He rose up and went to the further end of the car, where the conductor was taking a minute's rest; coming back with the word that another chance for refreshments would be at Centerville Junction, where they had to wait for the train from Combination.
"Then you and I will go and sup together," he said.
"I don't want any supper," the boy repeated.
"What's the matter? You're not sick?" and the keen eyes made a closer survey.
"The home station is close at hand, then, is it?"
"No, sir. It will not be near _me_ for two years," said Magnus, trying to speak with the proper pride of a young man off on his travels, and far from home, but the boyish voice betraying itself and him.
"Two years!" Mr. Wayne repeated; adding with a breath that was almost a groan, "Two years out of sight of home! You are going to West Point?" he said the next minute in his quick way.
"Yes, sir. But how did you know?" said the boy, rousing up in his surprise.
"Yankees aren't worth a red cent if they can't guess," said Mr. Wayne, smiling. "Well, that settles the question of supper. If you get to West Point in a die-away condition, they'll not take you in; and you will see the home station quicker than you care about, maybe. The first thing they'll tell you at West Point will be to 'brace up,' so you'd better do a little at it before you get there."
If Magnus was half ready to resent the words he could not, for the merry glance that went with them.
"Well, what sort of a place is it?" said Magnus, sitting straight up in his interest.
"One of the very loveliest places on this fair earth," said Mr. Wayne. "With hills and woods and river that you will lose your heart to, and never get it back."
"All sorts of people. As in every other bit of the world. All sorts."
"There is only one sort at home," said Magnus proudly.
"Ah, true! But home is the only exception. And so,
"Be it ever so homely, There is no place like home."
"But even in the home neighbourhood, I think, you can remember varieties?"
"Yes, indeed," said Magnus, smiling. "Chaff Pointer said it was waste time for me to go to West Point, for he knew I'd never get through."
"Well, I'd prove that man a false prophet, if he does belong near home," said Mr. Wayne. "How did 'Chaff' get his name?"