It is slow work travelling in Germany. The German train does not
hurry or excite itself over its work, and when it stops it likes to
take a rest. When a German train draws up at a station, everybody
gets out and has a walk. The engine-driver and the stoker cross
over and knock at the station-master's door. The station-master
comes out and greets them effusively, and then runs back into the
house to tell his wife that they have come, and she bustles out and
also welcomes them effusively, and the four stand chatting about old
times and friends and the state of the crops. After a while, the
engine-driver, during a pause in the conversation, looks at his
watch, and says he is afraid he must be going, but the station-
master's wife won't hear of it.
"Oh, you must stop and see the children," she says. "They will be
home from school soon, and they'll be so disappointed if they hear
you have been here and gone away again. Lizzie will never forgive
you."
The engine-driver and the stoker laugh, and say that under those
circumstances they suppose they must stop; and they do so.
Meanwhile the booking-clerk has introduced the guard to his sister,
and such a very promising flirtation has been taking place behind
the ticket-office door that it would not be surprising if wedding-
bells were heard in the neighbourhood before long.
