@@@@@It was a merry, noisy continuation of
@@@@@It was a merry, noisy continuation of the
party
Almost everyone on the crowded car joined in the song started by
three
laughing men when the car teetered around the corner"Oh, the Rock
Island Line, it 0 a mtyfiIe line! The Rock Island Line, it 0 the road
to ride Musically the performance left much to be desired but the
singers neither knew nor caredScarlett and Rhett sang as loudly as
the restWhen they stepped down from the car she continued to join
in
every time the chorus was repeated"Get your ticket at the station
for the Rock Island Line Rhett and three other volunteers helped the
driver unharness the horses, lead them to the opposite end of the car,
and rehitch them for the journey back along Broad then up Meeting to
the terminalThey returned waves and cries of "good night" as the
car
moved away, taking the singers with it"Do you suppose they know
any
other song?"
Scarlett asked"They don't even know that one, and
to
tell the truth neither do IIt didn't seem to make much differenceThen she put her hand over her mouthHer giggle
had sounded very loud now that "The Rock Island Line" was faint in
the
distanceShe watched the lighted car become smaller, then stop,
then
start, then disappear as it turned the cornerIt was very quiet, and
very dark outside the pool of light thrown by the street lamp in front
of the Post OfficeA breath of wind played with the fringe on her
shawlThe air was balmy and soft"It's real warm," she whispered to
RhettHe murmured a wordless affirmative and took out his pocket
watch,
held it in the lamplight"Listen," he said quietlyShe held her breath to listen
harder
Saint Michael's bells chimed once, twiceThe notes hung in the warm
night for a long time"Half past," Rhett said with approva