Sure enough, when the fence was reached the boy saw that the stranger was dressed in the regulation khaki of Uncle Sam, with the U.S. in block letters at the vent of the collar and two stripes on the left sleeve.
"Broke down?" the boy queried, dropping his plow-handles.
The corporal grunted and continued to potter with the machine.
"You in the army?" the boy continued, leaning on the fence.
"You bet!" assented the soldier. Then, looking up and taking in the big, raw-boned physique of the youngster, "Ever think of joinin'?"
"Can't say's I did."
"Got any friends in the army?"
"Nope."
"Fine life." The motor cycle was attracting little of the recruiting officer's attention now, for he was a recruiting officer, and engaged in one of the most practical phases of his work.
"Them soldiers have a pretty easy life, don't they?" Evidently the boy was becoming interested.