Chapter Two

After another ten minutes, the train stopped at the platform. Following a flurry of activity, Doro, Aggie, and Gramma Rose said their last farewells to Doro’s father before getting on-board. A porter helped them find their drawing room compartment, where their bags were already in place. The lodging was larger and finer than Doro’s usual rail accommodations, but her parents had insisted on paying for a space large enough for all three women.

“Our sleeping compartment on the way out was lovely,” Aggie said as she swiveled to take in the entire area, “but this space is luxurious.”

“It certainly is,” Gramma Rose agreed. “Although I didn’t want Julia and John to fuss, all three of us can be together.”

“I understand why this type of compartment is called a drawing room,” Doro observed. “It’s furnished like one, and the sofa and lounge chairs look comfortable. At night, we’ll have four full beds, and we can hang up some of our clothes, if we want.” She gestured to the closet. “I always have a lavatory in my compartment but no closet, just a clothes rod. Since I only need one bed, the spaces have been cramped. This is roomy.” She flung out her arms and spun around. The other two chuckled.

“And wonderful. We could spend the entire day in here and not feel confined,” Aggie added.

“We sure could,” Doro agreed.

“True, but we’ll want to go to the dining car for meals,” her grandmother said. “Except for lunch today, when we can enjoy the basket your mother sent.”

Doro nodded, since she had no intention of limiting herself to staying in the compartment. Despite her father’s admonition about Bailey, Spieth, and Mathers, she was curious. Bumping into the younger men might answer some of her questions. She wondered about Luann Truman Mathers and Grayson Bailey, and about how Phineas Spieth had also gotten on the professor’s bad side. Had one of them called on Luann when her husband was away from home? It should not matter, but curiosity was calling, as it did often.

After stowing their belongings and having lunch, the three women settled by the wide window and watched the scenery pass. Gramma Rose dozed off an hour after they left Colorado Springs, so Doro and Aggie became engrossed in their own books as the train sped along.

As the train continued southeast out of Colorado Springs, the topography slowly altered. With the mountains behind them, the ground grew flatter and, when they connected with the Acheson line and headed due east, the elevation change became marked. Shortly after they got on the Topeka line, Gramma Rose woke up.

“I see we’re into Kansas,” she said.

“We are,” Doro agreed. “No matter how many times I make this trip, I’m always amazed at the miles and miles of empty spaces. In Ohio, there’s farmland, but you don’t go far without seeing a building, a vehicle, or people. Here, it’s completely different.”

“It sure is,” Aggie agreed. “I was stunned when we came out. Nothing to see for hours on end. Or so it seemed.”

“There are isolated ranches and small towns in places, but you girls are right. This part of the country is different from northwest Ohio,” Gramma Rose observed.

A slight shiver went through Aggie. “Maybe it’s being raised in the city that makes me feel uneasy about not seeing any living beings for a time.”

“Probably so,” Rose said. “We’ve hit a couple of whistle-stop stations, and there’ll be a few more before we get to Dodge City.”

“Which is the next big town. Not that it’s so large,” Doro said.

“Since there’s not much to see, I’m going back to my book,” Aggie said.

“Me, too,” Doro added, and Gramma Rose agreed.

As they went farther into Kansas later that afternoon, the sky darkened. Doro flipped on one of the sconce lamps before peering out at the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. “It looks like we’re headed into bad weather.”

Seated on the sofa across from Doro, her grandmother stirred and followed her gaze. “You’re right. We could be in for a rough ride on this next section of the railway. That happened the first time I went out to see your mother. It was right about in this area, too.” Gramma Rose clucked her tongue. “We get powerful storms in Ohio, but nothing like I saw that day.”

Aggie, sitting next to her friend, leaned over for a better view. “I’ve heard about tornadoes in this part of the country. Huge ones. Maybe the train will stop at the next station, so we can get off for a while.”

Rose leaned across to pat Aggie’s hand. “We were late getting out of the Springs, so they’ll want to get back on schedule, if possible. But don’t worry. A tornado is unlikely. Just some thunderstorms ahead.”

