"Do you youngsters know people here by the name of Kershaw?" began the tall
tramp, standing beside the two boys.
Both remained sitting on the grass. One shook his head. The other said,
"No."
The tramp was silent for a moment. Then it occurred to him that his mother
had taken his stepfather's name and his sister might be married. Therefore
he asked:
"How about a family named Coates?"
"None here," replied one of the boys.
But the other said, "Coates? That's the name of Tommy Hackett's
grandmother."
The tramp drew and expelled a quick, audible breath.
"Then," he said, "this Mrs. Coates must be the mother of Tommy's mother. Do
you know what Tommy's mother's first name is?"
"I heard Tom call her Alice once."
The tramp's eyes glistened.
"And Mr. Coates?" he inquired.
"Oh, I never heard of him. I guess he died long ago."
"And Tommy Hackett's father, who's he?"
"He's the boss down at the freight station. Agent, I think they call him."
"Where does this Mrs. Coates live?"
"She lives with the Hacketts. Would you like to see the house? Me and Dick
has to go past it on the way home.
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