“Oh, no.” Jessie refused the proffered seat. “We’d rather you’d sit there, Ezra. The boys and I can do just as well with these railroad ties that are piled up here. Has 589 gone by yet?”
Ezra took out his watch. “She’s due in just five minutes. I thought I heard her whistling for Boyds a while ago. She’s on time to-day.”
“May I hold the flag?” said Jessie eagerly. “It has been such a long time since I did.”
“To be sure ye may,” returned Ezra, taking the flag from where it stood leaning against the door. “Yes, I thought so; she’s whistling for the cut.”
So far Jessie had monopolized the conversation and now Walter spoke up. “Have they put on any new engines, Ezra?”
He shook his head. “No, Leander still runs old 61 and keeps her shining.”
“Any accidents?” asked Max.
“Glad to say ther hain’t. Come near being one down by Millersville the other day.”
“Tell us about it.”
“Have to wait till 589 has went by. Here, honey,” he turned to Jessie. “Get up and be all ready. She’ll whistle in a minute for our crossing.”