Page:The gold brick (1910).djvu/60

 *—"I must get over to the house; I'm late, anyway. I was detained—"

"Yes, I know," said Holman, "but I've got to see you. It's something you're interested in, anyway. If you'll just walk along a little way with me."

Once outside, Holman kept on out Sixth Street, and McCray, wondering somewhat, did not demur.

"McCray, you don't know me well," Holman began; "I'm an old-timer—a Has-been, as I overheard a man say this morning. You're a young man; you come from my district—or, perhaps, I'd better say I come from yours. I came here one session, just as you have done, from old Jasper, and I served, in all, four sessions. During that time I saw a lot of life and of men; I learned a lot, too, and then I gave it up—and quit. This morning I came back for a little holiday, and I strolled over to the house to see how the old place looked once more, just as all the Has-beens do; they always manage to get back, some way or another, every session; it's a habit, a fever, a disease—get it once, a fellow never gets over it. Well, this morning, as I stood there looking around I saw you; and that and one thing and another reminded me of something. I