He shrank from talking about it, for fear Mr.Simmons would ask questions he did not want, or was unable, to answer.

"She overlooked it, I reckon; and there hasn't been time to write and get an answer, so I thought I'd just step up and see this train in." "Well, we may as well go the length of her and make sure," said Mr.
Simmons, "if the child is very young, she may be afraid to move, or p'raps she doesn't know that this is where she ought to get out." Fresh hope rose in Thomas's heart as they made their way along the whole length of the train.

The guard and the porter paused in their gossip to turn and look at them, the engine-driver hanging lazily over the side of his box watched them idly.

Thomas, who was filled now with fear that the engine would start off at a wild pace before they had time to search the carriages, was somewhat relieved by the lazy look of them all.
"Do you know if there was any little girl on board booked to Springbrook ?" Mr.Simmons asked the guard as they drew near him.
"Why, yes, I b'lieve there was," answered the man casually.

"Got in at St.Pancras.