(02-12-2021, 08:01 PM)Robert Carrington Wrote: Robert had heard of Pearl's little trip with great displeasure. A young lady traveling alone (the servant didn't count), how scandalous! As if his sister hadn't done enough to subject the family to scorn and derision. He was determined to pick her up from the station at least, so no one would have to see her get into a cab alone.

Alas, some moron had had an accident and held up all the traffic into town, and now he was late. He got out of the cab, well dressed in a low top hat with a black walking cane in hand, not because he was old, but because he was a gentleman, and people did well to remember. He marched into the station, looking around for his sister, and being even angrier with her at the prospect of finding her gone, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

There, on the platform in the distance was his sister, holding the hand of some working class cad. How dare he! The hands were dropped, but by that time, Robert was seething with red-hot anger. "HEY YOU!" He shouted, striding in the direction of the two young people and pointing at the ill-bred young man with his cane. "How dare you touch my sister, you tramp!?"

For Joe, reality and propriety collided in a violent train crash as he realised what was happening.  He had no wish to appear weak or foolish in front of the lady, but he was at work and couldn't tell the new arrival to stuff it.  

"I'm no tramp, sir. I am a railway employee." Joe replied in the most official tone he could muster.  "Your sister was a passenger in distress." he added careful to hide his tendency to drop 'h's in his speech.