of skin
torn off my elbow, which I could show you if it were proper to--but my
nerves received a _terrible_ shock. They have not yet recovered.
Indeed, your abrupt way of putting it has quite--thrown a--"

As Mrs Podge exhibited some symptoms of a hysterical nature at this
point Mr Sharp assumed a very severe expression of countenance, and
said--

"Now, Mrs Podge, do you really think it fair or just, to claim damages
from a company, from whom you have absolutely received _no_ damage?"

"But sir," said Mrs Podge, recovering, "my nerves _did_ receive
damage."

"I do not doubt it Mrs Podge, but we cannot compensate you for that.
If you had been laid up, money could have repaid you for lost time, or,
if your goods had been damaged, it might have compensated for that but
money cannot restore shocked nerves. Did you require medical
attendance?"

"N-no!" said Mrs Podge, reddening. "A friend did indeed insist on my
seeing a doctor, to whom, at his suggestion, I gave a fee of five
shillings, but to say truth I did not require him."

"Ha! was it the same friend who advised you to claim compensation?"

"Ye-es!" replied Mrs Podge, a little confused.

"Well, Mrs Podge, from your own admission I rather think that there
seems something like a fraudulent attempt to obtain money here. I do
not for a moment hint that you are guilty of a fraudulent _intention_,
but you must know, ma'am, that the law takes no notice of intentions--
only of facts."

"But _have_ I not a right to expect compensation for the shock to my
nervous system?" pleaded Mrs Podge, still unwilling to give in.

"Certainly not, ma'am, if the shock did not interfere with your ordinary
course of life or cause you pecuniary loss. And does it not seem hard
on railways, if you can view the subject candidly, to be so severely
punished for accidents which are in many eases absolutely unavoidable?
Perfection is not to be attained in a moment. We are rapidly decreasing
our risks and increasing our safeguards. We do our best for the safety
and accommodation of the public, and as directors and officials travel
by our trains as frequently as do the public, concern for our own lives
insures that we work the line in good faith. Why, ma'am, I was myself
near the train at the time of the accident at Langrye, and _my_ nerves
were considerably shaken. Moreover, there was a director with his
daughter in the train, both of whom were severely shaken, but they do
not drea