"Hurry, Diesel 10, sir! Here comes Lady Hatt with the Mayor of Sodor!" Paxton called, giving his superior enough time to dart into the shadows as the two humans in question entered the yard.
"Welcome, ma'am- and Mr. Mayor, sir." The teal diesel oiled politely.
"Hello, Paxton," Lady Hatt greeted in kind. "You're doing well today, I hope?"
"Oh, I'm fine ma'am- I'm just waiting for Diesel 10 to be finished- I don't think he wants to be disturbed." Paxton added, in a lower voice.
"Really," murmured the Mayor. "Is he alright?"
As if on cue, Norman oiled into the yards, approaching the group. "Pardon me, Lady Hatt, Mr. Mayor," He crooned. "But Diesel 10 asks that you please visit him tomorrow or the next day. He's inside in prayer, with the Vicar and Reverend. He doesn't want to be disturbed in his holy work by any worldly requests."
Lady Hatt and the Mayor exchanged mused looks. "Oh- excuse us, then," Lady Hatt spoke up. "A praying engine- when do you ever see anything like that, yes? We shouldn't interrupt, sir." She whispered to the Mayor, who agreed silently.
"No, no, it's alright, ma'am!" Paxton countered quickly. "Norm, tell Diesel 10 that the mayor, Lady Hatt, and the rest of the engines have come to confer with the good diesel in matters of great importance concerning the general good."
"Of course, Paxton," Norman affirmed, before seeing away to speak to their master.
"Are you sure, Paxton, that we shouldn't disturb him?" The Mayor inquired with concern. "He does seem rather busy-"
"Ah, Mr. Mayor, Diesel 10 is nothing like the other engines!" Paxton argued. "He is not lolling in the sheds but tucked away in prayer. He's not enjoying himself with an unnecessary wash down, but studying with two learned priests. He's not sleeping to be idle, but praying, to nourish his attentive soul. Sodor would be lucky to have this virtuous prince as the new Controller. But I'm afraid we'll never get him to agree to the duty." Paxton spoke poetically, eliciting some impressed looks from Lady Hatt and the Mayor.
"But God forbid, he'll say 'no' to us, surely?" The Mayor quipped.
"I'm afraid, he will, sir," The green diesel answered sullenly, as Norman rolled into view once again. "Ah, Norman, what did Diesel 10 say?"
"He wonders why you have assembled so many people to speak with him, since he had no idea they were coming. And, Paxton- he's afraid you mean him harm." The red diesel answered.
"Why I'd never do that!" Paxton exclaimed. "I'm doing this because I care about his position! Go and tell him so!" And with that, Norman departed to deliver the news. He looked to the Mayor and Lady Hatt, both watching with confused expressions.
"When devoutly religious engines are praying, it's hard to draw them out of it, because they get lost in the wonder of their contemplation." Paxton explained, uncharacteristically wise. This surprised the two humans, but they agreed silently not to question it.