“Come on,” said O’Donovan, “we haven’t a minute to lose.”
They walked together very quickly to the station.
“Susie,” said Tom, “I’m going to put you into a carriage by yourself, and when you get there you’re to sit in a corner and cry. If you can’t cry——”
“I can if I like,” said Susie.
“Very well, then do. Get your eyes red and your face swollen and have tears running down your cheeks if you can manage it, and when I come for you again you’re to sob. Don’t speak a word no matter what anyone says to you, but sob like—like a motor bicycle.”
“I will,” said Susie.
“And if you do it well, I’ll buy you the smartest blouse in London to-morrow and bring it home to you.”
When they reached the station they jumped down from the platform and crossed the line to the train. Tom opened the door of an empty third-class carriage and pushed Susie into it. Then he went round to the back of the train and climbed on to the platform.
He made straight for the carriage in which the soldiers sat.
“Sergeant,” he said, “will you come along with me for a minute?”