ALL the railway stations of the kingdom displayed the
challenge: Is your journey really necessary?

Guy and his brother-in-law caught the early, crowded
train from Paddington on the morning of the funeral.

Guy had a black arm band attached to his tunic. Box-
Bender wore a black tie with a subfusc suit of clothes and
a bowler.

"As you see, I'm not wearing a top hat," said Box-Bender.
"Seems out of place these days. I don't suppose there'll be
many people there. Peregrine went down the day before
yesterday. Hell have fixed everything up. Have you
brought sandwiches?"

"No."

"I don't know where we'll get lunch. Can't expect the
convent to do anything about us. I hope Peregrine and
Angela have arranged something at the pub."

It was barely light when they steamed out of the shut-
tered and patched station. The corridor was full of standing
sailors travelling to Plymouth. The little bulbs over the
seats had been disconnected. It was difficult to read the
flimsy newspapers they carried.

"I always had a great respect for your father," said Box-
Bender. Then he fell asleep. Guy remained open-eyed

-71-