There were only some railway officials standing about; and talking loud to one another.
"So Leonards has been drinking again!" said one, seemingly in authority. "He'll need all his boasted influence to keep his place this time."
"Where is he?" asked another, while Margaret, her back towards them, was counting her change with trembling fingers, not daring to turn round until she heard the answer to this question.
"I don't know. He came in not five minutes ago, with some long story or other about a fall he'd had, swearing awfully: and wanted to borrow some money from me to go to London by the next up-train. He made all sorts of tipsy promises, but I'd something else to do than listen to him; I told him to go about his business; and he went off at the front door."

There were only some railway officials standing about, talking loudly.
'So Leonards has been drinking again!' said one. 'He'll need all his boasted influence to keep his place this time.'
'Where is he?' asked another, while Margaret, her back towards them, was counting her change with trembling fingers, not daring to turn round until she heard the answer.
'I don't know. He came in not five minutes ago, with some story or other about a fall he'd had, swearing awfully; and wanted to borrow some money to go to London by the next up-train. I'd better things to do than listen to him; so I told him to go about his business; and he went off.'
