Page:Bob Chester's Grit.djvu/126

112, word had been passed of the instructions to Jenkins, and the man hailed as Tom gladly accepted his task, saying:

"Come on, Bob. When you've tasted Sweeney's wheat cakes, you'll always remember Randolph."

"I think I'll remember it, anyway," smiled Bob, as he set out for the restaurant with his guide.

Bob's appetite had not been in the least impaired by the unpleasant experience through which he had passed, and he ate three plates of griddle cakes.

"My, but those cakes sure were good," he observed, smacking his lips with relish.

His companion, with good-natured patience, had watched the boy eat, and, as Bob expressed his approval of Sweeney's food, he said:

"Better have another plate. You'll never get any cakes quite as good as Sweeney's till you get back to Randolph."

Though with evident reluctance, Bob declined, and, after paying for the meal, they returned to the station.

By the time of their arrival, more trainmen were on duty, and to each the story of Bob's getting left had been told.

As a result, when they saw the boy, they smiled at him, and proffered good-natured comments.