“Well,” said Samuel with a wan smile, “I had begun to.”
He sat down by the roadside, and the other stared at him. “Do you live in Lockmanville?” he asked.
“No, I just came here. I left my home in the country to go to New York, and I was robbed and lost all my money. And I haven't been able to find anything to do, and I'd just about given up and got ready to die.”
“My God!” cried the other in dismay.
“Oh, it's all right,” said Samuel. “I didn't mind.”
The stranger gazed at him in perplexity. And Samuel returned the gaze, being curious to see who it was he had rescued. It was a youth not more than a year or two older than himself. The color had now come back into his face, and Samuel thought that he was the most beautiful human being he had ever seen. He had a frank, open face, and laughing eyes, and golden hair like a girl's. He wore outing costume, a silk shirt and light flannels—things which Samuel had learned to associate with the possession of wealth and ease. Also, his horse was a thoroughbred; and with a rubber-tired runabout and a silver-mounted harness, the expensiveness of the rig was evident. Samuel was glad of this, because it meant that he had rescued some one of consequence—some one of the successful and fit people.
“Just as soon as you're able, come hold the horse,” said the stranger, “and then I'll fix this rein, and take you back and get you something to eat.”
“Oh, no!” said Samuel. “Don't bother. That's all right.”
“Hell, man!” cried the other. “Don't you suppose I'm going to do anything for you?”
“Well, I hadn't thought—” began Samuel.