"I know what I'm doing.
You show up around seven or a quarter after, and we'll take a little walk.

Perhaps we might pick up a few facts worth while before we come back; stranger things have happened than that, Thad." "You are the limit," laughed the other, as he swung aside and headed for his own house, doubtless to ponder over the mysterious words of Hugh many times while eating his supper on that Sunday evening.
It was just dark as he started across lots toward Hugh's home; for there was a short-cut which they frequently made use of--trust boys for cutting off corners whenever it is possible, even if they have to vault fences in order to reduce distances.
All the way out to the colored settlement, Hugh kept up an unusually lively flow of talk.

He knew Thad was fairly itching to ask questions, and apparently Hugh did not mean to let him have a chance.
So they finally entered among the humble cottages and cabins where Scranton's colored population lived.

Children were running about the streets shouting in play, even as the first peal of the cracked bell in the little church near by began to sound.
Sarah was at home.

She seemed surprised to see the two white boys.
"How's little Brutus, Sarah ?" asked Hugh.
"Oh! he's all hunky-dory, suh, 'deed an' he is," she replied with a smile.