Patsy smiled back. “Do ye know, lad, I’ve not had a morsel of breakfast this day. Have ye any money with ye, by chance?”

The tinker stopped, put down his kit, and hunted about in his rags where the pocket places might be; but all he drew forth were his two empty hands. He looked down the stretch of road they had come with an odd twist to his mouth, then he burst forth into another laugh.

“Have ye been playing the pigeon, and some one plucked ye?” she asked, and went on without waiting for his answer. “Never mind! We’ll sharpen up our wits afresh and earn a breakfast. Are ye handy at tinkering, now?”

“You bet I am!” said the tinker. It was the longest speech he had made.

At the next farm Patsy turned in, with a warning to the tinker to do as he was told and to hold his tongue. It was a thoroughly well-kept-looking [Pg 58]farm, and she picked out what she decided must be the side door, and knocked. A kindly-faced, middle-aged woman opened it, and Patsy smiled with the good promise of her looks.

[Pg 58]

“We are two—down on our luck, and strangers hereabouts. Have ye got any tinkering jobs for my man there? He’s a bit odd and says little; but he can solder a broken pot or mend a machine with the best. And we’ll take out our pay in a good, hearty meal.”

“There be a pile of dishes in the pantry I’ve put by till we was goin’ to town—handles off and holes in the bottom. He can mend them out on the stoop, if he likes. I’ve got to help with berry-pickin’; we’re short-handed this season.”

“Are ye, just? Then I’m thinking I’ll come in handy.” Patsy smiled her smile of winning comradeship as she stooped and picked up a tray of empty berry-boxes that stood by the door; while the woman’s smile deepened with honest appreciation.

“My! but you are willing folks; they’re sometimes scarce ’round here.”

“Faith, we’re hungry folks—so ye best set us quickly to work.”

They left the tinker on the stoop, surrounded by a heterogeneous collection of household goods. Patsy cast an anxious backward glance at him, but [Pg 59]saw that he was rolling up the rags that served for sleeves, thereby baring a pair of brawny, capable-looking arms, while he spread his tools before him after the manner of a man who knows his business.

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