In the good old days that seldom happened.

Is it not so ?" asked the lawyer of the two merchants, evidently trying to drag them into the conversation.
Just then the train started, and the old man, without answering, took off his cap, and crossed himself three times while muttering a prayer.
When he had finished, he clapped his cap far down on his head, and said: "Yes, sir, that happened in former times also, but not as often.

In the present day it is bound to happen more frequently.

People have become too learned." The lawyer made some reply to the old man, but the train, ever increasing its speed, made such a clatter upon the rails that I could no longer hear distinctly.

As I was interested in what the old man was saying, I drew nearer.