All crowded around, anxious to catch a glimpse.
“How dare you?” said the Dodo. “You’ll do nothing of the sort, I can tell you.” And despite the protests of the Guard he strutted up the platform and entered a first-class carriage, followed by the children.
There was no further time for argument, as the train was even now late in starting; so the Guard blew his whistle and waved his flag, and, after an answering toot from the engine, they were off.
They had the carriage all to themselves, and a moment or two after starting Marjorie discovered that somebody had left a little illustrated Magazine on one of the seats.
They all crowded round to look at the pictures, and presently the Dodo exclaimed, excitedly—
“Hullo! Look here! Why, here’s a situation that would just suit me:—”Typewriter wanted; must be quick and accurate, and of undoubted respectability. Hours, nine till six. Liberal salary to suitable person.—Apply to A. B. C., Suffolk House, Norfolk Street, Strand.” It’s the very thing! With the liberal salary, I shall be able to take a house somewhere in London, and we can all live together, and have the jolliest larks. We’ll keep a horse and trap, you know, and I’ll buy you each a bicycle, and we’ll go to the Pantomime every evening, and to Madame Tussaud’s, and the Zoo, and the Tower of London, and Masklyne and Cook’s, and other things every day—and—and——” he went on breathlessly.
“But do you know how to do typewriting?” asked Dick, dubiously.
“Well—er, not exactly,” admitted the Dodo; “but,” he added, hopefully, “I can soon learn, you know; and, besides, the advertisement fits me exactly. I’m sure I’m quick and accurate; and as for my respectability, look at my gloves! I’m sure any one would engage me directly they saw what a superior person I was.”