“Did anyone in the passenger cars get hurt?” questioned Mr. Ludlow.
“No, sir, only a few fainted,” answered the conductor.
“What are we going to do now? We have no power to go ahead, and we can’t even go back. We can’t move. Are we to stay right where we are, conductor?”
“For a time, we must,” was the answer.
“When is another train due here?” questioned Mrs. Calvert.
“A train is due to come through this way in an hour and a half, madam,” said the conductor. “But that will not help us any to go ahead. We have sent word back and may expect help from the nearest station. Some arrangement can likely be made to switch us off on a branch road, and by a circuitous route we can get back again to our line.”
“And how about our concert to-night?”
“If help is promptly sent we may get you there on time.”
“We were due at five o’clock,” said Mr. Ludlow.
“We can’t promise you anything definite now,” said the conductor, as he went about his duties.