midday
It was a challenge to Steve which he could not long resist . Bandy-legs kept watching him glance toward the connecting doors . His whole manner was that of a boy who , although making no sound , might be `` sicking '' one dog on another . No sooner had Steve left the capacious fireside chair than Bandy-legs slipped into it ; and after that he was not meaning ' to be dislodged until the summons came to gather about the table to discuss the midday meal . Bandy-legs liked eating as well as the next one ; but he loved his ease more , and was well content to have some other fellow do the hard work of getting the meal ready ; his time would come when he had to `` work his jaws '' in disposing of his portion of the spread . The more Max looked about him the greater his wonder became . All manner of thoughts surged through that active mind of his .