"I have a letter from Eleanor that I haven't opened.

It came this morning just before I left the house." Fumbling in her bag, Grace drew forth a bulky looking letter, bearing a foreign postmark, and tearing open the end, drew out several closely folded sheets of thin paper covered with Eleanor's characteristic handwriting.
"Shall I read it aloud ?" asked Grace.
"By all means," said Miriam with emphasis.
Grace began to read.

Anne, who sat beside her, looked over her shoulder, while Miriam, who sat opposite Grace, leaned forward in order to catch every word.

They were so completely occupied with their own affairs, none of them noticed that the train had stopped.

Suddenly a voice shrilled out impatiently, "Is this seat engaged ?" With one accord the three girls glanced up.