He spat out of the window, he waved a
dignified greeting to his countrymen gathered upon station
platforms, he halted hurrying brakemen to inquire times of arrival
and departure, and in general he had the time of his young life.
Only when Kirk appeared upon his rounds did he forego his haughty
complacency. Then his wide lips, which nature had shaped to a
perpetual grin, curled back as they were intended, his smile lit
up the car, and he burst into loud laughter.
"Enjoying yourself?" inquired his hero.
"Passably, sar, passably!" Then, with a painful assumption of
seriousness: "How is the train, sar, may I ahsk?"
"On time."
"Rarely it is so, as a general thing. It is fartunate h'indeed
that you consented to run her this time."
"In a hurry to get to Colon?"
"Quite so. It is h'impartant that I h'arrive promptly to-day. I
have business h'affairs." His countenance assumed tortured lines
as he endeavored to maintain his gravity, then failing in his
attempt, he burst suddenly into a gale of merriment that sent
forth a shower of peanuts and lemon candy. "Praise God, boss, we
are 'appy gentlemen to-day, are we not?"
Kirk found that the report of his good-fortune had spread far and
wide; he was halted a score of times for congratulations;
operators at the various stations yelled at him and waved their
hands; Runnels wired "Hurrah!" at Gatun.
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