I left a
note to explain it, and account for my not being able to meet you
this evening as we arranged.'
'So did I for you.'
'You don't look well: you did not this morning.'
'I have a headache. You are paler to-day than you were.'
'I, too, have been suffering from headache. We have to wait here
a few minutes, I think.'
They walked up and down the platform, each one more and more
embarrassingly concerned with the awkwardness of his friend's
presence. They reached the end of the footway, and paused in
sheer absent-mindedness. Stephen's vacant eyes rested upon the
operations of some porters, who were shifting a dark and curious-
looking van from the rear of the train, to shunt another which was
between it and the fore part of the train. This operation having
been concluded, the two friends returned to the side of their
carriage.
'Will you come in here?' said Knight, not very warmly.
'I have my rug and portmanteau and umbrella with me: it is rather
bothering to move now,' said Stephen reluctantly. 'Why not you
come here?'
'I have my traps too. It is hardly worth while to shift them, for
I shall see you again, you know.'
'Oh, yes.'
And each got into his own place. Just at starting, a man on the
platform held up his hands and stopped the train.
Stephen looked out to see what was the matter.
One of the officials was exclaiming to another, 'That carriage
should have been attached again.
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