Train Staterooms

Sometime around six o'clock the train whistle blew and the old conductor carried a bottle of soda into the Princess's sleeper. The girl was reading a book. It was Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. The book was in French. The conductor put the soda down on the table and looked at the girl. "Why aren't you at the club car?" The girl did not look up at him, she continued reading. Didn't even blink. The old conductor stood there a moment. As if he were not even aware that he himself had spoken. Then he moved. He stepped out into the corridor.