Thk train was standing in the station. Two couples hurried along the platform looking for a reasonably empty compartment.
One of the porters stepped forwards and, opening the door of a compartment motioned the first couple to enter. Then, opening the door of the next compartment but one, he waved the second couple in.
As they climbed in, the man called back to his chum:
"See yer dahn there, Bill!"
There was no answer, and the porter thereupon stepped forward to the first couple's compartment and, with a jerk of his thumb remarked: "E said ell see yer dahn there, chum!"
Then, walking back to the other couple's compartment, he said with a self-satisfied nod: "Its all right, chum; I've told "im!" b ace The Other Tue "Other" Sparrow's Nest was warm and brightly lit and a gramophone was playing "When Mere Out Together Dancing Beak To Beak," as The Sparrow landed lightly at the entrance with a bunch of tiny wild flowers in his mouth.
"Who's that knocking at my door?" sang a gay voice within, WSaid the fair young maiden," sang back The Sparrow.
Oh, it's you," said the Other Sparrow "Yes, it's me," said The Sparrow, and not Barnacle Bill the Sailor, as you seemed to think"
"I didn't think anything of the kind," said the Other Sparrow, with mock indignation. "I will have you know that I am not visited by sailors."
"Glad to hear it Sparrow, hopping in.
"Oh, how lahvly)
Sparrow. simply adore How. wonderful you look tonight," said The Sparrow, hopping a little nearer, "Do I?" asked the Other Sparrow, burying her beak in the bunch and cocking one bright eye over the top.
"You know you do," said The Sparrow in a low, urgent voice. "You know you are different from other hens, You know you wear your feathers differently, somehow. Don't you?"
"Pehaps I do," said the Other Sparrow, "How's your wife?"
"Did you have to bring that up?" said The Sparrow.
"I suppose I can ask, can't I?"
"She's all right," said The Sparrow.
"Just ell right?"
"Yes. Just all right said The Sparrow, "Why shouldn't she be all right.
"Oh. I don't know. I thought she might be a little lonely."
"Aren't you going to be kind to me to-night?" asked The Sparrow.
"Aren't I always?" asked the Other Sparrow.
"Yes and no," said The Sparrow.
"Now you're going to sulk because I asked after your wife."
"No, I'm not" said The Sparrow.
"I think your wife is rather sweet." said the Other Sparrow "Td like to have a good talk with her."
"She'd like to have a good talk with you," said The Sparrow.
"Now you're being unkind." said the Other Sparrow.
"No, I'm not," said The Sparrow.
"Yes. you are" said th" Other Sparrow, sniffing.
"Now don't cry," soothed The Sparrow, "Don't make oe hoeful eyes red."
"I think you're beastl: the Other Sparrow with her head on his shoulder "There, there," said The Sparrow "I didn't ask you to come here," said the Other Sparrow. "It isn't my fault if she's lonely."
"Of course it isn't," said The row.
"She could have kept you at home if she had wanted to."
"If she had worn her feathers like you," said The Sparrow. "And if she had been given your bright eyes, and kept those blasted children quiet. Is that fricasse of worm Cooking on the twig?"
"Yes."
"For me?"
"N you like."
"Shall we dance?" asked The Sparrow. "Before dinner?"
"If you like," whispered the Other Sparrow, switching on the gramophone—By N. Gubbins in the "Sunday Express."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.