Poor Fred! His laugh died away, and, turning very white, he leaned back in his corner, while Bess answered their inquisitive neighbor with an icy politeness, as she gave the boy's hand an encouraging pat. The brutal abruptness of the question was more than the child could bear, and it was long before he could speak or join in the conversation. Rob, meanwhile, was vowing vengeance. His opportunity soon came.
Directly in front of him, in the seat vacated by his enemy, sat a middle-aged man, who was carrying in his pocket a small gray kitten, probably a gift to some child at home. Rob had noticed the little animal as the gentleman came in, and from time to time he had turned to peep over at it, when its owner was absorbed in his reading. At length the man laid aside his paper, and turned to give his attention to the cat, which, however, was nowhere to be found. He began to search about for it, looking rather anxious. A sudden, naughty idea flashed into Rob's brain. Rising with an air of polite sympathy, he inquired in a loud and cheerful voice,—
"Can't I help you, sir? Which was it, a rattler, or just a common snake?"
The effect was instantaneous.
"Massy on us!" piped the aged heroine of the bonnet. "Snakes! Ow!" And she climbed nimbly up on the seat, an example quickly followed by her opposite neighbor. And though the cat was soon found and exhibited, the two worthy women sat sideways on the seat, their feet and skirts carefully tucked up beside them, until they left the train at Albany.
"Rob, how could you?" said Bess reprovingly, when quiet was restored.
"I don't care, cousin Bess. She was so mean to Fred that I did it on purpose, and I sha'n't say I am sorry."
And Bess prudently changed the subject.
After a long delay at Albany, our travellers settled themselves anew in their sleeper. Neither of the boys had ever before travelled all night, and it seemed so cosy to go gliding away through the darkness that was slowly shutting in the landscape. There were few people in the car, and Rob prowled up and down, investigating his quarters, and making the acquaintance of the porter; while Bess chatted with Fred, at ease once more now that his dreaded neighbor had departed.
"I wish people wouldn't say such things," he told Bess. "Once in a while I forget, but somebody always reminds me again, and it just makes me feel as if everybody was watching me."