Brockway answered the inquiries in sequence, and when the norm of quiet was restored, a soft-spoken little gentleman in a grass-cloth duster and a velvet skull-cap drew him away to the smoking-compartment. "Let's go and smoke," he said; and Brockway went willingly, inasmuch as the little gentleman with the womanish face and the ready cigar-case was the only person in the party who seemed to be capable of travelling without a guardian. "Worry the life out of you, don't they, my boy," said the comforter, when his cigar was alight. "Oh, no; I'm well used to it." "I presume you are, in a way. Still, some of the complaints are so ridiculous. I suppose you've heard the latest?" "Nothing later than Mr. Jordan's demand for sixty days in which to complete a week's journey." "Oh, it isn't that; that's an individual grievance. The other involves the entire party. Of course, you are aware that the Tadmor is no longer the rear car in the train?" "Oh, Lord! are they going to fight about that?" "Unquestionably. Didn't you promise some of them that this particular chariot should be at the tail-end of the trans-continental procession?" "No. It was merely an answer to a question. I said that extra cars were usually put on behind. Are they going to demand it as a right?" "Yes; I believe the deputation is waiting for you now." "Heavens--what a lot of cranks!" said Brockway, despairingly. "The thing can't be done, but I may as well go and fight it out." The deputation was in section six, and one of the committee rose and gave him a seat. "There is a little matter we should like to have adjusted," began the courteous one; but Brockway interrupted. "Mr. Somers was just telling me about it. I hope you are not going to insist----" There were two elderly ladies on the committee, and they protested as one person. "Now, Mr. Brockway! You know we made it a positive condition--so we could go out on the platform and see the scenery." "But, my dear madam, let me explain----" "There is nothing to explain; it was an explicit promise, and we insist on its fulfilment." "Just one word," Brockway pleaded. "The car behind us is our General Manager's private car, lent to President Vennor, of the Colorado and Utah. If we should put it ahead of this, Mr. Vennor's party would be continually disturbed by the passengers and train-men going back and forth. Don't you see----" The fourth member of the deputation put in his word at this. "How long has it been since the railway companies began to put the convenience of their guests before the rights of their patrons, Mr. Brockway? Answer me that, if you please." "I should like to know!" declared one of the ladies. "_We_ have paid for our accommodations." The courteous one summed up the matter in set phrase. "It's no use, Mr. Brockway, as you see. If you don't carry out your part of the agreement, I'm afraid we shall have to telegraph to your superiors."