6:30 p.m.
Will Garvie reversed the action of the engines by a process which , though beautifully simple and easily done , can not be easily described . John let on a puff of steam , and the engine glided backwards as readily as it had run forward . A few seconds afterwards it moved slowly under the magnificent arch of Clatterby station , and its buffers met those of the train it was destined to draw as if with a gentle touch of friendly greeting . At the station all was bustle and noise ; but here we must venture to do what no human being could accomplish in reality , compel the 6:30 p.m. train to wait there until it shall be our pleasure to give it the signal to start ! Meanwhile we shall put back the clock an hour or so , ask the reader to return to Mrs Tipps ' residence and observe what transpired there while John Marrot was in the shed getting his iron steed ready for action . Mrs Captain Tipps was , as we have said , a thin old lady of an excessively timid temperament . She was also , as we have shown , impulsively kind in disposition .