"I am, and I ain't." A dull sick feeling of bitter disappointment filling his heart as he saw that beyond the two men who had sprung out at once, no one else was appearing.

"I was going to tell 'ee about it, only the train corned in.

I'm--I'm expecting my little granddaughter.

She may come any day, by any train, so far as we know, for they--her mother, at least, forgot to say which." The station-master, seeing that his presence was not required by the new arrivals, stood ready to listen to Thomas's story.

"Didn't tell you when to expect her!" he exclaimed in surprise.
"No--o," said Thomas reluctantly.