The concern knitting her friend’s brow made Doro offer additional reassurance. “I’ve been back-and-forth to Colorado every summer for years. Before Dad moved, we went together. Since then, I’ve traveled on my own. There have been a few storms while coming or going, but nothing terrible. We’ll be fine.”

“If you say so.” Aggie sounded less than comforted.

A chuckle left Doro. “You didn’t have problems on the way west, did you?”

“No, but there were clear skies for the entire trip.” Aggie waved her hand toward the outside. “Those are ominous clouds. And what about the couplers for the extra cars? Remember the man on the platform? He was worried.”

Although she knew next to nothing about trains, Doro rushed to placate Aggie. “He wasn’t with the railroad, so he’s no expert.”

“That’s true. I’m sure the cars are secured,” Gramma Rose said. “Although I experienced a tremendous storm once, the train continued on with no trouble.”

Since Doro knew Aggie fretted, she aimed for distraction. “In a few days, we’ll be back home. You must look forward to seeing Wade.”

The dismay ebbed from Aggie’s expression. “I am, and I’m eager to hear what the board of trustees decides about employing married women, even mothers.”

For a moment, Doro considered revealing her father’s perspective but, not wanting to get her friend’s hopes up, she resisted. “It won’t be long before we find out.” As she studied her friend’s expression, Doro noted the tension there. “Times are changing, and other colleges employ married mothers.”

“I know,” Aggie murmured. “I met a woman professor with a family when we visited your dad’s campus. Remember when I went to the lavatory, and you wondered why I took so long?”

After searching her memory, Doro nodded. “You said you got turned around.”

“I did, and a gracious lady helped me find my way. While she was escorting me to the history department, we talked about being professors, and I mentioned the Michaw College Board of Trustees meeting soon. I also said I hope they allow women with families to teach,” Aggie said.

“What did she say about that?” Gramma Rose inquired.

“She’s a wife and mother. Three children, like Wade.” Aggie cleared her throat. “Professor Sumner, that’s her name, is glad she can keep teaching, but it isn’t easy to juggle everything. Her husband is a doctor, so he gets called out at odd hours. Like Wade. They have a part-time housekeeper, which helps. But a doctor earns more than a constable, so they can afford to hire someone.”

Since Aggie’s uneasiness was apparent, Doro pointed out his support. “Wade’s family helps now, and they would if you two marry. I could pitch in, too.”

“Of course, they would, and so would I,” Gramma Rose added. “It doesn’t take long to drive out to Michaw from Sylvania. My old Model T is reliable.”

A soft smile touched Aggie’s lips. “Thanks to both of you, but Professor Sumner made me stop and think. Her mother lives with them, and she helped until she had a heart attack. Now, she’s limited in her activities. Wade’s mother has already had one attack, not to mention her boarders requiring her attention. During the school year, she has to tend to their needs.”

Aggie’s dismay worried Doro, mostly because she had made valid points, ones that Doro needed to consider, too. “I don’t know Professor Sumner, but perhaps she was feeling worn out when you ran into her.”

“It’s summer vacation,” Aggie pointed out. “If she’s tired now, how will she be during the term?”

The question made an excellent point, and Doro was not sure how to address it. Luckily, her grandmother stepped in.

“Sometimes, anticipating difficulties is more unnerving than facing them,” Gramma Rose observed. “I’m not saying it’s easy for women to work and maintain a home, but widows often do it because they have no choice. Most of them don’t have professional positions like the two of you and Professor Sumner. I doubt if one type of job is simpler to balance with a family. I didn’t do it myself, but times are changing. Perhaps, someday, most women will work.”

“Perhaps so,” Doro said, but such a thing was hard to imagine. To offer additional reassurance, she mentioned her father’s observations, although she did not cite him as the source. “Wade is a good man, and he’s already used to caring for his kids. Doesn’t he cook and clean?”

“He cooks most of the meals,” Aggie admitted. “His sister comes to clean once a week, but Wade keeps the house in order on a daily basis. Mostly, he does a good job. And the children help.”

