"No," explained the Clerk, "first class is best." "What a funny arrangement," said the Dodo. "I should have thought the third would have been an improvement on the first; but, however, let's have the first-class tickets, please. When does the train start?" "There's one due in directly," said the Clerk. "Down the steps on the right." And the Dodo, collecting his change, and grasping his tickets, marched off towards the barrier. The Clerk, whose curiosity was aroused by the strange questions which had been addressed to him, came to the window to have a better view of his interrogator, and was just in time to catch sight of the Dodo walking off with the three children. "Well, I never!" he exclaimed, perfectly astounded at this strange sight. "And he asked if birds traveled at half-price, too! Well, I've had some odd customers here at the Crystal Palace, but never a one like that before." And he went back to his work in a highly-bewildered frame of mind. Meanwhile the Dodo and the children, finding no one at the barrier to obstruct them, went down to the platform, and a moment later the train came dashing into the station. "First class in the middle of the train," shouted Dick, grasping Fidge's hand, and hurrying down the platform. "Here! where are you going to with that bird?" shouted a voice behind them, and Dick and the Dodo turned around and walked slowly back to where the Guard, an elderly and very important-looking man, stood regarding them sternly. "Oh, it's all right; the gentleman up-stairs said there was no charge for birds," explained the Dodo, importantly, thinking that the man was inquiring about his ticket. "H'm! sort of a big parrot, I suppose, Sir?" said the Guard, addressing Dick, and not taking the slightest notice of the Dodo's remark. "Parrot, indeed!" shouted the bird, indignantly. "Perhaps you haven't noticed my gloves and necktie?" The Guard smiled indulgently. "Talks well, Sir," he said to Dick, "but you can't take _that_ into the carriage with you, you know. Better put him in the van." [Illustration: All crowded around, anxious to catch a glimpse.] "How dare you?" said the Dodo. "You'll do nothing of the sort, I can tell you." And despite the protests of the Guard he strutted up the platform and entered a first-class carriage, followed by the children. There was no further time for argument, as the train was even now late in starting; so the Guard blew his whistle and waved his flag, and, after an answering toot from the engine, they were off. They had the carriage all to themselves, and a moment or two after starting Marjorie discovered that somebody had left a little illustrated Magazine on one of the seats. They all crowded round to look at the pictures, and presently the Dodo exclaimed, excitedly--