‘Right!’ responded Professor Fordney, his train companion, ‘I’m hungry, too.’
The two men had met only a few minutes before, as casually as travelers do, but already seemed to find each other agreeable company.
At dinner Hawkins explained he was a conductor on another railroad and bemoaned the loss of passenger traffic. Fordney, too, decried the depression and its effects.
When the conductor came through, Hawkins tendered a pass with a friendly remark, and Fordney, who said he had boarded the train in such a hurry he didn’t have time to purchase a ticket, paid a cash fare. Neither he nor the conductor having proper change, he borrowed fourteen cents from Hawkins.
After an enjoyable dinner, they went back to the club car for a smoke and continued their chat.
‘Ever been in Savannah, Mr. Hawkins?’ asked Fordney.
‘Why, yes. Several times. Why?’
‘Oh, nothing in particular. Charming city, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, it is, but I like the quaintness of New Orleans better, myself.’
And so they chatted through a pleasant evening until Hawkins, with a yawn, said: ‘Well, it’s a quarter to eleven. Bedtime for me. See you in the morning. Good-night, Professor. I’ve enjoyed knowing you.’