"I can't see her, Nell! Where is she ?" "Hold on, can't you!" grumbled the old sailor, angry with the door for not yielding at once to his efforts.

"If you wait a moment you'll be able to see your `aunt Polly' and everybody else to your heart's content; that is, as soon as we can get out on to the platform.

Bother take the door, how it sticks!" With this exclamation, muttered in a hoarse, stifled voice, by reason of his half-stooping position, the Captain put his knee against the obnoxious door; and this, giving way to his shove, unexpectedly, nearly precipitated him into the arms of Mrs Gilmour, the aunt of our hero and heroine, who had recognised little Nellie's face at the window and advanced to the side of the carriage, without his perceiving her approach.
"Dear me, Captain Dresser!" she cried with a laugh, just catching him from falling on his face.

"I've no doubt you are very glad to say me again, but you needn't be quite so demonstrative in public." The Captain rose up, looking very red and confused.

"I'm sure I beg your pardon, ma'am," said he, bowing and laughing, too, as he recovered himself; "but those porters slam and jam the doors so, that they never will open properly when you want to get out quickly!" His further excuses, however, were cut short by Nellie springing out of the carriage before he could utter another word.
"Oh, aunt Polly!" she exclaimed, hugging the smiling lady, who was a plump merry-looking little body, with dark wavy hair and large, lustrous, almond-shaped eyes, which, strange to say, were of an intense violet blue, presenting a curious contrast.