“Huh?”
“I say, if you want this—Here, what’s that you’ve got in your hand?”
“This?” The boy looked at the small piece of cardboard in a puzzled manner. “Ain’t that it?” he asked. But the man had already whisked it out of his hand, and now he punched it quickly, thrust it back to the boy and pushed him along through the gate.
“Must be an idiot,” he growled to the next passenger. “Someone ought to look after him.”
“All aboard!” shouted the conductor as the boy with the bag swung his way along the platform. “All aboard!”
“Is this the train for Greenbank?”
The conductor turned impatiently. “Yes. Get aboard!”
“Pardon me?” The boy leaned nearer, a hand cupped behind his ear.
“Yes! Greenbank! Get on!”
“I’m so sorry,” smiled the other. “Would you mind speaking a little louder?”