As the train sped along the
Curlytops could look through the windows off across the fields and
woods through which they passed.
"Isn't it just wonderful," said Mother Martin, "to think of sitting
down to a nice meal which is being cooked for us while the train goes
so fast? Imagine, children, how, years ago, the cowboys and hunters
had to go on horses all the distance out West, and carry their food
on their pony's back or in a wagon called a prairie schooner. How
much easier and quicker and more comfortable it is to travel this
way."
"I'd like to ride on a pony," said Teddy. "I wouldn't care how slow
he went."
"I imagine you wouldn't like it when night came," said his mother,
as she moved a plate so the waiter could set glasses of milk in front
of the children. "You wouldn't like to sleep on the ground with only
a blanket for a bed, would you?"
"'Deed I would!" declared Teddy. "I wish I had--"
Just then the train went around a curve, and, as it was traveling
very fast, the milk which Teddy was raising to his mouth slopped and
spilled down in his lap.
"Oh, Teddy!" cried his mother.
"I--I couldn't help it!" he exclaimed, as he wiped up as much of the
milk as he could on a napkin with which the waiter hastened to him.
"No, we know it was the train," said Daddy Martin. "It wouldn't have
happened if you had been traveling on pony-back, and had stopped to
camp out for the night before you got your supper; would it, Ted?" he
asked with a smile.
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