"I don't care! We can't sit here and freeze to death. Say, Mr. Conductor, can't we have any more heat? We're really almost frozen."
"Can't help it, little ladies," responded the man, rather gruffly.
"You'll find it worse when the coal gives out entirely."
"Oh, mercy!" Bess exclaimed, when he had gone on. "What a bear!"
But Nan looked suddenly disturbed. "Do you suppose that is possible?" she asked.
"What's possible?"
"That the coal may give out?"
"What if it does?" queried her chum, blankly.
"Goodness me! How will they make steam if there's no fuel for the fire?"
"Oh!" gasped Bess, "I never thought of that. Goodness, Nan, we'll be frozen to icicles!"
"Not yet, I hope," said Nan, getting up briskly. "Let's see if we can't stick our heads out of doors. I'm aching for a breath of fresh air."