Page:Herbert Jenkins - Return of Alfred.djvu/15



LL change!"

The station-master was weary of the phrase. He had shouted it, murmured it, purred it, and threatened with it, until he felt it the most odious combination of words the language contained.

"All change, sir!" he repeated irritably, as the passenger for whose benefit he had made the statement showed no sign of movement. "Strike begins at ten," he added.

"But it's not ten yet," smiled the young man, as he glanced at his wrist-watch.

"There won't be time to get on to Upper Saxton," was the reply. "We've had instructions to warn all passengers that trains may be left derelict at ten o'clock."

"Anyway, I think I'll chance it," was the imperturbable reply, and the fair-haired passenger with the smiling blue eyes proceeded to light a cigarette.

"Well, sir, I've warned you," said the station-master, with the air of a man who wishes to clear himself of all responsibility.

"You most certainly have," agreed the passenger, as he dropped the match upon the carpeted floor of 11