midday
Mr. Alloway in his violent , rustic way , uttered a good many remarks quite unfit for boyish ears . Tinker paid no heed to him , but chirrupped to Blazer , who came to him in a wondering sulkiness , and with many protesting growls suffered himself to be patted . Alloway put his hands in his pockets , and stood stolidly with his legs wide apart , a picture of florid manliness and grim , but whiskered determination . Some small boys , heavy with their midday meal , came to the gate of the yard , and in an idle repletion exhausted themselves in conjectures as to the true inwardness of Tinker 's relation with Blazer , and Alloway 's absorption in it . Twice the blacksmith came to the smithy door , and a large , slow grin spread painfully over his bovine face . Tinker continued to pet Blazer till the surprised and mollified dog sat down between his feet , and put his head on his knee . Then Tinker began to apply that power of concentration in which he had been trained by his father to the discovery of a method of final escape .