Part 7 (2/2)

FIRST T. T. (_with a dash of friendly contempt_). What d'yer mean--no landmarks--_signposts_?

SECOND T. T. (_with dignity_). I mean to say, they don't 'ave nothing to indicate which is Jack's property, and which is Joe's.

FIRST T. T. Go on--they've as much as what _we_ 'ave.

SECOND T. T. _'Ave_ they? We 'ave fences and 'edges. I don't see none _'ere_. P'raps you'll point me _out_ one?

FIRST T. T. There's precious few 'edges or fences in the Isle o' Thanet, as you'd know if you've ever been to Margit.

SECOND T. T. (_loftily_). I'm not talkin' about Margit now, I'm talkin'

of 'ere, and I'll trouble you to show me a landmark.

FIRST T. T. Depend on it they've their own ways of knowing which is 'oo's.

SECOND T. T. That's not what I'm _sayin'_. I'm sayin' there ain't nothin' to _indicate_ it. [_They argue the point at length._

PODB. (_to_ CULCHARD). Then you really aren't cut up--about Miss T. you know?

CULCH. (_with the reserve of a man who only wants to be pressed_). There is no reason that I'm aware of, why I should be--but (_lowering his voice_) don't you think we had better wait till we are alone to discuss that subject?

PODB. Oh, all right. I'm not partic--at least. Well, I'm glad you _aren't_, you know, that's all.

[_He becomes silent again--but his face brightens visibly._

FIRST T. T. (_to Second Do._). See that field there? That's tobacco, _that_ is.

SECOND T. T. What they make their penny smokes of. (_The train enters a station._) What funny engines they do 'ave 'ere! I expect the guard 'll be wanting to see our _billyetts_ again next. It's as bad as it used to be with the pa.s.sports. I've 'eard--mind yer, I don't know 'ow much likeli'ood there is in the a.s.sertion--that they're going to bring 'em in again. Most intricate they were about them. (_To_ CULCHARD). Why, if you'll believe me, a friend o' mine as 'ad one--well, they got 'is description down to a ioter? He'd a cast in 'is eye,--they put it down, and a pimple you'd 'ardly notice--but down _that_ went!

FIRST T. T. It's no use 'aving such things if they don't do it thoroughly.

SECOND T. T. (_irrelevantly_). I wish I 'adn't 'ad that gla.s.s o' peach wine where we changed last. (_A_ Guard _appears at the window, and makes some guttural comments on the couple's tickets._) Wechseln? Why, that means _wash_, don't it? I'm as clean as _him_, anyway. ”Anshteigen,”--ah, I ought to know what _that_ means by this time! Sam, my boy, we're bundled out again. I _told_ yer 'ow it would be!

[_They tumble out, and the carriage is presently filled by an a.s.sortment of Germans, including a lively and sociable little Cripple with a new drinking-mug which he has just had filled with lager, and a Lady with pale hair and sentimental blue eyes._

PODB. We can talk all right _now_, eh? _They_ won't understand. Look here, old fellow, I don't mind owning _I'm_ rather down in the mouth about----you know what. I shouldn't care so much if there was any chance of our coming across them again.

CULCH. (_cordially_). I am very glad to hear you say so. I was rather afraid you had taken a dislike--er--in that quarter.

PODB. I?--is it _likely_! I--I admire her awfully, you know, only she rather seemed to snub me lately.

CULCH. (_with patronising rea.s.surance_). Quite a mistake on your part, I a.s.sure you, my dear fellow. I am sure she will learn to appreciate you--er--fully when you meet again, which, I may tell you, will be at no very distant date. I happen to know that she will be at the Italian Lakes next month, and so shall we, if you let me manage this tour my own way.

PODB. (_with surprise and grat.i.tude_). I say, old boy, I'd no notion you were such a nailing good chap? Nein, danky. (_To the little Cripple, who is cheerily inviting him, in pantomime, to drink from his mug._ ) Cheeky little beggar. But do you really think anything will--er--come of it, if we do meet her again--_do_ you now?

CULCH. I--ah--have the best reasons for feeling tolerably certain of it.

[_He looks out of window and smiles._

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