which were offered to him. His hungry look appealed to the hearts of the other boys quite as forcibly as his comical attitude had before appealed to their sense of the ludicrous.
Now they shared their dinner with him in most hospitable manner. Fortunately Mrs. Hobart was of a generous disposition, and had provided an abundance of food. Otherwise the picnic baskets might have given out with this new demand upon their contents.
"What shall we call you?" said Mr. Hobart to the unexpected guest.
"Sam Smith's my name. I am generally called Sam for short."
"Well, Sam, I think you're right down hungry, and I'm glad you happened along our way. Where do you live, my boy?"
"I've been a-workin' over there in the farmhouse yonder, but they've got through with me, and I'm just a-makin' up my mind where to go next."