The breakfaster in the cheap restaurant tried to make conversation with
the man beside him at the counter.
"Awful rainy spell--like the flood."
"The flood?" The tone was polite, but inquiring.
"_The_ flood--Noah, the Ark, Mount Ararat."
The other bit off half a slice of bread, shook his head, and mumbled
thickly:
"Hain't read to-day's paper yit."