It is not unlikely that the remaining passengers
mistook them for tramps. The rivals, morbidly suspicious of each
other, taciturn to the point of unfriendliness, had indeed chartered a
locomotive--not jointly by intention, but because of provoking
necessity. There was but one engine to be had. It is safe to say that
while they travelled many sore and turbulent miles in close proximity
to each other, neither felt called upon to offer or to demand an
explanation.
Five hours in the tender of an engine had done much to reduce them to
the level of the men in the cab, so far as personal appearance was
concerned. They were still wearing their raincoats, much crumpled and
discoloured; their faces were covered with coal dust; they were wet,
bedraggled, and humble to the last degree. The American, naturally,
was the one who clung to his suitcase; he had foreseen the need for a
change of linen. They came toward the train with hesitating, uncertain
steps. If their souls were gladdened by the sight of the two young
women, general appearances failed to make record of it. It was noted
by those who watched their approach that once both of them stopped
short and seemed to waver in their determination to advance.
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