“Still, I should think it a very useful article when a lot of frozen and exhausted men are on one’s hands,” said Miss Travers.  “That was but a small flask he had, and I’m sure they will need more.”

There came a rush of cold air from the front, and the swinging door blew open ahead of the porter, who was heard banging shut the outer portal.  Then he hurried in.

“Can some of you gentlemen oblige me with some whiskey or brandy?” he asked.  “We’ve got some frozen soldiers aboard.  Two of ’em are pretty nearly gone.”

Two of the card-players dropped their hands and started for their section at once.  Before they could rummage in their bags for the required article, Mrs. Rayner’s voice was heard:  “Take this, porter.”  And she held forth a little silver flask.  “I have more in my trunk if it is needed,” she added, while a blush mounted to her forehead as she saw the quizzical smile on her sister’s face.  “You know I always carry it in travelling, Nellie,—­in case of accident or illness; and I’m most thankful I have it now.”

“Ever so much obliged, ma’am,” said the porter, “but this would be only a thimbleful, and I can get a quart bottle of this gentleman.”

“Where are they?” said the person thus referred to, as he came down the aisle with a big brown bottle in his hand.  “Come, Jim, let’s go and see what we can do.  One of you gentlemen take my place in the game,” he continued, indicating the commercial gents, two of whom, nothing loath, dropped into the vacated seats, while the others pushed on to the front of the train.  The porter hesitated one moment.

“Yes, take my flask:  I shouldn’t feel satisfied without doing something.  And please say to the officer that I’m Mrs. Rayner,—­Mrs. Captain Rayner, of the infantry,—­and ask if there isn’t something I can do to help.”

“Yes, ma’am; I will, ma’am.  Oh, he knows who you are:  I done told him last night.  He’s goin’ to Fort Warrener, too.”  And, touching his cap, away went the porter.

“There!  He did know all along,” said Mrs. Rayner, triumphantly.  “It is most extraordinary!”

“Well, is it the proper thing for people in the army to introduce themselves when travelling?  How are they to know it will be agreeable?”

“Agreeable!  Why, Nellie, it’s always done,—­especially when ladies are travelling without escort, as we are.  The commonest civility should prompt it; and officers always send their cards by the porter the moment they find army ladies are on the train.  I don’t understand this one at all,—­especially—­” But here she broke off abruptly.

“Especially what?” asked Miss Nell, with an inspiration of maidenly curiosity.

“Especially nothing.  Never mind now.”  And here the baby began to fidget, and stir about, and stretch forth his chubby hands, and thrust his knuckles in his eyes, and pucker up his face in alarming contortions preparatory to a wail, and, after one or two soothing and tentative sounds of “sh—­sh—­sh—­sh” from the maternal lips, the matron abandoned the attempt to induce a second nap, and picked him up in her arms, where he presently began to take gracious notice of his pretty aunt and the kitten.