Part 4 (1/2)

So the boys went off with great eagerness to look at the baggage. In a few minutes they returned again, wearing very bright and animated countenances.

”Yes, sir,” said Waldron, ”we can take it all just as well as not. I can take your valise, and Rollo can take my things, and I can carry your knapsack under my arm.”

”O, I am willing to help,” said Mr. George. ”I can help in carrying the things, provided I do not have any _care_. If you will count up all the things that are to go, and see that they all do go, and then count them again when we get into the railway carriage, so as to be sure that they are all there, and thus save me from responsibility, that is all I ask, and I will carry any thing you choose to give me.”

”Well, sir,” said Waldron.

Indeed, Waldron was very much pleased to find how completely Mr. George was putting the business under his and Rollo's charge.

”And now,” said Mr. George, ”I think you had better tell your father and mother about this plan of our going ash.o.r.e at Greenock. They may like to do so, too.”

”O, they know all about it,” said Waldron, ”and they are going. Mother says that she has had enough of the steamer.”

Not long after this the steamer arrived at Greenock, and made fast to the pier. A large number of the pa.s.sengers went ash.o.r.e. The rain had ceased, which was very fortunate for those who were to walk to the station; though, of course, the streets were still wet. As soon as the boat was made fast, Mr. George went to the plank, and there he found Waldron and Rollo ready, with the baggage in their hands. Mr. George took his valise, though at first Waldron was quite unwilling to give it up.

”O, yes,” said Mr. George; ”I have no objection to hard work. What I don't like is care. If you and Rollo will take the care off my mind, that is all I ask.”

”Well,” said Waldron, ”we will. And now I wonder which way we must go, to get to the station.”

”I am sure I don't know,” said Mr. George. As he said this his countenance a.s.sumed a vacant and indifferent expression, as if he considered that the finding of the way to the station was no concern of his.

”Ah!” exclaimed Waldron, ”this is the way. See!” So saying, Waldron pointed to a sign put up near the end of the pier, with the words RAILROAD STATION painted upon it, and a hand indicating the way to go.

As the sun had now come out, the party had quite a pleasant walk to the station. Mr. George had all his clothes in a light and small valise which he could carry very easily in his hand. Some of Rollo's clothes were in this valise, too, and the rest were in a small carpet bag.

Waldron's were in a carpet bag, too. Besides these things there were some coats and umbrellas to be carried in the hand, and Mr. George and Rollo had each a knapsack, which they had bought in Switzerland. These knapsacks were hung at their sides. They were light, for at this time there was very little in them.

Rollo and Waldron stopped once in the street to inquire if they were on the right way to the station; and finding that they were, they went on, and soon arrived at the gateway. They went in at a s.p.a.cious entrance, and thence ascended a long and very wide flight of stairs, which led to the second story. There they found an area, covered with a gla.s.s roof, and surrounded with offices of various kinds pertaining to the station.

In the centre was a train of cars, with a locomotive at the head of it, apparently all ready for a start. Pa.s.sengers were walking to and fro on the platform, and getting into the carriages.

On one side was a book stand, where a boy was selling books. There was a counter before, and shelves against the walls behind. The shelves were filled with books. These books were in fancy-colored paper bindings, and seemed to consist chiefly of guide books and tales, and other similar works suited to the wants of travellers.

Mr. George laid his valise down upon a bench near by, and began to look at the books. Waldron and Rollo put their baggage down in the same way, and followed his example.

While they were standing there they saw Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy and the two girls coming up the stairs. They were accompanied by a porter.

Mrs. Kennedy stopped a moment to speak to Waldron as she went by.

”Now, Waldron,” said she, ”you must be very careful, and not get into any difficulty. Keep close to Mr. George all the time, and don't get run over when you get in and out of the cars. You had better b.u.t.ton up your jacket. It is very damp, and you will take cold, I am afraid.”

So saying, she began to b.u.t.ton up Waldron's jacket in front, giving it a pull this way and that to make it set better.

”Don't, mother!” said Waldron. ”I'm so hot.”

So he shook his shoulders a little uneasily, and tried to turn away. But his mother insisted that his jacket should be b.u.t.toned up, at least part way.

”Come, my dear,” said Mr. Kennedy, speaking to his wife; ”we have no time to lose. The train is going.”

So Mr. Kennedy bade Waldron good by, and hurried on, and Waldron immediately unb.u.t.toned his jacket again, saying at the same time,--