nsideration for others."
And she disappeared as mysteriously as she had arrived.

A little further down the platform, to their great delight, they
discovered an automatic machine, but were greatly disappointed to find
that it only professed to supply "furniture polish," "tin tacks," and
"postage stamps."

"And as we have no post-office here at all," said the Archaeopteryx, who
had by this time joined them, "the stamps are of no use whatever.
Fortunately," he went on, "the Palaeotherium brought some banana
sandwiches in his carpet bag; so, if you come back with me to his tent,
we can have a little supper before we go to bed."

The children very gratefully accepted the invitation, and were delighted
on entering the tent to find that the Eteraedarium and the Palaeotherium
had arranged quite a dainty little repast with the sandwiches, some
fresh fruit, and cocoanut milk, which was served in the shell.

While the feast was progressing it began to grow quite dark, and the
Dodo suggested asking the Porter for a light.

"There's only one candle," grumbled that individual, "and I be obligated
to use that for the signal."

So there was nothing to be done but to hurry over the supper as soon as
possible, and go to rest.

Marjorie and Fidge shared a little tent next to the Dodo and Dick, and
the children made themselves as comfortable as they could, under the
circumstances, with some cushions and rugs, with which the Porter had
provided them; and, after chatting for a little while about their
strange adventures, dropped off to sleep.

They were awakened after an hour or two by the clanging of a huge bell,
and, hastily putting their heads out of the tent, beheld the Porter
rushing up and down the platform, ringing his bell violently. The candle
was flaring away at the top of the signal pole, and the children jumped
to the conclusion that the train had been signaled.

"What's up!" called out Dick, as the Porter approached.

There was no answer, and the great bell was plied more vigorously than
ever.

"Oh! _do_ leave off!" screamed the Dodo. "What's the bell for?"

"To keep you awake," shouted the Porter. "I shall keep on ringing this
bell all night to prevent you from going to sleep, in case the train
comes in and you don't hear it."

"But the noise will drive us mad," expostulated the Dodo.

[Illustration: "'Oh! Do leave off!' screamed the Dodo."]

"H'm! won't have far to drive you, then," said the Porter, rudely.