The agent stalked away in the night and the diminutive station was left
to the mercy of the wayfarers.

"And now, Mr. Rollins, you may go over in that corner and stretch out on
the bench. It will be springless, I know, but I fancy you can sleep. I
will call you for the--for breakfast."

"I'm hanged if you do. On the contrary, I'm going to do my best to fix a
comfortable place for you to take a nap. I'll call you when Mr. Dudley
comes."

"It's most provoking of him," she said, as he began rummaging through his
steamer trunk. "What are you doing?"

"Hunting out something to make over into a mattress. You don't mind
napping on my clothes, do you? Here's a soft suit of flannels, a heavy
suit of cheviot, a dress suit, a spring coat, and a raincoat. I can rig up
a downy couch in no time if--"

"Ridiculous! Do you imagine that I'm going to sleep on your best clothes?
I'm going to sit up."

"You'll have to do as I say, madam, or be turned out of the hotel," said
he, with an infectious grin.

"But I insist upon your lying down. You have no reason for doing this for
me. Besides, I'm going to sit up. Good-night!"

"You are tired and ready to cry," he said, calmly going on with his