He thought he was speaking the truth, but next morning, before work began, Captain Berry appeared. He had had breakfast and strolled around to the scene of operations.
“Well,” asked Phinney, “how'd it seem to sleep on wheels?”
“Tiptop,” replied the depot master. “Like it fust rate. S'pose my next berth will be somewheres up there, won't it?”
He was pointing around the corner instead of straight ahead. Simeon gaped, his mouth open.
“Up THERE?” he cried. “Why, of course not. That's the Boulevard. We're goin' along the Shore Road.”
“That so? I guess not. We're goin' by the Boulevard. Can go that way, can't we?”
“Can?” repeated Simeon aghast. “Course we CAN! But it's like boxin' the whole compass backward to get ha'f a p'int east of no'th. It's way round Robin Hood's barn. It'll take twice as long and cost—”
“That's good,” interrupted the Captain. “I like to travel, and I'm willin' to pay for it. Think of the view I'll get on the way.”
“But your permit from the selectmen—” began Phinney. Berry held up his hand.
“My permit never said nothin' about the course to take,” he answered, his eye twinkling just a little. “There, Sim, you're wastin' time. I move by the Hill Boulevard.”