never remembered being offered so large or so
varied a choice at Liverpool Street Station before. You generally made a
dash for the only empty table you saw, usually close to the door. That
was like Hobson's choice--this or none! A stable of forty good steeds,
always ready and fit for travelling, but the customer must take the
horse which stood nearest to the door!

Well, to-day he had the run of the stable. Forty good marble tables!
Which should he choose?

The young women behind the counter watched him with interest as he
wandered about, carefully examining each table and sitting down
tentatively at several. At last he chose the most central, as being the
furthest removed from Hobson's choice; sat down, took the Infant out of
its bag, and, screwing in its pointed foot, leaned it up against another
chair at the table.

Then he found that one of the young women had come from behind the
counter, and was standing at his elbow, patiently awaiting his pleasure.

He ordered a cup of coffee and a roll and butter, for himself; a glass
of milk and a sponge-cake for the Infant.

Just after these were served, before he had had time to drink the
steaming hot coffee, the friendly inspector arrived, accompanied by
another railway official. They said they had come to make sure Ronnie
had found what he wanted in the refreshment room.

Ronnie thanked them for their civility, and showed them the Infant.

They looked at it with surprise and interest; but nudged one another
when they noticed the glass of milk and the sponge-cake, which Ronnie
had carefully pushed across to the Infant's side of the table.

Then they saluted, and went out.

Left alone, Ronnie drank his coffee.

It instantly cleared his brain of the after-effects of the sleeping
draught which Aubrey had insisted upon giving him just before the
steamer sailed the night before. His surroundings ceased to appear
dream-like. A great wave of happiness swept over him.

Why, he was in London again! He was almost at home! If he had let Helen
meet him, she might have been sitting just opposite, at this little
marble table!

He looked across and saw the unconscious Infant's glass of milk and
sponge-cake. He drew them hurriedly towards him. He felt suddenly
ashamed of them. It was possible to carry a joke too far in public. He
knew Helen would say: "Don't be silly, Ronnie!"

He particularly disliked milk, and was not fond of sponge-cakes; but he
hastily drank the one an