He was due in ten minutes to meet the possible guests for the Royal at the train.

He seized a pail left in the hall by the none too tidy housemaid and with his hands scooped into it the ashes from the stove, and, leaving a cloud of dust to settle everywhere upon tables and chairs, ran down with his pail and back again with kindling and firewood and had a fire going in an extraordinarily short time.

He then caught up an ancient antimacassar, used it as a duster upon chairs and tables, flung it back again in its place over the rickety sofa and rushed for the station to find that the train had already pulled in, had come to a standstill and was disgorging its passengers upon the platform.
"Roy--al Ho--tel!" shouted Billy.

"Best in town! All the comforts and conveniences! Yes, sir! Take your grip, sir?
Just give me them checks! That's all right, leave 'em to me.

I'll get your baggage all right." He saw the doctor wandering distractedly up and down the platform.
"Hello, Doc, got your lady?
Not on the Pullman, eh?
Take a look in the First Class.