“I am a public school man.”
“I thought so. I say, I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but you’re a little down on your luck, aren’t you? I saw you sitting with your head in your hands, and that’s why I spoke.”
“Thanks. I am about as thoroughly and completely broke as a man need be.”
“Suppose—I mean I’m a public school man myself. Couldn’t I perhaps—take it as a loan y’know and——”
“You’re much too good, but on my honour I’ve as much money as I want.
... I tell you what you could do for me, though, and put me under an everlasting obligation. Let me come into the bogie truck of the train.
There is a fore-truck, isn’t there?”
“Yes. How d’you know?”
“I’ve been in an armoured train before. Only let me see—hear some of the fun I mean, and I’ll be grateful. I go at my own risk as a non-combatant.”
The young man thought for a minute. “All right,” he said. “We’re supposed to be an empty train, and there’s no one to blow me up at the other end.”