Abruptly, Doro wondered if Ev cooked. His studio apartment had a tiny kitchenette, so he ate most of his meals in the men’s faculty residence, but what had he done as a policeman and a federal agent, the jobs he had held before coming to Michaw? As far as cleaning, Doro had only seen his campus accommodation once, when she’d dropped off Tee in May. The place had been spotless, so he was not a slob.

“You look pensive, Doro,” her grandmother said.

Warmth rushed into Doro’s face. Her errant thoughts would not be shared. Nor would she give them more time. “Just thinking about our arrival home.” Which was partly true. She addressed Aggie. “Wade is meeting the train, isn’t he?”

Aggie, a smile replacing her frown, nodded. “Since we arrive in Sylvania on Friday evening, he’ll be there.”

“I like Wade,” Gramma Rose said. “He’s a fine young man.”

“He is,” Doro agreed. Although the lawman was fifteen years older than her friend, to a septuagenarian, Wade must seem youthful.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on their door. Doro opened it to find the conductor, Walter Sayers, in the corridor. The man, of medium height and build, with nearly coal black hair and equally dark eyes, had introduced himself when they boarded the train. As he had then, Sayers ran one finger inside his heavily starched shirt collar.

“Looks like we’ll be running into some big storms ahead,” he said. “Dinner will be served early in the dining car, so go soon. It’ll fill up as folks get the word. We started at this end of the train, so you’re finding out first. The big dining car has already prepared meals, but a few folks riding up front may filter back. We never know.”

“Thank you,” Doro replied before the man moved on.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Aggie said after the door closed behind Sayers.

“They’re being cautious,” Gramma Rose said. “Let’s freshen up and have dinner. A hot meal will be lovely.”

“It will. We can eat something and come back here,” Doro suggested. “Even though sunset is a couple of hours off, the storm clouds will make it get dark early, so we won’t see much scenery for the rest of the afternoon.”

“We can play whist,” her grandmother suggested.

Doro and Aggie chuckled because Rose McLaren suggested her favorite card game at every opportunity.

When the three women arrived in the dining car ten minutes later, only a handful of tables were occupied, so they easily found one and sat down. Despite the dinner hour being moved up, the usual formal place settings were ready. Sparkling sterling silverware, crystal wine and water goblets, a starched linen cloth with matching napkins, and a small vase of flowers provided an elegant touch on every table.

“Let’s sit farther back,” Doro said, moving on and taking a deep breath. “The aroma of bread is heavenly.”

“It is,” Aggie agreed, “and there must be ham baked with cloves.”

“You’re both right. I also smell coffee. A fresh-brewed cup sounds marvelous,” Gramma Rose said. When they decided on a table, she continued. “Train travel has come a long way since I was a girl. We couldn’t have gone all the way from Sylvania to Colorado Springs when I was born. Of course, my father had to hook up the horses to go even the shortest distance. Motoring is much easier.”

“Some folks were still using horses when I was little,” Doro said. “A couple of the farmers outside Michaw haven’t made the change yet.”

A sigh left her grandmother. “Not everyone wants to move with the times, but they will eventually.”

Doro and Aggie exchanged a long look, since both young women knew the sentiment all too well. Eventually was a word they had heard often, especially in regard to women’s roles.

The arrival of a young waiter, tall and thin, interrupted. “Good afternoon, ladies, I’m Joshua,” he said with a smile. “I’m sorry we don’t have our usual menu, but the kitchen staff is rushing to serve dinner before we encounter the storm, which could be within the next couple of hours. The head chef is back here, since he’s already prepared food for the main dining car.”

Doro glanced around. “This is a combination car, isn’t it? One that was added in the Springs?”

“Yes, miss,” the young waiter said. “With two extra cars, another dining one was necessary. Otherwise, folks back here would have a long walk to the one that was already in place. It’s a bit unusual for the chef to move around, and this kitchen is smaller, but the food will be good. In any case, he has a compartment at the end of the train, so it works out.”

“I sure it will,” Gramma Rose agreed, “and we’re grateful an earlier meal is being served. We’ll be tucked into our compartment playing cards before we run into the rain.”

