\"I’masgoodamanasheisanyday，whoeverIam，\"saidthestranger，withhumorousdefiance，\"andcanlickhimoutofhisboots，whoeverHEis。Thatoughttosatisfyyou。Butifyouwantmycertificate，here’syourownletter，oldman，\"hesaid，producingLeonidas’slastscrawlfromhispocket。
\"AndHERS？\"saidtheboycautiously。
Thestranger’sfacechangedalittle。\"AndHERS，\"herepeatedgravely，showingalittlepinknotewhichLeonidasrecognizedasoneofMrs。Burroughs’sinclosures。Theboywassilentuntiltheyreachedthelaurels，wherethestrangertetheredhishorseandthenthrewhimselfinaneasyattitudebeneaththetree，withthebackofhisheaduponhisclaspedhands。Leonidascouldseehiscurvedbrownmustachesandsilkylashesthatwerealmostaslong，andthoughthimthehandsomestmanhehadeverbeheld。
\"Well，Leon，\"saidthestranger，stretchinghimselfoutcomfortablyandpullingtheboydownbesidehim，\"howarethingsgoingontheCasket？Allserene，eh？\"
TheinquirysodismallyrecalledLeonidas’slatefeelingsthathisfaceclouded，andheinvoluntarilysighed。Thestrangerinstantlyshiftedhisheadandgazedcuriouslyathim。Thenhetooktheboy’ssunburnthandinhisown，andhelditamoment。\"Well，goon，\"hesaid。