THE CALIFORNIAN (soothingly). Well, ma'am, that ain't always so easy. A
man may mean well, and yet not be able to carry out his intentions. But
it's all right. And I reckon we'd better try to quiet down again, and
get what rest we can.

MRS. ROBERTS. Why, yes, certainly; and I will try--oh, I will _try_ not
to disturb you again. And if there's anything we can do in reparation
after we reach Boston, we shall be so glad to do it!

[They bow themselves away, and return to their seat, while THE
CALIFORNIAN re-enters his berth.]




III.


The train stops at Framingham, and THE PORTER comes in with a passenger
whom he shows to the seat opposite MR. and MRS. ROBERTS.

THE PORTER. You can sit here, sah. We'll be in in about an hour now.
Hang up your bag for you, sah?

THE PASSENGER. No, leave it on the seat here.

[THE PORTER goes out, and the ROBERTSES maintain a dejected silence. The
bottom of the bag, thrown carelessly on the seat, is toward the
ROBERTSES, who regard it listlessly.]