A bell rang.
The crowd swayed to and fro; agitated people became apparently insane; timid people collapsed; strong people pushed, and weak folk gave way. If any man should be sceptical in regard to the doctrine of the thorough depravity of the human heart, he can have his unbelief removed by going into and observing the conduct of an eager crowd!
“What a hinfamous state of things!” observed Mrs Niven.
“Yell!—shriek!” went the engine whistle, drowning Miss Peppy’s reply.
“Take your seats!” roared the guard.
The engine gave a sudden snort, as if to say, “You’d better, else I’m off without you.”
“Now aunt,” said Kenneth, “come along.”
In another moment Miss Peppy was seated in a carriage, with her head out of the window, talking earnestly and rapidly to Mrs Niven.
It seemed as if she had reserved all the household directions which she had to give to that last inopportune moment!
“Now, take good care of Emmie, Niven, and don’t forget to get her—”