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           Paddyfoundthemanemptysecond-classcompartment,puttheolderboysbythewindowsandFee,Meggieandthebabybytheslidingdoorswhichledintothelongcorridorconnectingcompartments.Faceswouldpeerinhopefullyinsightofaspareseat,tovanishhorrifiedatthesightofsomanyyoungchildren.Sometimesbeingalargefamilywasanadvantage.

           Thenightwascoldenoughtowarrantunstrappingofthebigtartantravelingrugsallthesuitcasesboreontheiroutsides;thoughthecarriagewasnotheated,steelboxesfullofhotasheslayalongthefloorradiatingwarmth,andnoonehadexpectedheatinganywaybecausenothinginAustraliaorNewZealandwaseverheated.

           "Howfarisit,Daddy?"Meggieaskedasthetraindrewout,clankingandrockinggentlyacrossaneternityofpoints.

           "Alongwayfurtherthanitlookedonouratlas,Meggie.Sixhundredandtenmiles.We’llbetherelatetomorrowafternoon."

           Theboysgasped,butforgotitattheblossomingofafairylandoflightsoutside;everyoneclusteredatthewindowsandwatchedwhilethefirstmilesflewbyandstillthehousesdidnotdiminish.Thespeedincreased,thelightsgrewscatteredandfinallywentout,replacedbyaconstantflurryofsparksstreamingpastinahowlingwind.WhenPaddytooktheboysoutsidesoFeecouldfeedHal,Meggiegazedafterthemlongingly.Thesedaysitseemedshewasnottobeincludedasoneoftheboys,notsincethebabyhaddisruptedherlifeandchainedhertothehouseasfirmlyashermotherwas.Notthatshereallyminded,shetoldherselfloyally.