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behind. [The DUTCH YOUTH laughs. The ENGLISH unconsciously emerge from their newspapers.] AMERICAN. My! That would appear to be quite a domestic incident. [The ENGLISHMAN suddenly utters a profound "Ha, Ha!" and disappears behind his paper. And that paper and the one opposite are seen to shake, and little sguirls and squeaks emerge.] GERMAN. And you haf got her bundle, and her baby. Ha! [He cackles drily.] AMERICAN. [Gravely] I smile. I guess Providence has played it pretty low down on you. It's sure acted real mean. [The BABY wails, and the LITTLE MAN jigs it with a sort of gentle desperation, looking apologetically from face to face. His wistful glance renews the fore of merriment wherever it alights. The AMERICAN alone preserves a gravity which seems incapable of being broken.] AMERICAN. Maybe you'd better get off right smart and restore that baby. There's nothing can act madder than a mother. LITTLE MAN. Poor thing, yes! What she must be suffering! [A gale of laughter shakes the carriage. The ENGLISH for a moment drop their papers, the better to indulge. The LITTLE MAN smiles a wintry smile.] AMERICAN. [In a lull] How did it eventuate? LITTLE MAN. We got there just as the train was going to start; and I jumped, thinking I could help her up. But it moved too quickly, and--and left her. [The gale of laughter blows up again.] AMERICAN. Guess I'd have thrown the baby out to her. LITTLE MAN. I was afraid the poor little thing might break. [The Baby wails; the LITTLE MAN heaves it; the gale of laughter blows.] AMERICAN. [Gravely] It's highly entertaining--not for the baby. What kind of an old baby is it, anyway? [He sniff's] I judge it's a bit--niffy. LITTLE MAN. Afraid I've hardly looked at it yet. AMERICAN. Which end up is it? LITTLE MAM. Oh! I think the right end. Yes, yes, it is. AMERICAN. Well, that's something. Maybe you should hold it out of window a bit. Very excitable things, babies! ENGLISHWOMAN. [Galvanized] No, no! ENGLISHMAN. [Touching her knee] My dear! AMERICAN. You are right, ma'am. I opine there's a draught out there. This baby is precious. We've all of us got stock in this baby in a manner of speaking. This is a little bit of universal brotherhood. Is it a woman baby? LITTLE MAN. I--I can only see the top of its head.
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