human
Could you oblige us by going to the next station and having the telegraph operator send word to headquarters that we're stalled?
gpt
Yes, I'll do that for you, said Uncle Toby.
human
I thought you were whistling for help,
gpt
That's what I was, came the answer.
human
I saw you just in time. 'Tisn't often that an auto has to come to the help of a steam engine, but it happened this time,
gpt
Is there anything else I can do for you?
human
Well, I don't know, replied the conductor slowly.
gpt
We haven't many passengers on board, and all except a little boy and girl who are on their way to Pocono will be all right. The way it is now we'll hardly get there to-night, or anyhow, not until late, and they are traveling alone. They expect to be met at Pocono by--let me see--I have his name here somewhere, and he began searching among the papers in his pocket.
human
The children are in my charge, he went on.
gpt
Their mother had to go to a hospital and--
human
She did? cried Uncle Toby so suddenly that the engineer and conductor looked at him in surprise.
gpt
Is the name of the man who was to meet these children Mr. Toby Bardeen?
human
Why, yes, that's his name. I have it here on a piece of paper, said the conductor.
gpt
But how did you--
human
Are those children Harry and Mary Benton?
gpt
Those are their names, certainly, the conductor admitted.
human
But how in the world--
gpt
I'm Mr. Toby Bardeen, interrupted the old sailor.
human
Uncle Toby is what the Curlytops call me. I was expecting these children, but I had no idea they'd arrive so soon. It's only by chance that I'm passing this way. I didn't expect Mary and Harry for nearly a week.
gpt
Well, the society that gave them in my charge, to see that they got safely to Pocono and to Mr. Bardeen, told me their mother had to go to the hospital sooner than she expected, reported the conductor.
human
I was going to telegraph you when I got to the next station to make sure you'd be on hand. They said--that is, the lady of the Fresh Air Society said she'd written you to expect the children earlier.
gpt
Well, I didn't get the letter, because I left home to go to visit the Curlytops, said Uncle Toby.
human
However, it's all right now. I'll take the children right into the auto with me and soon have them home. It's lucky I met you.
gpt
Very lucky, indeed! agreed the conductor.
human
I'll go back and get the children ready for you. Poor little things, they're quite sad and forlorn. Their father was killed in the war, I understand.
gpt
Yes, agreed Uncle Toby.
human
At least he's missing, and I guess he must be killed or they'd have heard something from him by this time. However, I'll take charge of the children. I used to know their mother many years ago, but I haven't seen her for some time.
gpt
If you'll drive along the road, around the cut, to the rear of the train, the snow won't be so deep for the children, said the engineer.
human
I'll help you carry them out,