46 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS, 



I ask him, " Have you heard of anything ? " 



" Well," he replies, slowly, the struggle evidently not being 



quite over — *' Well, no — not exactly. Only " (I see he's 



coming out with half the truth)— " there's Mr. Fossit of 

 Barntree was saying, the other morning here, as he had 

 something as he thought would do for you. I don't know it 

 myself," he adds, cheerfully ; " but he was saying, as he 

 thought it was about the sort of thing as you wanted. And," 

 he finishes, with increasing cheerfulness, as though he had 

 relieved his conscience at last^ and turned Queen's evidence 

 against Fossit of Barntree, who had tried to make him an 

 accomplice, " I said to Mr. Fossit as he'd better speak to 

 you about it himself. Up Train for Lon'on ! " 



By the time he has ended he has resumed his own natural 

 lionest and pleasant manner, and is at his work again, with 

 the air of a man who has successfully combated a fearful 

 temptation. 



I can imagine, that is my increasing suspicious nature can 

 imagine, what will take place at the next meeting between 

 Fossit of Barntree and the Station- Master. 



Fossit (whom I don't know from Adam) will come up with 

 the usual deep smile and begin, 



" Well, have you seen him since ? Eh ? " 



The Station-Master, perfectly aware that he is alluding to 

 me, but morally afraid to admit that he has thrown Fossit 

 over, will pretend that he doesn't quite catch his (Fossil's) 

 meaning. 



Fossit will then continue, cautiously, " Have you seen Mr. 

 Thingummy about that horse, as I was " 