“Very good, ma’am,” the young man said as he pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket. “We have a tomato and cucumber salad, trout, baked ham, sweet potatoes, and green beans. There’s also fresh baked rolls and a custard for dessert. We’ll have more choices tomorrow.”

“That’s a nice offering on short notice,” Gramma Rose assured him before giving her order.

Doro and Aggie followed with their preferences, but a strident voice intruded. “Waiter, waiter. Get over here. I’ve been waiting for far too long.”

Doro shifted to see Professor Mathers, his broad face flushed with anger, waving one huge hand in the air. Recalling the train station debacle, and her father’s observation about the man being demanding, she felt a surge of dismay. Was it too late to find a table far away from him?

“We saw him in the station,” her grandmother murmured. “He was unpleasant there, too.”

“Mr. Mathers often travels this route. Too often,” the young man replied with a frown. “I work it a lot myself, so I’ve met him.”

The professor shouted again. “Can you hear, young man?”

“Sorry, ladies, I’d best see to him,” the waiter said before darting to the other table. His voice did not carry, but Mather’s did.

“I want a steak, a baked potato with sour cream and butter, plenty of rolls, coffee, and pie à la mode for dessert.” Although Joshua stood next to his table, Mathers bellowed at him.

A middle-aged couple, just entering the car, halted in place. When the woman gestured to the nearest table, her husband nodded. After helping his wife into a chair, the man sat across from her, facing the debacle. Doro decided they were both wise: the lady for wanting a table far from the noise and the man for monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, the waiter took one step back. “Professor, we aren’t able to accommodate special orders this evening. We’re likely to run into a line of heavy thunderstorms within the next hour or two, which is why we’re starting dinner service early.”

“Nonsense,” Mathers insisted. “The cook must’ve baked potatoes and pies already. Grilling a steak won’t take long.”

Doro saw the waiter’s shoulders rise and fall as if he had taken a deep breath. The poor kid, and he was no more than nineteen, did not deserve to be treated so abominably. No one did.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but we have a limited menu,” the young man replied, his voice louder and edgier than before. “The chef will be pleased to fix any meal you want tomorrow.”

“Do not speak to me in such a tone,” Mathers replied. “Get that cook out here. I want to talk to him.”

Doro witnessed the scene with dismay. Joshua’s tone had been controlled and respectful. Was the professor always so demanding and obnoxious? Her father’s comments had indicated that might be the case.

As the exchange went on, more diners entered: a man of around forty and a boy who appeared to be in his early teens. Unlike the couple, this pair took their places next to Doro’s table. The gentleman nodded to the women, while the boy gaped at the professor before they both got seated.

Another waiter, close to forty and wiry in build, approached the Mathers’ table. “You’re disturbing other guests and picking on someone younger than yourself, which ain’t surprising. Joshua already explained about this special situation, didn’t he?”

A harrumph rumbled out of Mathers. “As often as I travel this route, I expect better service. Clyde, remember that one of my friends is with the railroad. I’m sure he won’t be pleased when he finds out how I’ve been treated.” The man’s voice was loud enough to echo through the entire car, while his gaze fixed on the older waiter.

Anger flared in Clyde’s gaze. “Throwing your weight around, as usual, but you don’t scare me. You can’t take nothing else from me. Not after what you did.”

The color in Mathers’ round face deepened. “You miscreant. How dare you? I don’t know why you haven’t lost your job, but that will change as soon as I get to my destination.”

When Clyde moved toward Mathers, Joshua grabbed his arm. “Don’t.”

The older man glanced over his shoulder at his junior colleague. “He ain’t ought to talk to you, or nobody else, like he does. He’s got away with too much for too long. That’s gotta end.” Clyde’s voice rose with every word.

Doro looked around the dining car, but no one moved to intercede, although all eyes were on Mathers. Perhaps, it was best if passengers did not get involved. Where was the conductor? Should she look for him?

Before anything else was said, Grayson Bailey and Phineas Spieth, just entering the dining car, intervened. Bailey stopped at the table, while Spieth stood a couple of paces behind him. “Mathers, you need to lower your voice and let these men do their jobs. All of us are being inconvenienced, but you’re the only one acting like a spoiled brat. But you always want your way, don’t you?”

