Page:Harry Castlemon - The Steel Horse.djvu/145

 away, except to slick it up a little," said Mrs. Moffatt. "Now, is there anything I can do for you before I say good-night? Hadn't you better let me bring up a little lunch for fear that you may get hungry before morning?"

"I don't care for any, because I never eat during the night. When I once fall asleep, I don't know any thing more till daylight comes. There's nothing you can do, thank you," replied Roy.

The motherly housekeeper was evidently disappointed because the boy did not make some complaints or order something, for she lingered as if waiting for him to speak again, while Willis walked the floor with his hands behind his back. He was lost in a brown study from which he presently aroused himself to say:

"Very well. If there is nothing we can do for you, we'll bid you good-night If you want anything you know how to get it."

"I'll be shot if I do," said Roy, mentally. "Rowe Shelly must be a queer chap if he has to be waited on during the night. If that's the way he has been brought up he had better stay at home as long as he can, for he'll