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THE PASSIONATE ELOPEMENT CARNIVAL SINISTER STREET: VOLUME ONE SINISTER STREET: VOLUME TWO
AND THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE MEDITERRANEAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
II. WINTER _December: January: February_ 63
V. ANOTHER AUTUMN _September: October: November_ 219
VI. ANOTHER WINTER _December: January: February_ 271
VII. ANOTHER SPRING _March: April: May_ 315
VIII. ANOTHER SUMMER _June: July: August_ 359
The slow train puffed away into the unadventurous country; and the bees buzzing round the wine-dark dahlias along the platform were once again audible. The last farewell that Guy Hazlewood flung over his shoulder to a parting friend was more casual than it would have been, had he not at the same moment been turning to ask the solitary porter how many cases of books awaited his disposition. They were very heavy, it seemed; and the porter, as he led the way toward the small and obscure purgatory through which every package for Shipcot must pass, declared he was surprized to hear these cases contained merely books. He would not go so far as to suggest that hitherto he had never faced the existence of books in such quantity, for the admission might have impugned official omniscience; yet there was in his attitude just as much incredulity mingled with disdain of useless learning as would preserve his dignity without jeopardizing the financial compliment his services were owed.
"Ah, well," he decided, as if he were trying to smooth over Guy's embarrassment at the sight of these large packing-cases in the parcel-office. "You'll want something as'll keep you busy this winter--for you'll be the gentleman who've come to live down Wychford way?"
"And Wychford is mortal dead in winter. Time walks very lame there, as they say. And all these books, I suppose, were better to come along of the bus to-night?"
Guy looked doubtful. It was seeming a pity to waste this afternoon without unpacking a single case.
But the porter interrupted him firmly: he did not think Mr. Godbold would relish the notion of one of these packing-cases in his new trap.
"I could give you a hand...." Guy began again.