Evidently, the two young graduate students had heard most of the debacle. Bailey’s features were carefully schooled, and Spieth’s jaw was set hard, but the former’s tone had cut like a knife. Doro’s continuing survey, an effort to find someone who might quell the growing tension, was interrupted by the professor’s strident voice.

“How dare you?” Mathers surged to his feet, knocking over the small table and his chair in the process.

Both waiters jumped back to avoid shattering glass. Water and flowers, from a crystal vase, scattered across the floor, while the linen tablecloth and napkin hung askew. Gasps resonated through the car as other passengers reacted.

Mr. Bailey, who stood his ground, put one big hand against Mathers’ barrel chest to hold him in place, but the older man plowed forward. As he did, shards of glass crumbled under his feet. When the professor lunged at him, Bailey pushed hard to keep him at bay, which caused Mathers to fall over the upended the table and into one across the aisle. Luckily, no one was sitting there, but the lovely settings scattered everywhere. Mathers labored to his feet and again sprang at Bailey, who stood his ground. Spieth released a humorless guffaw before shoving Mathers into his chair. “Sit down and stay there.”

“You insolent whelp. You haven’t changed a bit. Always obnoxious,” Mathers bellowed. His narrowed gaze went from one young man to the other. “I’ve had a theft on my property recently. Probably about the same time you two got back in town this month and back in June.”

Gray looked incredulous. “Now, you’re really reaching.”

“You are,” Phin agreed. “You’d be smarter to look at your current students, or at least the ones you’ve cheated recently.”

Once again, the professor’s face became beet red. “How dare you?”

Phin chuckled. “You said that already.”

“Let’s find a table,” Gray said.

“As long as it’s far from old man Mathers,” his friend replied. “That way, we can ignore the coot. He’s making a fool of himself again. Maybe we should go to the other dining car. There’s a bigger one up ahead. Or the club car should offer light fare.”

“Most of the passenger cars are nearer those places, which will mean they’re filled. Let’s stay here. Despite the old coot,” Bailey said.

Mathers’ face turned purple as he stood to confront Spieth. “You’re as bad as he is, and you’re even more foolish. I have influence with your professors, who already know about your previous academic problems. They may find your thesis to be inadequate, you young pup, and I can tell you right now that’s a strong possibility, if I have any say. Consider going home for good.”

Spieth, an angry flush nearly blotting out his freckles, grabbed the old professor by his lapels. “You won’t get away with that. I’ll see to it.” When he let Mathers go, the professor stumbled backward and again tumbled to the floor.

“How dare you touch me?” Mathers roared. “You’ll pay for this, Spieth. Mark my words.”

Spieth’s response was to turn away. “Come on, Gray, let’s find a table at the other end of the car. Being near this old buffoon will spoil our appetites.”

“Good idea,” Bailey, his face fixed in a frown, replied before both young men retraced their steps and found a place to sit.

Joshua helped Mathers to his feet. “Are you all right, sir?”

The professor jerked free. “No, I’m not. I want to speak with the conductor. First, however, get this table cleaned up and bring the cook out here.”

“Yes, sir,” Joshua said before picking up the debris littering the floor.

Mathers, still fuming, turned on Clyde. “Aren’t you going to help him, you good-for-nothing ignoramus?”

The older waiter fisted his hands. “Get out of our way.”

Before the professor could respond, Gramma Rose called out to him. “Take a seat with us for a few moments. That will make it easier for the waiters to get your table back in order.”

Doro and Aggie exchanged a stunned glance, but said nothing as Mathers levered himself into the empty chair at their table.

“Thank you,” he said, but his voice did not hold even the slightest note of gratitude. “The behavior of servants and young folks is appalling.”

What Doro found appalling was the professor’s arrogance. Not that Bailey and Spieth had acted with decorum. And what had goaded the older waiter? Mathers must have an inkling. “Clyde seemed upset.” The man’s comments evoked curiosity. How well did the waiter know the professor? Did they have some connection outside the railroad?

