Page:Spider Boy (1928).pdf/36

 could not think of anything else to do or say. He was in such a panic that he was almost ready to pull the bell-rope which would cause the engine to stop so that he might demand that this intruder be ejected from the train.

I'm not, the man was saying. I go there occasionally on business, but my home is in the West. Kansas City. Maybe you've heard of the Abel Morris Company?

Dealing the cards, Ambrose muttered that he hadn't. His voice sounded hoarse and guttural. It seemed to him as if some one else were speaking for him.

Well, that's me. I'm it and it's me.

An apposite response did not occur to Ambrose.

Are you in business? Abel Morris began again.

No. Ambrose turned up the ace of diamonds and directly below it the deuce.

Don't forget the trey, Abel Morris admonished him.

Ambrose managed to murmur, You seem to be an expert at cards.

No, just keep my mind on whatever's going on, that's all. If I play cards, I play cards. There's plenty I'd rather do, but on a train there ain't much choice. I asked you to play with me because I liked your