“This is North Adams; I heard a man say so—”
“Yes; we’re here. I wonder if there’s food in the station. I’m starving already.”
There was not food at the station, but there was a huge sleigh drawn by two powerful horses, with bells on their harness that tinkled merrily in the sharp air, and a man from Fir Tree Farm. Inquiry revealed the fact that Gloria’s train would be in within fifteen minutes and Terry told the man to wait. Meantime George appeared, looking as calm and imperturbable as if he had just stepped out of the house on Gramercy Square. They all sat on hard benches in the railway station, or looking through the soiled windows at other passengers driving gaily off to their homes—and breakfast, as Terry said quite wistfully. Prince Aglipogue paced up and down in melancholy silence. Ruth could imagine that he was preparing dignified reproaches to hurl at the auburn head of Gloria. Her train came in finally and she stepped off swathed in furs, exhaling the perfume of violets, followed by respectful porters and greeted by George, who took possession of everything, before the vicarious servitors quite knew what was happening.
Gloria looked so fresh and beautiful, so perfectly groomed and so rested, that they all felt shabbier than ever and more dishevelled. They made a rush for her, and when George had stepped aside she greeted them with bright smiles.
“Hello, people. You see I was right! What a wonderful morning! Hello, Aggie—you look as if you’d been in a wreck, and Ruth and Terry as if they’d been, oh, on an adventure. I actually believe you liked it. What did you sleep on?”
“It has been a terrible experience,” Prince Aglipogue began, trying to look reproachful, but only succeeding in looking ridiculous. He could get no further in his speech, for Ruth and Terry were both talking.
“We did enjoy it; wish you’d been along.”
“We slept in our chairs, at least I did, but I don’t believe Terry slept at all. You look gorgeous, Gloria—there’s a sleigh out there with bells on.”
“Come on, then; I’m famished. Didn’t you get up in time for breakfast even if there’d been any to get? Have you eaten?”
“No; only a cup of coffee—very bad, too.”