A harrumph left Mathers. “Clyde Oscar is ignorant and ill-mannered. The railroad should not tolerate such behavior, and I shall see that his superiors know.”

“You wouldn’t want to get him fired.” Gramma Rose spoke in a cajoling tone. “A fine, respected scholar like yourself is above such antics.”

Mathers’ expression softened as he turned to the septuagenarian. “You came to my home with Mrs. Banyon and these young ladies, I believe.”

“Your wife was kind enough to invite us on several occasions,” Gramma replied, “but I only saw you once in passing. I’m Rosalyn McLaren, Julia Banyon’s mother. I believe you formally met my granddaughter Dorothea at the train station, and this is her best friend, Agatha Darwine. There wasn’t a chance for us to be introduced.”

Doro grimaced. The debacle between the professor and the two young men had taken front stage, and Mathers seemed intent on a continued spectacle.

A slight smile formed on the professor’s thick lips. “It’s good to see young ladies traveling with a chaperone. Old-fashioned virtues make girls more appealing to decent men.” He chuckled. “You two aren’t really girls, but you’re still of marriageable age.”

His archaic attitude and subtle criticism had Doro fuming. With her twenty-sixth birthday in three weeks, she did not consider herself a spinster, although others might. Besides, the term was old-fashioned and insulting, words that described the professor. “Sir...” Before she could say more, her grandmother interceded.

“Since the Great War, times have changed. Many young women, like Doro and Aggie, wait to wed, and they have careers.” Gramma Rose spoke in a calm tone, but steel glinted in her gaze.

“Foolishness, if you ask me. We have only a few female professors at Pikeley, thank goodness,” Mathers said.

“Colorado College has some. A few are married with children. As my grandmother said, times have changed.” Doro could not keep an edge from her voice.

“Which is not necessarily a good thing,” Mathers retorted with a scowl. “Your Michaw College is small, isn’t it?”

Doro could not disagree with the assessment, but small schools were often trailblazers. “It is, but Michaw has been known as a progressive school. Soon, we expect the trustees to allow married women, even mothers, to work there.”

A harrumph left Mathers. “Your father once mentioned the college was all-male before the Great War. Foolish to change the policy. Women ought to be home with a husband and children.”

Again, Doro inwardly grimaced. Sadly, he was not alone is his sentiments. The previous fall, some male professors at Michaw had tried to turn back the hands of time, but they had failed. The school remained a co-educational institution. “Not everyone agrees with that sentiment,” Doro said.

“Trustees at your little college may be weak, but bigger schools seldom promote women. Nor do many hire them,” the professor said. “Wise practices that smaller entities ought to mimic.”

Doro bit her lip to keep from chastising the man for his backward ideas. She knew well that a number of major universities rarely hired and elevated women, mostly because of men like Mathers. In some places, procedures were changing, partly due to more girls getting degrees, which she pointed out to the professor. “Many young women attend college now, and some expect to use their degrees.”

“Foolishness,” Mathers muttered. “Same with allowing the lower classes to get a college education. They get above themselves and resent being put in their places. Jealous of their betters, too, and that only leads to larceny and worse.”

His rambling evoked a one-word question from Doro. “Larceny?”

“Yes, larceny. We’ve been plagued by my papers coming up missing, right in our home. It’s why I’m strict with Luann about our guests. She’ll welcome anyone through the door,” the professor said.

“I hope you aren’t referring to us.” Doro could not keep a note of sarcasm from her voice.

“Not at all, my dear,” Mathers replied. “When our butler’s been busy, Luann has invited students and former students inside. Several times, the papers on my desk were in disarray afterward.”

“That doesn’t mean the students handled them,” Gramma Rose pointed out. “Perhaps, a servant inadvertently disturbed them.”

“Or maybe Luann did,” Aggie added.

A snort left Mathers. “The help knows better, and so does my wife.”

Doro considered his revelations. The furtive figure had come from the library side of the house. She had not noticed any papers in the man’s possession, but they could have been tucked into his jacket. But why take items from Mathers’ desk?

At that point, Joshua hurried over and addressed Mathers. “Your table is restored, and I’ll get your meal right away, sir.”

