Christina could hardly believe it. She had never in all her life been away from her home, and at first the terrors of the unknown seized hold of her.
"Isn't London a very full place, Puggy?" she asked timidly, as the two children sat down to their schoolroom tea. "I've heard Nurse say there was no room to walk in the streets, because there were such a lot of people!"
"Yes, it's crowded, that makes the fun," was the reply.
"And trains and omnibuses and carts are all rushing about everywhere!" continued Christina with a sinking heart.
"Yes, and policemen stand in the middle of the streets to help people cross, and the shops are ripping, and we're going to stay at a hotel!"
"What's that?"
"Fancy not knowing what a hotel is like! It's a place with huge rooms to live in and jolly good grub to eat, and any amount of people coming and going."
"I like little houses better than big ones," announced Christina. "I think I shall be afraid of so many people."
"Oh, you're afraid of everything—at least—" Puggy pulled himself up. "I promised the Squire I wouldn't say that to you; but you're an awfully queer girl, Tina. You're afraid of such a lot of silly things, and not afraid when you ought to be!"
"Go on and tell me more about London," said Christina hastily. "Shall we see Dawn, do you think?"