The Spectator., 1915-04-16
Copyright 1915. by the Mcclure Newspaper syndicate1

"A sleeper" eagerly. "Oh, can we 1 get sleeper?"
 That's what I'm going to find out. You stay here with these," and, leav- ing Helen with the hand baggage, Warren hurried to the ticket window. The dimly lit station was swarming with passengers from the St. Paul, all tensely anxious to get on to Lon don. The excitement of the midnight landing was in the air.
 London papers were being eagerly scanned for. the latest war news. A table supplied with cable and tele- graph blanks was crowded with those anxious to send messages.
 But there was none of the usual ex- hilaration of landing. Even the hurry and excitement were subdued by the ominous feeling of depression.
 Got two berths of some kind" an nounced Warren. Then, with a glance at the lunch counter, Want some of that fodder while we wait? There's our old friend, Bovril," nodding at the familiar English sign.
 T don't like beef extract" de- murred Helen.
 Hello. they've got bar,. too! What about sherry and bitters? Thatll set you up.
 Wait, dear" as Warren started for the lunch counter "A lot of people are wiring on to the hotels for rooms. Don't you think we'd better?"
 'No; they always soak you more. Don't you worry-well get in some where. They'll not turn away good American money, war or no war Warren now made raid on the lunch counter, returning with sherry and sandwiches. They had had late supper on the steamer, but the thought of the midnight landing in a country still in the throes of war had left Helen too excited to eat.
 All passengers this way!" shouted the guard.
 Helen hastily finished her sandwich and followed Warren into the huge brick-lined hall, where all the baggage was ready for inspection.
 Keep close to me-" as he pushed ahead and quickly located their trunks in the section under "C."
 Any spirits. tobacco or silver plate?" asked the custom officer per functorily, as he chalked the trunks without opening them.
 With some difficulty Warren got porter. The scarcity of porters was one of the first evidences of the war.
 Register these trunks through to Euston," he ordered. This hand bag gage we'll have in the sleeper"
 Outside they made their way down the platform to the waiting train.
 Where's this stateroom?" asked Warren. showing his ticket.
 They're not reserved, sir. Take any you like
 When the porter deposited their hand baggage in one of the stuffy state rooms, Helen looked around with amazed disapproval Compared with the luxurious American sleeper 1t was crude, shabby and not even clean.
 There were two cot-like berths with washstand between. The curtains were StdlueQ anu uuStN, anu tuc pit VI carpet worn threadbare.
 Helen promptly examined the dubi- ous-looking bed linen. The narrow sheets barely covered the soiled mat tress. and the harsh, stiff blankets wee a grayish white.
 Dear, look Even the sheets don't look fresh!"
 Well. they're getting American managers on these roads now. They'll send lot of these old cars to the junk heap"
 Let's get out our steamer rugs, persisted Helen. They're cleaner than these blankets"
 Unheeding Warren's growing pro test, she unstrapped the rugs. Then from her suitcase she took two towels and pinned them over the pillows.
 Now. see here," scowling around for place to hang his coat; you're to take things on this trip as you find 'em. We'll have none of this squeam- ishness. If you don't like"
 "Oh. wait" pleadingly. Let me wash out that basin first" as Warren started to wash up. And. dear, don't use that soap!"
 Impatiently he waited while Helen washed out the dusty basin and got the soap from her suitcase.
 oh. dear, I wouldn't stand on this dirty floor. Where're your slippers? Let me get them out for you"
 No, you don't" pushing her aside. No sense in getting everything un- packed. l paid for this stateroom to get a few hours sleep-not to potter around all night"
 Helen had hardly begun to undress when Warren fopped into his berth.
 Great Scott. this things narrow,