VOICE (without). Guard, how long do we stop here?
GUARD (without). Ten minutes, sir! (Cries of “Reading; change here,” etc., etc., etc., repeated, and gradually diminishing, accompanied by noise of slamming doors, etc.)
GENTLEMAN (starting from his sleep). What’s that? Who speaks of stopping? I wonder what the time is? (Looks at watch.) Seven o’clock? (Opens door and looks out.) Broad daylight, I declare (closing door again); then I must have slept the best part of the night! I don’t even remember my travelling companion getting out; he seems to have forgotten his newspaper (taking up paper from chair). Not a very talkative fellow; in fact, he never opened his mouth, except to put something into it—principally Abernethys and peppermint-drops. By Jove, his Daily News is full of crumbs and caraways now!—a regular pantry!
GUARD (again heard without). Reading! Ten minutes to stop!
GENTLEMAN. Ten minutes to stop? Then I may as well get out and stretch my legs a bit (rises, puts railway-rug, guide, and travelling-bag on his seat, and goes to door C.; then calls). Guard, whereabouts is the refreshment-bar?
GUARD (without). This way, sir (GENTLEMAN goes out at door C. towards R. H.—short pause).
The LADY looks in at C. and stops; then enters with two small parcels and a bonnet-box.
LADY. Yes; all things considered, I decidedly prefer this carriage to the ladies’ compartment, where there’s only room for one, and then what should I do with my packages? Besides, ladies are not so remarkably agreeable among themselves; while here— (looking about her). Let me see, which corner shall I take? I think this will do (indicating the seat which the GENTLEMAN has just left); one’s face to the engine, and not so likely to be troubled by people getting in and out; yes, this will do very well indeed! (during this she removes the GENTLEMAN’S effects from first chair L. H. to the opposite chair at R.) And after all, provided one has a gentleman for a travelling companion, a host of these little difficulties soon disappear! (Seats herself on first chair L. H.). There! I shall do very nicely here—very nicely indeed! (Here the GENTLEMAN appears outside at door C.) Some one’s coming! one of the opposite sex! I hope a gentleman. Suppose I pretend to be asleep? I will! I’ll shut my eyes, and then I shall be able to judge of his appearance! (wraps herself up so as to conceal her face, and pretends to be asleep).
GENTLEMAN (entering at door and stamping his feet). I feel all the better! Thanks to a glass of sherry and half a dozen rapid turns up and down the platform, the circulation is re-established; so now for another dose of pins and needles. Holloa! what’s this?—my seat taken, and all my things bundled away anyhow on another seat! Well, of all the cool proceedings— (To the LADY.) I beg pardon, madam, but— Asleep? Rather a sudden attack of drowsiness, considering she can’t have been here more than five minutes! However, she’s a lady—at least she looks like one, though she is such a cool hand, and I can’t be so ungallant as to turn her out, especially as she looks so snug and comfortable! I must take another corner! (He seats himself on second chair at L. H., partly turning his back to the LADY.)
LADY (aside and partly uncovering her face). I knew these little difficulties would soon arrange themselves! (wraps herself up as before).