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To kape the ga…irls away。
What droll zest he put into it！ He had a red nose； a globular red nose
set on his face like an overgrown strawberry； and from under the worst
derby hat in the world burst his thick curly hair。
〃Oh； I'm so fine and gay；〃 he sang； stepping to the rhythm of his song；
and looking the very image of good…humoured impudence。 I can't tell how
amused and pleased I wasthough if I had known what was to happen
later I might not have been quite so friendlyyes； I would too！
We fell into conversation； and it wasn't long before I suggested that we
stop for luncheon together somewhere along the road。 He cast a quick
appraising eye at my bag； and assented with alacrity。 We climbed a fence
and found a quiet spot near a little brook。
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I was much astonished to observe the resources of my jovial
companion。 Although he carried neither bag nor pack and appeared to
have nothing whatever in his pockets； he proceeded； like a professional
prestidigitator； to produce from his shabby clothing an extraordinary
number of curious thingsa black tin can with a wire handle； a small box
of matches； a soiled package which I soon learned contained tea； a
miraculously big dry sausage wrapped in an old newspaper； and a clasp…
knife。 I watched him with breathless interest。
He cut a couple of crotched sticks to hang the pail on and in two or
three minutes had a little fire； no larger than a man's hand； burning
brightly under it。 （〃Big fires；〃 said he wisely； 〃are not for us。〃） This he fed
with dry twigs； and in a very few minutes he had a pot of tea from which
he offered me the first drink。 This； with my luncheon and part of his
sausage； made up a very good meal。
While we were eating； the little dog sat sedately by the fire。 From time
to time his master would say； 〃Speak； Jimmy。〃
Jimmy would sit up on his haunches； his two front paws hanging limp；
turn his head to one side in the drollest way imaginable and give a yelp。
His master would toss him a bit of sausage or bread and he would catch it
with a snap。
〃Fine dog！〃 commented my companion。
〃So he seems；〃 said I。
After the meal was over my companion proceeded to produce other
surprises from his pocketsa bag of tobacco； a brier pipe （which he kindly
offered to me and which I kindly refused）； and a soiled packet of cigarette
papers。 Having rolled a cigarette with practised facility； he leaned up
against a tree； took off his hat； lighted the cigarette and； having taken a
long draw at it； blew the smoke before him with an incredible air of
satisfaction。
〃Solid comfort this herehey！〃 he exclaimed。
We had some further talk； but for so jovial a specimen he was
surprisingly uncommunicative。 Indeed； I think he soon decided that I
somehow did not belong to the fraternity； that I was a 〃farmer〃in the
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most opprobrious senseand he soon began to drowse； rousing himself
once or twice to roll another cigarette； but finally dropping （apparently； at
least） fast asleep。
I was glad enough of the rest and quiet after the strenuous experience
of the last ； two daysand I； too； soon began to drowse。 It didn't seem to
me then that I lost consciousness at all； but I suppose I must have done so；
for when I suddenly opened my eyes and sat up my companion had
vanished。 How he succeeded in gathering up his pail and packages so
noiselessly and getting away so quickly is a mystery to me。
〃Well；〃 I said； 〃that's odd。〃
Rousing myself deliberately I put on my hat and was about to take up
my bag when I suddenly discovered that it was open。 My rain…cape was
missing！ It wasn't a very good rain…cape； but it was missing。
At first I was inclined to be angry； but when I thought of my jovial
companion and the cunning way in which he had tricked me； I couldn't
help laughing。 At the same time I jumped up quickly and ran down the
road。
〃I may get him yet；〃 I said。
Just as I stepped out of the woods I caught a glimpse of a man some
hundreds of yards away； turning quickly from the main road into a lane or
by…path。 I wasn't altogether sure that he was my man； but I ran across the
road and climbed the fence。 I had formed the plan instantly of cutting
across the field and so striking the by…road farther up the hill。 I had a
curious sense of amused exultation； the very spirit of the chase； and my
mind dwelt with the liveliest excitement on what I should say or do if I
really caught that jolly spark of impudence
So I came by way of a thicket along an old stone fence to the by…road；
and there； sure enough； only a little way ahead of me； was my man with
the shaggy little dog close at his heels。 He was making pretty good time；
but I skirted swiftly along the edge of the road until I had nearly overtaken
him。 Then I slowed down to a walk and stepped out into the middle of the
road。 I confess my heart was pounding at a lively rate。 The next time he
looked behind himguiltily enough； too！I said in the calmest voice I
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could command：
〃Well； brother； you almost left me behind。〃
He stopped and I stepped up to him。
I wish I could describe the look in his facemingled astonishment；
fear； and defiance。
〃My friend；〃 I said； 〃I'm disappointed in you。〃
He made no reply。
〃Yes； I'm disappointed。 You did such a very poor job。〃
〃Poor job！〃 he exclaimed。
〃Yes；〃 I said； and I slipped my bag off my shoulder and began to
rummage inside。 My companion watched me silently and suspiciously。
〃You should not have left the rubbers。〃
With that I handed him my old rubbers。 A peculiar expression came
into the man's face。
〃Say； pardner； what you drivin' at？〃
〃Well；〃 I said； 〃I don't like to see such evidences of haste and
inefficiency。〃
He stood staring at me helplessly； holding my old rubbers at arm's
length。
〃Come on now；〃 I said； 〃that's over。 We'll walk along together。〃
I was about to take his arm； but quick as a flash he dodged； cast both
rubbers and rain…cape away from him； and ran down the road for all he
was worth； the little dog； looking exactly like a rolling ball of fur； pelting
after him。 He never once glanced back； but ran for his life。 I stood there
and laughed until the tears came； and ever since then； at the thought of the
expression on the jolly rover's face when I gave him my rubbers； I've had
to smile。 I put the rain…cape and rubbers back into my bag and turned
again to the road。
Before the afternoon was nearly spent I found myself very tired； for
my two days' experience in the city had been more exhausting for me； I
think； than a whole month of hard labour on my farm。 I found haven with
a friendly farmer； whom I joined while he was driving his cows in from
the pasture。 I helped him with his milking both that night and the next
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morning； and found his situation and family most interestingbut I shall
not here enlarge upon that experience。
It was late afternoon when I finally surmounted the hill from which I
knew well enough I could catch the first glimpse of my farm。 For a
moment after I reached the top I could not raise my eyes； and when finally
I was able to raise them I could not see。
〃There is a spot in Arcadya spot in Arcadya spot in Arcady〃 So
runs the old song。
There IS a spot in Arcady； and at the centre of it there is a weather…
worn old house； and not far away a perfect oak tree； and green fields all
about； and a pleasant stream fringed with alders