"Now, you needn't laugh at me."
"Was I laughing?"
"Yes, you know you were, down in your thoughts."
Leveson laughed now, at all events.
"But I don't know what promise you meant a minute ago," said Josie.
"Did I not once say I would take a certain little girl for a trip down the river?"
"Oh, you don't mean that!"
"You shall go to-day if you like. Perhaps it would be chilly on the water, but you shall take your choice. Down the river, or else over the Tower, or else off to Hampton Court."
Josie gave a little shriek at the third proposal, which showed what she thought of it.
"What, you would prefer the last?"