calling at the zoo

[user_gary]

The nearest zoo was at Lucknow, two hundred miles away. Reserving a first class compartment for himself and Timothy(tiger cub) - no one would share a compartment with them -- Grandmother took him to Lucknow where the zoo authorities wre only too glad to receive as a gift a well-fed and fairly civilized tiger. About six months later, when my grandparents were visiting relatives in Lucknow, Grandfather took the opportunity of calling at the zoo to see how Timothy was getting on. I was not there to accompany him, btu I heard all about it when he returned to Dehra.

I wonder, why (no one would share a compartment with them)?

I think it should be (no one had shared a compartment with them).

Please help me.

Also, please explain (took the .........calling at the zoo).

[Casiopea]

I wonder, why (no one would share a compartment with them)?

Timothy is an animal, a tiger.

I think it should be (no one had shared a compartment with them).

What's awkward about past tense would?

took the ... calling at the zoo.

He was in Lucknow, which is where the zoo is located, so he went to the zoo to visit Timothy the tiger cub.

Does that help?

[user_gary]

Does that help?

Yes. Thank you Casiopea.

I think, Grandfather purchased tickets for all the seats in a compartment.

e.g. Suppose there are 80 seats in one compartment. Grandfather purchased all the 80 seats for Timothy and himself so that no one would share the compartment with them.

Am I right?

But my problem is (Does Grandfather himself restricted other passangers by buying all the tickets) OR (Railway authorities told the grandfather to buy all the tickets for the compartment)

Please help me. I am awaiting your reply.

[Casiopea]

Uhm, a compartment can seat up to 6 people. Here's a picture, http://astro.temple.edu/~gblum/Fotos...ompartment.jpg