"I'm thinking of travelling by this train." The audacity of this statement shook the self-possession of the guard.
"Can't wait," he said.

"Time's up.

You ought to have been here sooner." To say this he was obliged to take the whistle from his lips; and the engine-driver, who had a strict sense of duty, was unable to start.
"As a matter of fact," said the clergyman, "I'm not only here soon enough, I'm an hour and a half too soon.

The train I intended to catch is the next one." The guard put his whistle to his lips again.
"If you blow that thing," said the clergyman, "before I'm in the train, I'll take an action against the company for assault and battery." The guard hesitated.

He did not see how such an action could be sustained in court; but he felt the necessity of thinking over his position carefully before running any risks.