Page:Teleny, or The Reverse of the Medal, t. I.djvu/70

 "It was a kind of country station, apparently a junction, and everybody was getting out.

"The guard bawled out: 'Les voyageurs pouren voiture.'

"Where is the lavatory?' I enquired of him.

"He wished to shove me into the train. I broke loose, and asked the same question of another official,

There,' said he, pointing to the water-closet, 'but be quick.'

"I ran towards it, I rushed into it without looking where I went. I violently pushed open the door.

"I heard first a groan of ease and of comfort, followed by a splash and a waterfall, then a screech, and I saw my English damsel, not sitting, but perched upon the closet seat.

"The engine whistled, the bell rang, the guard blew his horn, the train was moving.

"I ran back as fast as I could, regardless of consequences, holding my falling trousers in my hands, and followed by the wrathful screeching English old maid, very much like a wee chicken running away from an old hen."