First T.T. There’s precious few ‘edges or fences in the Isle o’ Thanet, as you’d know if you’ve ever been to Margit.

Second T.T. (loftily).  I’m not talkin’ about Margit now.  I’m talkin’ of ’ere, and I’ll trouble you to show me a landmark.

First T.T. Depend on it they’ve their own ways of knowing which is ’oo’s.

Second T.T. That’s not what I’m sayin’.  I’m sayin’ there ain’t nothing to indicate it. [They argue the point at length.]

Podb. (to CULCHARD).  Then you really aren’t cut up—­about Miss T. you know?

Culch. (with the reserve of a man who only wants to be pressed).  There is no reason that I am aware of, why I should be—­but (lowering his voice) don’t you think we had better wait till we are alone to discuss that subject?

Podb. Oh, all right.  I’m not partic—­at least.  Well, I’m glad you aren’t, you know, that’s all.

    [He becomes silent again—­but his face brightens visibly.

First T.T. (to Second Do.).  See that field there?  That’s tobacco, that is.

Second T.T. What they make their penny smokes of. (The train enters a station.) What funny engines they do ’ave ’ere!  I expect the guard’ll be wanting to see our billyetts again next.  It’s as bad as it used to be with the passports.  I’ve ’eard—­mind yer, I don’t know ’ow much likeli’ood there is in the assertion—­that they’re going to bring ’em in again.  Most intricate they were about them. (To CULCHARD.) Why, if you’ll believe me, a friend o’ mine as ’ad one—­well, they got ’is description down to a ioter!  He’d a cast in ’is eye,—­they put it down, and a pimple you’d ’ardly notice—­but down that went!

First T.T. It’s no use ’aving such things if they don’t do it thoroughly.

Second T.T. (irrelevantly).  I wish I ’adn’t ‘ad that glass o’ peach wine where we changed last. (A Guard appears at the window, and makes some guttural comments on the couple’s tickets.) Wechseln?  Why, that means wash, don’t it?  I’m as clean as him, anyway.  “Anshteigen,”—­ah, I ought to know what that means by this time!  SAM, my boy, we’re bundled out again.  I told yer ’ow it would be!

[They tumble out, and the carriage is presently filled by an assortment of Germans, including a lively and sociable little Cripple with a new drinking-mug which he has just had filled with lager, and a Lady with pale hair and sentimental blue eyes.

Podb. We can talk all right now, eh? They won’t understand.  Look here, old fellow, I don’t mind owning I’m rather down in the mouth about—­you know what.  I shouldn’t care so much if there was any chance of our coming across them again.

Culch. (cordially).  I am very glad to hear you say so.  I was rather afraid you had taken a dislike—­er—­in that quarter.