Owen was not among the few passengers who got out of the train; and after waiting a moment or two to make sure, Toni turned away to find herself confronted with Mr. Herrick, who with a worried look on his face was interrogating one of the sleepy porters.
"No, sir, there isn't no cabs. There wasn't but three, and the gentlemen was very quick about taking 'em."
"Well, I must get one somehow." Herrick, quite overlooking Toni in his disturbance, spoke sharply, and Toni wondered vaguely why he was so annoyed. "You can ring one up from the livery stables, can't you?"
"What's the matter, Jim? No cab, I suppose. Well, they can just fetch one—and quick, too."
The words, spoken behind her in an unmistakably Irish voice made Toni start. She understood, all at once, that this was Mrs. Herrick's home-coming; and she felt a sudden curiosity to see the woman who had lately gone through so bitter an experience.
She half turned away; then a thought struck her, and she turned quickly back again and rushed into speech.
"Mr. Herrick, I couldn't help hearing you say you wanted a cab just now. Will you let me drive you—and your wife—home in the car? Do—it would save you having to wait so long."
Herrick, whose usual philosophic calm appeared to have deserted him, hesitated.
"Why, Mrs. Rose, it's awfully good of you—but——"
"Oh, do!" Toni spoke eagerly, and the woman who stood by turned to her impulsively.