“See that you do,” Mathers said with a sneer. “I should’ve gone to the other dining car. However, it’s a long way up there. If the help is better, some of them ought to come back here.”

After the young waiter rushed off, Gramma Rose gave the professor a polite dismissal. “Enjoy your dinner in privacy.”

For a moment, he did not move or speak. Then, he rose, nodded, and returned to his table.

“What a boor,” Aggie murmured, her eyes wide.

“There is no excuse for such atrocious behavior,” Gramma Rose said. “None at all. The other two young men were right to intercede, but their rude comments didn’t help. John told us to steer clear of them, and he was right.”

While Doro agreed, she remained silent. The confrontation in the Colorado Springs train station rose in her memory. The threesome evidently had a history, a checkered one, according to her father. What about Mathers’ accusations of theft? Had the man she’d seen been one of them? But who was the man? Gray? Phin? Or someone else? And what about Mathers’ threat? Could he influence professors at another school? Doro did not think so, but the man had obviously wanted to scare Mr. Spieth. And what had Mathers meant about Spieth’s history? What was there to know? Her glance went to where he and Grayson Bailey were sitting. Both young men looked calmer, but how long would it last? And what about Clyde? What was the waiter’s connection to the professor? Last, but far from least, Mathers’ attitude toward women appalled Doro. Avoiding him, even when he was alone, was now her strategy.

The young waiter returned with the professor’s meal, but the man did not thank him. Instead, Mathers fumed about the chef. “Where is Andre? I know he’s working this run, since I asked the conductor when I got on. Get him out here now or I’ll be reporting the two of you to my friend, along with Clyde.”

“Sir, he’s very busy,” the young waiter said in a placating tone.

Mathers banged his beefy fist on the table. Luckily, the glassware had not yet been replaced, but the silverware clattered to the floor. “I’ll go to the kitchen, if I must.”

Joshua, who looked at wit’s end, nodded. “I’ll get Chef Andre, sir.”

After the young man dashed off, Doro turned to her dining companions. “Mr. Mathers is worse than Dad told me. He’s beyond demanding.”

“He’s an oaf,” her grandmother said. “The chef has his hands full, especially with two kitchens to supervise. All the dining car workers do, too. It’s appalling that Mr. Mathers is so focused on himself. I only invited him to sit with us briefly so he’d stop harassing the waiters.” She glared at the man, but he was busy chastising the older waiter.

“I need clean cutlery,” the professor said. “And there are still shards of glass on the floor.”

The waiter, his thin face set in severe lines, looked to be near the breaking point. “We got almost all of it, and we have others to serve.” His tone was harsh and hard.

Mathers clucked his tongue. “Such incompetence.”

At that moment, the chef, flushed and flustered, approached Mathers. “Sir, I can’t prepare special meals tonight. We are rushing to feed everyone before we encounter the storm. This run, I have a large kitchen and a small one to supervise. I’m stretched thin, and so is my staff. Tomorrow night, I will be happy to take your order, but not now.” Nothing in the man’s tone indicated any pleasure at agreeing to the professor’s wishes. Quite the contrary.

“Ridiculous,” Mathers roared. “It takes no time for a decent cook to grill a steak.”

Andre’s face went crimson and his dark gaze grew stormy. “I am a chef, sir. Not a mere cook.”

A harrumph left Mathers. “Cook or chef. Do your job and fix me a steak.”

The chef’s cheeks puffed out as he sucked in a long breath. “Sir, my job is to serve all passengers, not to cater to a demanding few.”

When Andre turned away, Mathers grabbed the sleeve of his chef’s jacket. “I have a friend who is high in this railroad. Rest assured, I’ll report your uselessness to him.”

Andre yanked his arm loose and spun to face the professor. “Useless? Useless? I’ve worked at the finest hotels and restaurants. Thankfully, only a few diners were as gauche as you. Few passengers are, either.”

“You jackanapes,” the professor shouted. “You better have something decent for me to snack on tonight. It’s too long between dinner and breakfast on the regular schedule. Now, you’ve moved the evening meal up, so I’ll need something substantial. See that it’s where I can easily find it.”

