[Illustration: "He _does_ mean that!"] _Alth._ (_to herself_). He _does_ mean that! But I won't be proposed to like this on a railway platform; I don't believe it's proper; and I haven't even made up my mind! (_Aloud._) If it was difficult before, it will be harder than ever now--just when another train is coming in, Mr. CURPHEW. _Curph._ (_angrily, as the train passes_). Another--already! The way they crowd the traffic on this line is simply dis----But it's an express. It isn't going to stop, I assure you it isn't! _Alth._ It _has_ stopped. And we had better get in. _Ph[oe]be._ I don't know if you fancy the look of this train, Miss, but there's an empty first-class in front. _Curph._ This train stops everywhere. We shall get in just as soon by the next--sooner in fact. _Alth._ If you think so, Mr. CURPHEW, wait for it, but we really must go. Come, PH[OE]BE. _Ph[oe]be._ I only took a second for myself, Miss, not knowing you'd require---- _Curph._ (_to himself_). There's a chance still, if I can get a carriage to ourselves. (_Aloud._) No, Miss TOOVEY, you must let me come with you. Your mother put you under my care, you know. (_To_ PH[OE]BE.) Here, give me Miss TOOVEY'S bag. Now, Miss TOOVEY, this way--we must look sharp. (_He opens the door of an empty compartment, puts_ ALTHEA _in, hands her the bag, and is about to follow when he is seized by the arm, and turns to find himself in the grasp of_ Mr. TOOVEY.) How do you do, Mr. TOOVEY? We--we are just off, you see. _Mr. Toovey_ (_breathlessly_). I--I consider I am very fortunate in catching you, Mr. CURPHEW. I accidentally learnt from my wife that you were going up about this time--so I hurried down, on the bare chance of---- _Curph._ (_impatiently_). Yes, yes, but I'm afraid I can't wait now, Sir. I--Mrs. TOOVEY asked me to take care of your daughter---- _Mr. Toov._ ALTHEA will be perfectly safe. And I must have a few words with you at once on a matter which is pressing, Sir, very pressing indeed. ALTHEA will excuse you. _Alth._ (_from the window_). Of course. You mustn't think of coming, Mr. CURPHEW. PH[OE]BE will look after me. _Curph._ But--but I have an important engagement in Town myself! _Alth._ (_unkindly_). You will get up quite as soon by the next train, Mr. CURPHEW, or even sooner--you said so yourself, you know! (_In an under-tone._) Stay. I'd _rather_ you did--you can tell me your--your secret when I come back. _The Guard._ Vauxhall and Waterloo only, this train. Stand back there, please! [_He slams the door; the train moves on, leaving_ CURPHEW _on the platform with_ Mr. TOOVEY. _Curph._ (_to himself, bitterly_). What luck I have! She's gone now--and I haven't told her, after all. And I'm left behind, to have it out with this old pump! (_Aloud._) Well, Sir, you've something to say to me? _Mr. Toov._ (_nervously_). I have--yes, certainly--only it--it's of rather a private nature, and--and perhaps we should be freer from interruption in the waiting-room here.