XIII
BETWEEN STATIONS
When Mrs. Dunham returned to the central compartment of the Naught-fifty, the waiter was laying the table for breakfast, and the President was looking on with the steadfast gaze which disconcerts.
"Good-morning, Cousin Jeannette. Up early to see the scenery, are you?" The genial greeting had no hint in it of inward disquietude, past or present.
"Yes, and I wish I had been earlier. I have been out on the platform watching the mountains grow."
"Grand, isn't it? You might have had a better view if our car had been left in its proper place in the rear; but our friend the passenger agent took good care to secure that for his own party."
Mrs. Dunham was inclined to be charitable. "I fancy he couldn't help it. From what he tells me, his people must be very exacting."
"Have you seen him this morning?" the President inquired, with some small show of curiosity.
"Yes; out on the platform. He has been telling me some of his exasperating experiences."