“Cheer up; that’s not bad. What can you expect with this snow? Two hours only means that we’ll arrive about five o’clock and get to Fir Tree Lodge—I think that’s what they call it—in time for dinner. Better come on and eat with us.”
But Prince Aglipogue shook his huge head sadly, much to the relief of both Terry and Ruth, and they walked out together. Ruth was beginning to feel that she was having an adventure. Something in the restlessness of the other passengers on the train, who were beginning to look frequently at watches and to stop the train officials every time they appeared, something in the sight of the whirling clouds of snow, the thought of George, some place back there with his strange travelling companion, all contributed to the undercurrent of excitement, and with it was that comforting feeling of security that always comes from looking at storm and snow from a place of warmth and shelter.
Because it was the holiday season the train was crowded and they were compelled to wait in the narrow hallway with other people in line before they could get a table.
“Isn’t it wonderful and Christmasy?” she asked, “especially as I’ve already got one gift; see, I brought it with me. I’d like to look at it again, only I’m afraid if any of the other passengers saw it they might suspect me of being a train robber.”
“Yes; you look so much like one. But perhaps it would be just as well not to look at it now. I’m glad you like it.”
“It’s beautiful, and somehow I feel safer—I mean safer and happier about Gloria now that I have it.”
“It’s a curious gift to give a girl, but I couldn’t exactly imagine giving you—”
“Table for two,” interrupted the steward. Ruth wondered what it was that Terry couldn’t imagine giving her.
Luncheon was like a party. Terry seemed to be making as much effort to amuse her as he would have made for Gloria, or perhaps he was so charming that he couldn’t help being charming all the time, she reflected. He had the most wonderful eyes in the world, and the kindest, strongest mouth, but she must stop looking at them. Still just for today she might pretend that he was her lover and that they were engaged, and—why not pretend that they were actually married and on their wedding journey? The thought made her gasp.
“Is something wrong? I’ll call the waiter.”