"I'm Ernie Caspar, Miss—I would say Ma'am."
The young woman regarded him with swift and sympathetic interest.
"Oh, I know you," she said. "You used to write from India.... So Mr. Pigott never mentioned me! I'll just speak to him when he comes in."
She saw the bag in his hand, and her mouth became firm.
"Been to see your people?"
"Just looked in on dad, 'm."
She eyed him sharply.
"And your brother?"
Ern said nothing.
"Well then, you leave your bag here, and step across the Moot to the office. Southdown Transport Co., back of the Star by the Quaker Meeting-house. You'll sleep the night here."