Ethan Cooper and his best friend, Bert, each grabbed one of little Simon’s hands again and hustled him along between them. Quickly they rounded the station house and charged down the crowded platform. When it seemed as though they had passed more ore cars on the way back than they did when they came, the boys slowed down and surveyed the scene.
“We never went this far from our train,” Bert said, “and we still can’t see the end. How come?”
Ethan frowned. He had no answer to that. The trio turned around and made their way toward the front again.
“Do you see anyone you know?” Bert asked.
“Nope. Where do you s’pose Matron and the girls are?”
The crowd was much smaller than it had been, and the boys anxiously searched the faces of all who passed by.
Simon tugged at Ethan’s hand. “I saw—”
But Ethan cut him off. “Wait until we get on the train, Simon, and then tell me.”
Bert stopped and looked back. “I know we were on this side of the station house. The train didn’t move, so our car has to be here somewhere. Where is everybody, anyway?”