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the opposite side of the way； a velveteen man； carrying his day's dinner in
a small bundle that might have been larger without suspicion of gluttony；
and pelting away towards the Junction at a great pace。
〃There's Lamps！〃 said Barbox Brothers。 〃And by the bye〃
Ridiculous； surely； that a man so serious； so self…contained； and not yet
three days emancipated from a routine of drudgery； should stand rubbing
his chin in the street； in a brown study about Comic Songs。
〃Bedside？〃 said Barbox Brothers testily。 〃Sings them at the bedside？
Why at the bedside； unless he goes to bed drunk？ Does； I shouldn't
wonder。 But it's no business of mine。 Let me see。 Mugby Junction；
Mugby Junction。 Where shall I go next？ As it came into my head last
night when I woke from an uneasy sleep in the carriage and found myself
here； I can go anywhere from here。 Where shall I go？ I'll go and look
at the Junction by daylight。 There's no hurry； and I may like the look of
one Line better than another。〃
But there were so many Lines。 Gazing down upon them from a
bridge at the Junction； it was as if the concentrating Companies formed a
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great Industrial Exhibition of the works of extraordinary ground spiders
that spun iron。 And then so many of the Lines went such wonderful ways；
so crossing and curving among one another； that the eye lost them。 And
then some of them appeared to start with the fixed intention of going five
hundred miles； and all of a sudden gave it up at an insignificant barrier； or
turned off into a workshop。 And then others； like intoxicated men； went
a little way very straight； and surprisingly slued round and came back
again。 And then others were so chock…full of trucks of coal； others were so
blocked with trucks of casks； others were so gorged with trucks of ballast；
others were so set apart for wheeled objects like immense iron cotton…reels：
while others were so bright and clear； and others were so delivered over to
rust and ashes and idle wheelbarrows out of work； with their legs in the air
（looking much like their masters on strike）； that there was no beginning；
middle； or end to the bewilderment。
Barbox Brothers stood puzzled on the bridge； passing his right hand
across the lines on his forehead； which multiplied while he looked down；
as if the railway Lines were getting themselves photographed on that
sensitive plate。 Then was heard a distant ringing of bells and blowing of
whistles。 Then； puppet…looking heads of men popped out of boxes in
perspective； and popped in again。 Then； prodigious wooden razors； set
up on end； began shaving the atmosphere。 Then； several locomotive
engines in several directions began to scream and be agitated。 Then；
along one avenue a train came in。 Then； along another two trains
appeared that didn't come in； but stopped without。 Then； bits of trains
broke off。 Then； a struggling horse became involved with them。 Then；
the locomotives shared the bits of trains； and ran away with the whole。
〃I have not made my next move much clearer by this。 No hurry。 No
need to make up my mind to…day； or to…morrow； nor yet the day after。 I'll
take a walk。〃
It fell out somehow （perhaps he meant it should） that the walk tended
to the platform at which he had alighted； and to Lamps's room。 But
Lamps was not in his room。 A pair of velveteen shoulders were adapting
themselves to one of the impressions on the wall by Lamps's fireplace； but
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otherwise the room was void。 In passing back to get out of the station
again； he learnt the cause of this vacancy； by catching sight of Lamps on
the opposite line of railway； skipping along the top of a train； from
carriage to carriage； and catching lighted namesakes thrown up to him by
a coadjutor。
〃He is busy。 He has not much time for composing or singing Comic
Songs this morning； I take it。〃
The direction he pursued now was into the country； keeping very near
to the side of one great Line of railway； and within easy view of others。
〃I have half a mind；〃' he said； glancing around； 〃to settle the question from
this point； by saying； 'I'll take this set of rails； or that； or t'other； and stick
to it。' They separate themselves from the confusion； out here； and go
their ways。〃
Ascending a gentle hill of some extent； he came to a few cottages。
There； looking about him as a very reserved man might who had never
looked about him in his life before； he saw some six or eight young
children come merrily trooping and whooping from one of the cottages；
and disperse。 But not until they had all turned at the little garden…gate；
and kissed their hands to a face at the upper window： a low window
enough； although the upper； for the cottage had but a story of one room
above the ground。
Now； that the children should do this was nothing； but that they should
do this to a face lying on the sill of the open window； turned towards them
in a horizontal position； and apparently only a face； was something
noticeable。 He looked up at the window again。 Could only see a very
fragile； though a very bright face； lying on one cheek on the window…sill。
The delicate smiling face of a girl or woman。 Framed in long bright
brown hair； round which was tied a light blue band or fillet； passing under
the chin。
He walked on； turned back； passed the window again； shyly glanced
up again。 No change。 He struck off by a winding branch…road at the
top of the hillwhich he must otherwise have descendedkept the cottages
in view； worked his way round at a distance so as to come out once more
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into the main road； and be obliged to pass the cottages again。 The face
still lay on the window…sill； but not so much inclined towards him。 And
now there were a pair of delicate hands too。