He owned to having seen the Triscoes since they had left Cuxhaven; Mrs.March would not suffer herself to ask him whether they were in the same carriage with the Eltwins.

He had got a letter from Mr.Stoller at Cuxhaven, and he begged the Marches to let him engage rooms for them at the hotel where he was going to stay with him.
After they reached Hamburg they had flying glimpses of him and of others in the odious rivalry to get their baggage examined first which seized upon all, and in which they no longer knew one another, but selfishly struggled for the good-will of porters and inspectors.

There was really no such haste; but none could govern themselves against the general frenzy.

With the porter he secured March conspired and perspired to win the attention of a cold but not unkindly inspector.

The officer opened one trunk, and after a glance at it marked all as passed, and then there ensued a heroic strife with the porter as to the pieces which were to go to the Berlin station for their journey next day, and the pieces which were to go to the hotel overnight.