The tired girl bestirred herself and looked round, the woman with the baby changed her burden again from one arm to the other and peered anxiously at the door.
"Royal Oak," I said, answering her look of inquiry.
She sank back in her seat and closed her eyes, and at the same moment the old gentleman jumped up and shambled towards the door, while the other passengers carefully drew in their toes.
By this time I noticed that the conductor's face had detached itself from the window. Three people had risen to leave; but the old gentleman was first, being clearly in a hurry; and as he found himself unable to pass me, half-standing and half-sitting, with my hand on the overhead rail, he looked pleadingly at me, as though imploring my silence. I hesitated a moment. It was none of my business to arrest criminals. But I did not mind giving a passive support to the cause of justice, so I stayed where I was. And then the conductor appeared, blocking the doorway.
"No, yer don't," he said.
"My good man," began the old gentleman, "I sincerely trust I have given no offence. I only——"
"I see yer," said the conductor, looking over his shoulder towards the public-house, and jerking his head.
"Then kindly oblige me," said the old gentleman, "by not making a fuss. If a sovereign now——"
"Oh, stow it," said the conductor. "You've done it once too often, that's what you 'ave. I see yer right enough this time, and you're going to be give in chawge, that's what you are. Strite."
The old gentleman looked helplessly round him. Impatient passengers began to remonstrate from the step; others from the kerb.