The station-master was on the platform, in the act of posting up a telegram, around which a number of people--travellers, porters, and errand-boys--were crowding eagerly.

Austin joined the group, and read the message carefully and deliberately twice through.
He asked no questions, but listened to the remarks he heard around him.

Then he passed rapidly through the booking-office, and struck out on his way home.
Meantime Aunt Charlotte had passed the hours fuming.

To her, Austin's extraordinary behaviour was absolutely unaccountable, except on the hypothesis that he was not responsible for his actions.

Her rage was beyond control.