Because Mathers still failed to modulate his voice, passengers turned to stare. Doro noticed Phineas Spieth leaning sideways and shaking his head. She hoped he and Grayson Bailey stayed at their table.

“Do not wake me or my staff,” the chef shot back. “The key will be where you can locate it. So will food. As for the time of the meal, the other kitchen is serving now, as well, and that is at the conductor’s request.”

“You’ll be sorry you were so rude,” Mathers blurted out. “Very sorry.”

The chef glanced at the professor over his shoulder. “Someone needs to make you sorry for being such a clod.” Andre stomped off, leaving a sputtering Mathers in his wake.

While Mathers fell silent, whispers went through the other diners, all of whom had observed the latest squabble. As the professor glanced around, his gaze fixed on Doro and her table. “I’m sorry you ladies had to experience the awful rudeness of the help. Some folks don’t know their place.”

Doro wanted to say Mathers was the dolt, but she did not want to stir him up again. Or have him return to their table. The other diners deserved peace.

“I hope we have a quiet interlude during dinner,” Gramma Rose put in. Her somber tone and fixed expression undergirded her assertion.

“Me, too, madam,” the professor said. “It’s appalling for workers to make such a stink.”

Doro rolled her eyes. The man clearly did not discern her grandmother’s displeasure with him. Luckily, the exchange was halted by Joshua bringing their meals. Doro, nervous about Mathers hollering again, held her breath, but Clyde brought the rest of his food at the same time. Despite complaining more, Mathers dug into his dinner as if he had not eaten for a week. The women went about consuming their cuisine in a more genteel manner.

Joshua returned to check on them periodically. He also stopped at Professor Mathers’s table. Since the older man continued to air complaints, Doro, Aggie, and Gramma Rose expressed their appreciation and gratitude. All of them relaxed when Mathers made his way out of the car.

He pushed Joshua, who had just come to check on the three ladies, off to the side as he went. “You need to let people by.”

The waiter nodded, but his expression was grim. When Mathers was out of sight, Joshua’s shoulders slumped, as if in relief.

“I’m so sorry the professor was so rude,” Doro said.

“Do you know him?” Joshua asked.

“We met at the train station in Colorado Springs. He’s acquainted with my father, who is also a professor, although not at the same college,” Doro replied. “He was quite rude to the chef. Is that typical?”

“They’ve had several run-ins over how food is cooked. The professor likes his steaks well done, which can make them tough. Chef Andre explained that to him many times, but to no avail.” Joshua shook his head. “The chef can be temperamental, which doesn’t help the situation.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t,” Aggie said.

“We’ve heard there’s another dining car up ahead,” Doro commented. “Why doesn’t Professor Mathers eat there?”

“It’s a dozen cars ahead of us. There’s more space, since the kitchen is in a separate carriage with a few tables. This car was added when the extra passenger carriages were,” Joshua said. “Chef Andre oversees everything, and the head cook wouldn’t kowtow to the professor’s demands, either, so that wouldn’t help the situation.”

Doro absorbed the information. The words between Andre and Mathers had been heated, but no worse than the contretemps with Bailey, Spieth, or Clyde. Knowing it was not the only time the pair had crossed swords weighed heavily on Doro. She had met the professor only a few hours earlier, and he had been at odds with four men during that time. “Please tell Chef Andre how much we enjoyed the meal,” Doro said, hoping compliments might mollify the man.

Aggie nodded. “It was delicious.”

“It most certainly was,” Grandmother added with a smile. “The chef is a magician.”

A slight smile touched the young waiter’s lips. “I’ll tell him, ma’am. He’ll appreciate that.” Before going about his other tasks, Joshua assisted Gramma Rose with her chair. Then, he bid the women a good evening and went on about his job.

“Since we’re finished with dinner, why don’t we go back to our drawing room and play cards?” Gramma Rose asked.

“I’d love to kick off my shoes and get comfortable,” Aggie said.

“That sounds good to me, too,” Doro agreed, but her mind whirled with the drama from dinner and from the train station.