5:09
Hobbs dogged them at a safe distance while they sallied forth and in a neighboring street discovered an early-bird bakery . Here they were able to purchase rolls steaming from the oven , fresh pats of golden butter wrapped in clean lettuce leaves , and milk in twin bottles ; all of which they prosaically carried with them back to the station , lacking leisure as they did to partake of the food before train-time . Without attempting concealment -LRB- Hobbs , he knew , was eavesdropping round the corner of the door -RRB- Kirkwood purchased at the ticket-window passages on the Dunkerque train . Mr. Hobbs promptly flattered him by imitation ; and so jealous of his luck was Kirkwood by this time grown , through continual disappointment , that he did not even let the girl into his plans until they were aboard the 5:09 , in a compartment all to themselves . Then , having with his own eyes seen Mr. Hobbs dodge into the third compartment in the rear of the same carriage , Kirkwood astonished the girl by requesting her to follow him ; and together they left by the door opposite that by which they had entered . The engine was running up and down a scale of staccato snorts , in preparation for the race , and the cars were on the edge of moving , couplings clanking , wheels a-groan , ere Mr. Hobbs condescended to join them between the tracks . Wearily , disheartened , Kirkwood reopened the door , flung the bags in , and helped the girl back into their despised compartment ; the quicker route to England via Ostend was now out of the question .