Madame Frabelle depended greatly on tea; anything else she could do
without. But a cup of tea in the afternoon was necessary to her
well-being, and her animation. She became rather drowsy and absent by
four o'clock.
Bruce again suggested their landing and leaving the _Belle of the
River_, as they had not thought of bringing a tea-basket.
After tea, which was a great success, they became very cheery and jolly.
They went for a walk and then back to their boat.
This was the happiest time of the day.
When they reached the station, about half-past six, they found a
disagreeable crowd, pushing, screaming, and singing martial songs. As
they got into their first-class carriage about a dozen third-class
passengers sprang in, just as the train started. Bruce was furious, but
nothing could be done, and the journey back to town was taken with
Madame Frabelle very nearly pushed on to his knee by a rude young man
who practically sat on hers, smoking a bad cigarette in her face.
They tacitly agreed to say nothing about this, and got home in time for
dinner, declaring the day to have been a great success.
Bruce had really enjoyed it. Madame Frabelle said she had; though she
had a certain little tenderness, half of a motherly kind, for Bruce, she
far preferred his society in a comfortable house.
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