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any surroundings； and he was murmuring to himself； 〃To…morrow！
tomorrow night！〃
There were ladies in that blue plush car for Boston who looked at Lin
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for thirty miles at a stretch； and by the time Albany was reached the next
day one or two of them commented that he was the most attractive…looking
man they had ever seen！ Whereas； beyond his tallness； and wide…open；
jocular eyes； eyes that seemed those of a not highly conscientious wild
animal； there was nothing remarkable about young Lin except stage effect。
The conductor had been annoyed to have such a passenger； but the cow…
puncher troubled no one； and was extremely silent。 So evidently was he a
piece of the true frontier that curious and hopeful fellow…passengers； after
watching him with diversion； more than once took a seat next to him。 He
met their chatty inquiries with monosyllables so few and so unprofitable in
their quiet politeness that the passengers soon gave him up。 At Springfield
he sent a telegram to his brother at the great dry…goods establishment that
employed him。
The train began its homestretch after Worcester； and whirled and
swung by hills and ponds he began to watch for； and through stations with
old wayside names。 These flashed on Lin's eye as he sat with his hat off
and his forehead against the window； looking： Wellesley。 Then； not long
after； Riverside。 That was the Charles River； and did the picnic woods
used to be above the bridge or below？ West Newton； Newtonville； Newton。
〃Faneuil's next；〃 he said aloud in the car； as the long…forgotten home…
knowledge shone forth in his recollection。 The traveller seated near said；
〃Beg pardon？〃 but； turning； wondered at the all…unconscious Lin； with his
forehead pressed against the glass。 The blue water flashed into sight； and
soon after they were running in the darkness between high walls； but the
cow…puncher never moved； though nothing could be seen。 When the porter
announced 〃Boston；〃 he started up and followed like a sheep in the
general exodus。 Down on the platform he moved along with the slow
crowd till some one touched him； and； wheeling round； he seized both his
brother's hands and swore a good oath of joy。
There they stoodthe long； brown fellow with the silk handkerchief
knotted over his flannel shirt； greeting tremendously the spruce civilian；
who had a rope…colored mustache and bore a fainthearted resemblance to
him。 The story was plain on its face to the passers…by； and one of the
ladies who had come in the car with Lin turned twice； and smiled gently to
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herself。
But Frank McLean's heart did not warm。 He felt that what he had been
afraid of was true； and he saw he was being made conspicuous。 He saw
men and women stare in the station； and he saw them staring as he and his
Western brother went through the streets。 Lin strode along； sniffing the air
of Boston； looking at all things； and making it a stretch for his sleek
companion to keep step with him。 Frank thought of the refined friends he
should have to introduce his brother to； for he had risen with his salary；
and now belonged to a small club where the paying…tellers of banks played
cards every night； and the head clerk at the Parker House was president。
Perhaps he should not have to reveal the cow…puncher to these shining
ones。 Perhaps the cow…puncher would not stay very long。 Of course he
was glad to see him again； and he would take him to dine at some obscure
place this first evening。 But this was not Lin's plan。 Frank must dine with
him； at the Parker House。 Frank demurred； saying it was he that should be
host。
〃And；〃 he added； 〃they charge up high for wines at Parker's。〃 Then for
the twentieth time he shifted a sidelong eye over his brother's clothes。
〃You're goin' to take your grub with me；〃 said Lin。 〃That's all right； I
guess。 And there ain't any 'no' about it。 Things is not the same like as if
father was livin'（his voice softened）and here to see me come home。
Now I'm good for several dinners with wines charged up high； I expect；
nor it ain't nobody in this world； barrin' just Lin McLean； that I've any
need to ask for anything。 'Mr。 McLean；' says I to Lin； 'can yu' spare me
some cash？' 'Why； to be sure； you bet！' And we'll start off with steamed
Duxbury clams。〃 The cow…puncher slapped his pocket； where the coin
made a muffled chinking。 Then he said； gruffly； 〃I suppose Swampscott's
there yet？〃
〃Yes；〃 said Frank。 〃It's a dead little town； is Swampscott。〃
〃I guess I'll take a look at the old house tomorrow；〃 Lin pursued。
〃Oh； that's been pulled down since I forget the year they improved
that block。〃
Lin regarded in silence his brother； who was speaking so jauntily of
the first and last home they had ever had。
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〃Seventy…nine is when it was；〃 continued Frank。 〃So you can save the
trouble of travelling away down to Swampscott。〃
〃I guess I'll go to the graveyard； anyway；〃 said the cow…puncher in his
offish voice； and looking fixedly in front of him。
They came into Washington Street； and again the elder McLean
uneasily surveyed the younger's appearance。
But the momentary chill had melted from the heart of the genial Lin。
〃After to…morrow；〃 said he； laying a hand on his brother's shoulder； 〃yu'
can start any lead yu' please； and I guess I can stay with yu' pretty close；
Frank。〃
Frank said nothing。 He saw one of the members of his club on the
other side of the way； and the member saw him； and Frank caught diverted
amazement on the member's face。 Lin's hand weighed on his shoulder； and
the stress became too great。 〃Lin；〃 said he； 〃while you're running with our
crowd； you don't want to wear that style of hat； you know。〃
It may be that such words can in some way be spoken at such a time；
but not in the way that these were said。 The frozen fact was irrevocably
revealed in the tone of Frank's voice。
The cow…puncher stopped dead short； and his hand slid off his
brother's shoulder。 〃You've made it plain；〃 he said； evenly； slanting his
steady eyes