“I tell you it’s a burning shame for that husky fraud to impose himself on that poor old couple the way he has done,” grumbled Thad.  “He’s no more sick than I am.  Didn’t you see how he devoured all that food at a sitting?  No man wasting away with consumption could stuff like that.  And see how fat he is in the bargain; why, he’d make two of old Mr. Hosmer.  Yet they are ready to take him in, feed him three meals a day, give him the best bed in the house, most likely, and for an indefinite time.  Uh! thunder! it makes me furious just to think of it.”

Hugh was amused at seeing Thad act in this way, because it was so unlike his usual cool demeanor.  Undoubtedly he was, as he had said, indignant from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.

“We’ll both of us keep an eye on Brother Lu,” remarked Hugh, “and try to learn his little game.  You know he asked us to come over and see him, when he would keep his promise to tell us some thrilling yarns about his adventures in many lands.”

“Oh!  I’ve no doubt the fellow has a slick tongue in his mouth, and can spin stories that haven’t a particle of foundation except in his brain.  He’s no ignoramus, that’s sure, and if he hasn’t traveled in all those countries he’s read about the same, and can talk everlastingly about things he imagines he’s seen.”

“But all the while we’ll be watching to trip him up, don’t you see?” the other continued.  “I’ll set Matilda to fixing a trap or two that will settle the question about his being the man he says he is.”

“Oh!  I’m not thinking so much about that!” burst out Thad, “even if he is Luther Corbley, her own brother, that isn’t the main trouble.  It’s about his fastening himself like a barnacle or a leech on them that I hate to consider.  It makes me think of bow the Old Man of the Sea, after being helped by Sindbad the Sailor, refused to get off his benefactor’s shoulders when asked.  That’s what this chap means to do, get so comfortably settled that nothing can dislodge him.”

“We’ll see about that,” snapped Hugh, his eyes sparkling now.  “Some of the good people of the town who are interested in the welfare of Mr. Hosmer and his wife will object, and so Brother Lu may have to trudge along again.”

“I’m afraid you’ll run up against a snag when you try that sort of thing, Hugh.  That snag will be the affection of Matilda.  She’s awfully tender-hearted, you can see, and would rather go hungry herself than that any one related to her should suffer, even a little.  Just think of that beast being installed in their home.  Every time he thinks it necessary to stir up a little extra sympathy he’ll start that old gag of coughing to work again.  Oh!  I feel as if I could willingly help duck him in Hobson’s Mill-pond, or give him a ride out of town on a rail some fine night.”

Hugh had to laugh at hearing this honest outburst.

“No use talking, you don’t seem to have much feeling for the woes of a poor old homeless tramp, Thad,” he told his chum.