The Albany Depot | Page 2

bag with my purse in it, and I guess they'll let me in. I want you
to keep these things for me, Edward; and I'll leave my shopping-bag; I
sha'n't want it any more. Don't lose any of them. Better keep them all in
your lap here together, and then nobody will come and sit on them."
She disburdens herself of her packages and parcels, and arranges them
on her husband's knees, while she goes on talking. "I'm almost ready to
drop, I'm so tired, and I do believe I should let you go up to Stearns's
for me; but you couldn't describe the bag so they would recognize it, let

alone what was in it, and they wouldn't give it to you, even if they
would let you in to inquire: they're much more likely to let a lady in
than a gentleman. But I shall take a coupe, and tell the driver simply to
fly, though there's plenty of time to go to the ends of the earth and back
before our train starts. Only I should like to be here to receive the
Campbells, and keep Willis from buying tickets for Amy and himself,
and us, too, for that matter; he has that vulgar passion--I don't know
where he's picked it up--for wanting to pay everybody's way; and you'd
never think of your Hundred-Trip ticket-book till it was too late. Do
take your book out and hold it in your hand, so you'll be sure to
remember it, as soon as you see Willis. You had better keep saying
over to yourself, 'Willis--Hundred-Trip Tickets--Willis--Hundred-Trip
Tickets;' that's the way I do. Where is the book? I have to remember
everything! Do keep your ticket-book in your hand, Edward, till Willis
comes."
Roberts: "But I want to read, Agnes, and I've got to hold my _Pop.
Sci._ with one hand and keep your traps in my lap with the other. Did
you find a cook?"
Mrs. Roberts, with rapturous admiration of him: "Well, Edward, you
have got a brain! I declare, the cook had utterly gone out of my mind.
Forgetting that plush bag makes me forget everything. I've got a
splendid one--a perfect treasure. She won't do any of the wash, and
we'll have to put that out; and she's been used to having a kitchen-maid;
but she said we were such a small family that she could shell the pease
herself. She's the most respectable-looking old thing you ever saw; and
she's been having ten dollars a week from the last family she was in;
but she'll come the summer with us for six. I was very fortunate to get
her; all the good girls are snapped up for the sea-side in May, and they
won't go into the country for love or money. It was the greatest chance!
She's such a neat, quiet, lady-like person, and all the better for being
Irish and a Catholic: Catholics do give so much more of a flavor; and I
never could associate that Nova Scotia, sunken-cheeked leanness of
Maria's with a cook. This one's name is--well, I forget what her name is;
Bridget, or Norah, or something like that--and she's a perfect little
butter-ball. She's coming to go out on the same train with us; and she'll
get the dinner to-night; and I sha'n't have the mortification of sitting
down to a pickup meal with Amy Campbell, the first time she has

visited us; she's conceited enough about her house-keeping as it is, I'm
sure, and I wouldn't have her patronizing and pitying me for worlds.
The cook will be here at half-past three precisely; I had to pretend the
train started a little earlier than it does so as to make her punctual; they
are such uncertain things! and I don't suppose I shall be back by that
time, quite, Edward, and so you must receive her. Let me see!" She
glances up at the clock on the wall. "It's just quarter-past now, and our
train goes at ten minutes to four--My goodness! I'll have to hurry."
The Colored Man who cries the trains, walking half-way into the room
and then out: "Cars ready for Cottage Farms, Longwood, Chestnut Hill,
Brookline, Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, Waban, Riverside, and
all stations between Riverside and Boston. Circuit Line train now ready
on Track No. 3."
Mrs. Roberts, in extreme agitation: "Good gracious, Edward, that's our
train!"
Roberts, jumping to his feet and dropping all her packages: "No, no, it
isn't, my dear! That's the Circuit Line train: didn't you hear? Ours
doesn't go till ten to four, on the Main Line."
Mrs. Roberts: "Oh yes, so it does. How ridiculous! But now I must run
away and leave you, or I never shall get back in time. Be sure to speak
to