The train slackened, a brakeman thrust his head in at the door andshouted "Bah,"--a mysterious formality observed on American trains asthey enter towns,--and an elderly lady, two drummers, and a youngman with a satchel got out, followed by the languid envy of the otherpassengers, who had longer or shorter penances of heat and dust beforethem. The train got under way again, while the knot of loafers about thestation proceeded to eye the arrivals as judicially as if they were acommittee of safety to protect the village from invasion by doubtfulcharacters. The old lady, apparently laboring under some suchimpression, regarded them deferentially, as nervous travelers onarriving in strange places generally do regard everybody who seems tofeel at home. The drummers briskly disappeared down the main street,each anxious to anticipate the other at the stores. The young man withthe satchel, however, did not get away till he had shaken hands andexchanged a few good-natured inquiries with one of the loungers.