Mr. Jervis, Vol. 1 (of 3)Croker, B. M. (Bithia Mary)
History
Mr. Jervis, Vol. 1 (of 3)
Croker, B. M. (Bithia Mary)
British -- India -- Fiction; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947 -- Fiction; Mate selection -- Fiction
“Oh, you were all right! I’m certain he never noticed you!” was the
sisterly reply. “Let us be quick and put up our things. I wish to
goodness the ayah was here,” and she began to bustle about, and strap
up wraps and pillows, and collect books and fans.
Every one in the train seemed to be in a state of activity, preparing
for departure, and presently many parties on foot, with lanterns, might
be seen streaming along the line. Captain Waring promptly returned with
a dozen coolies, and soon Mrs. Bellett’s carriage was empty. She and
her sister were assisted by Captain Waring and a young man--presumably
his companion. Ere descending, Mrs. Bellett, who had a pretty foot,
paused on the step to exhibit the thinness of her shoes, and demanded,
as she put out her Louis-Quatorze sole, “how she was to walk three
miles in _that_, along a rough road?”
The two ladies were nevertheless in the highest spirits, and appeared
to enjoy the novelty of the adventure. Ere the quartette had gone
twenty yards, the guard came shouting after them--
“Beg pardon, sir,” to Captain Waring, “but there is a lady quite alone
in my charge. I can’t take her on; I must stay and see to the baggage,
and remain here. And would you look after her?”
“Where is she?” demanded Waring, irritably.
“Last carriage but one--reserved ladies, first-class.”
“I say, Mark,” turning to his friend, “if she is a reserved lady, you
are all right. He is awfully shy, this young fellow,” he explained to
his other companions, with a loud laugh. “I don’t mind betting that
she is old--and you know you are fond of old women--so just run back
like a good chap. You see, I have Mrs. Bellett and her sister--you
won’t be five minutes behind us, bring on the reserved lady as fast as
you can.”
The other made no audible reply, but obediently turned about, and went
slowly past the rows of empty carriages until he came nearly to the end
of the train. Here he discovered a solitary white figure standing above
him in the open door of a compartment, and a girlish voice called down
into the dark--
“Is that you, guard?”
“No,” was the answer; “but the guard has sent me to ask if I can help
you in any way.”
A momentary pause, and then there came a rather doubtful “Thank you.”
“Your lamp has gone out, I see, but I can easily strike a match and get
your things together. There is a block on the line, and you will have
to get down and walk on to the next station.”
“Really? Has there been an accident? I could not make out what the
people were saying.”
“It is not of much consequence--two goods trains disputing the right of
way; but we shall have to walk to Okara to catch the Cawnpore mail.”
“Is it far?”
“About three miles, I believe.”
“Oh, that is not much! I have not many things--only a dressing-bag, a
rug, and a parasol.”
“All right; if you will pass them down, I will carry them.”
“But surely there is a porter,” expostulated the lady, “and I need not
trouble you.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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