Station-master,
porters, all had a different tale. At last we decided to risk seven
o'clock in the evening, and the four orderlies and ourselves, copper
tray and all, bade farewell to the Belgian sisters, who had cut off
their hair, and wandered across to the station. The train arrived two
hours late and stood, ready to go out, guarded by tatterdemalions with
guns.
"You can't get in yet," said one of them barring our way.
"Why?"
"Ne snam."
The freebooting instinct arose in us; we awaited our opportunity, dodged
between two soldiers, and settled ourselves comfortably. Several
officials looked in and said nothing; another came and forbade us to
stay there, and passed on. An old woman came with a broom and cleaned
up. We sat on our feet to get them out of the way, somebody squirted
white disinfectant on the floor, and we were left in peace.
The train started at eleven, moved as far as a siding and stayed till
four. We found the four Red Cross men had only nine shillings between
them.
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