“The law gives me the right to remove him by force.  I can call on the train crew to assist me, or on the other passengers.  If I should choose to put him off the train entirely, in the middle of a swamp, he would have no redress—­the law so provides.  If I did not wish to use force, I could simply switch this car off at the next siding, transfer the white passengers to another, and leave you and your friend in possession until you were arrested and fined or imprisoned.”

“What he says is absolutely true, doctor,” interposed Miller at this point.  “It is the law, and we are powerless to resist it.  If we made any trouble, it would merely delay your journey and imperil a life at the other end.  I’ll go into the other car.”

“You shall not go alone,” said Dr. Burns stoutly, rising in his turn.  “A place that is too good for you is not good enough for me.  I will sit wherever you do.”

“I’m sorry again,” said the conductor, who had quite recovered his equanimity, and calmly conscious of his power, could scarcely restrain an amused smile; “I dislike to interfere, but white passengers are not permitted to ride in the colored car.”

“This is an outrage,” declared Dr. Burns, “a d——­d outrage!  You are curtailing the rights, not only of colored people, but of white men as well.  I shall sit where I please!”

“I warn you, sir,” rejoined the conductor, hardening again, “that the law will be enforced.  The beauty of the system lies in its strict impartiality—­it applies to both races alike.”

“And is equally infamous in both cases,” declared Dr. Burns.  “I shall immediately take steps”—­

“Never mind, doctor,” interrupted Miller, soothingly, “it’s only for a little while.  I’ll reach my destination just as surely in the other car, and we can’t help it, anyway.  I’ll see you again at Wellington.”

Dr. Burns, finding resistance futile, at length acquiesced and made way for Miller to pass him.

The colored doctor took up his valise and crossed the platform to the car ahead.  It was an old car, with faded upholstery, from which the stuffing projected here and there through torn places.  Apparently the floor had not been swept for several days.  The dust lay thick upon the window sills, and the water-cooler, from which he essayed to get a drink, was filled with stale water which had made no recent acquaintance with ice.  There was no other passenger in the car, and Miller occupied himself in making a rough calculation of what it would cost the Southern railroads to haul a whole car for every colored passenger.  It was expensive, to say the least; it would be cheaper, and quite as considerate of their feelings, to make the negroes walk.