The fly had made ten laps, and was comfortably along on its eleventh, when the old fellow called his servant.
"John," says he, quietly, "catch the little creature as gently as possible and put it out of the window. Don't hurt it, though, or I shall be angry."
John, who evidently knew his master's weakness, caught the bothersome fly and carried it to an open window.
"Ah, master," pleaded he, "just look, it is beginning to rain. Shall I not give the poor little fly a mackintosh and an umbrella?"
Just then the train stopped at a way station and I got off to get a bite to eat. As usual, I got left.
While waiting, my attention was attracted to an elderly couple, who had approached the ticket agent as he came out of his coop.
"Say, boss," says the old man, "can you tell me if the three-fifteen has left?"
"Oh, yes," says the agent, "it went by ten minutes ago."
"And when will the four-thirty be along, do you think?"