We have often been struck with the difference of manner assumed by
railway officials towards different people. Shut your eyes, and you can
tell from the tone of their voices whom they are addressing. The
following examples will best illustrate our meaning. The railway
potentate is calling upon the passengers to get their tickets ready. He
calls:
To the Third Class.--_Fortissime._--"Tickets, tickets; come get
your tickets ready."
To the Second Class.--_Forte._--"Tickets, gents; get your tickets ready,
gents."
To the First Class.--_Piano._--"Get your tickets ready, gentlemen, if
you please; tickets ready, if you please, gentlemen."
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[Illustration: THE H GRATUITOUS
_Lady._ "Can I book through from here to Oban?"
_Well-educated Clerk (correcting her)._ "Holborn, you mean. No; but you
can book to Broad Street, and then take a 'bus!"]
* * * * *