Part 5 (1/2)
His manner was such that the man soon saw the boy did not care to talk about his affairs, and, being a keen observer, too much so for Roy's good, as we shall soon see, the man did not pursue his questioning on those lines.
”Fine scenery,” he remarked. ”Good, open country around here.”
Roy felt that was a safe enough subject to talk about, and he and the man, who introduced himself as Mr. Phelan Baker, spent some time in conversation.
Roy, however, was continually wondering what he should do when the announcement was made that dinner was to be served. He did not want to make any mistakes, and have the car full of pa.s.sengers laugh at him, yet he did not know what was proper to do under the circ.u.mstances.
He had neglected to Inquire how they served meals on trains, and, in fact, had he done so, no one at the ranch could have told him, as not even Mr. Bradner had traveled enough to make it necessary to eat in a dining car.
”If I was back at the ranch I'd know what to do when I heard the grub-call,” thought Roy. ”But this thing has got me puzzled. It sure has. I wonder if they bring you in sandwiches and coffee, as they did to a party I went to? Or do you have to go up and help yourself? I don't see how they cook anything on a train going as fast as this one.
They must have to eat cold victuals. Well, I guess I can stand it for a few days, I've eaten cold bacon and bread when on a round-up, and I'm not going to hold back now. Guess I'll just do as the rest do.”
A little while after this a colored man, in a spotless white suit, pa.s.sed through the parlor car, calling out:
”Dinner is now being served in the dining car. First call for dinner!”
”Well, it's up to me to go to grub now,” thought Roy. ”I wonder how I'll make out?”
CHAPTER V
A QUEER BED
”Are you going to eat on the first call?” asked Mr. Baker, rising from his comfortable chair and looking at Roy.
”I don't know--I think--Yes, I guess I will.”
It suddenly occurred to the boy that he might take advantage of the acquaintance he had formed with the man, and observe just how he ought to conduct himself in the dining car.
”I shall be glad of your company,” spoke Mr. Baker, with a pleasant smile. ”Will you sit at my table?”
”I'm not so very hungry,” remarked Roy, thinking that if he found things too strange he could call for something simple, though the truth was he had an excellent appet.i.te.
”I am not either,” declared Mr. Baker. ”I never eat much while traveling, but I think it best to have my meals regularly. Now, if you'll come with me, we'll see what they have at this traveling hotel.”
He led the way from the parlor to the dining car. If Roy had been astonished at the magnificence of the first coach he was doubly so at the scene which now met his eyes.
Arranged along both sides of the dining car, next to the broad, high windows, were small tables, sparkling with cut-gla.s.s and silver. In the center of each table was a small pot of graceful ferns, while throughout the car there were fine hangings, beautifully inlaid wood, and on the floor a soft carpet. It was, indeed, a fine traveling hotel.
At the tables, not all of which were occupied, were seated beautiful women, some handsomely gowned, and there were men, attired in the height of fas.h.i.+on. For the first time Roy felt rather ashamed of his ordinary ”store” clothes, which were neither properly cut, nor of good material.
”Here is a good table,” said Mr. Baker, indicating one about the center of the car.
Roy took his seat opposite his new acquaintance, a queer feeling of nervousness overcoming him.
”I'd rather ride a bucking bronco any day, than be here,” the boy thought. But he was not going to back out now. He knew he had the money to pay for whatever he ordered, and, he reflected that if he was not as stylishly dressed as the others, he was probably more hungry than any of them, for he had an early breakfast.
As soon as Roy and Mr. Baker were seated, a colored waiter glided swiftly to their table and filled their gla.s.ses from a curiously shaped vessel, called a ”caraffe,” which looked something like a bottle or flask, with a very large body, and a very small neck. Inside was a solid lump of ice, which made the water cold. Roy looked curiously at the piece of frozen crystal. Mr. Baker noted his look of astonishment.
”Don't you like ice water?” he asked.