“Perhaps,” she said, “you may be able to tell me when I will be able to get a train to——?”
She mentioned one of those towns of which the English have taken temporary possession, turning the hotels into hospitals, to the great profit of the original proprietors.
“Certainly,” said Thompson. “There’s a train at 9 p.m. But you’ll be travelling all night in that. If I were you I’d stay here till to-morrow morning and then——”
“Can’t,” said the girl. “Properly speaking I’m due back to-day; but I missed the early train this morning and only got here an hour ago. The boat was horribly late.”
“Ah,” said Thompson, “you’re coming back after leave, I suppose.”
The girl sighed faintly.
“Yes.” she said, “but I’ve had a fortnight’s leave; I can’t complain.”
“I’ll just write down that train for you,” said Thompson.
He scribbled 9 p.m. on a piece of paper and carried it over to the girl. It seemed to me an unnecessary thing to do. Nine is a simple number, easy to remember. Some thought of the same kind occurred to the girl. She looked at Thompson, first with some surprise, and then, I thought, rather coldly. She was evidently not inclined to accept any further friendly offers from Thompson. He did not seem in the least abashed even when she turned her shoulder to us and looked the other way.
“Have you seen the cathedral here?” said Thompson.