“All right, girlie; you’ve only four days left in London, so spend them as you like.”
So Patty wandered about as she chose; spending an afternoon in Westminster Abbey, and a morning in the British Museum, and often enjoying a drive in the parks. There were few people whom they knew in London, as most of them were still in their country-places, but the weather was cool and pleasant, and Patty declared she was glad not to be bothered with social engagements.
At last the day came when they must leave for Paris. Trunks were strapped and despatched. Boxes containing various purchases they had made were shipped directly home to New York, and with real tears in her eyes, Patty stood looking out of the hotel window down on the noisy, bustling Strand.
“Cheer up,” said Nan, observing her, “we’ll come back here some day, if not this year.”
“I never thought of that!” exclaimed Patty, as the smiles broke over her face; “why, of course we shall! What a comfort you are, Nan. Why, I shouldn’t wonder if we came over every summer, mayn’t we?”
“Every other summer, perhaps,” said Nan, a little absently, for she was attending to some last matters.
“Come, Patty,” said her father, “the cab’s here. Wave a weeping farewell to your London joys, and turn a smiling face to fresh fields and pastures new.”
“All ready, Father,” said Patty, cheerily, and in a few moments they were off.
At Victoria station they took the train for Dover, and Patty looked from the window as long as it was possible to get glimpses of the great city they were leaving.
To many people the crossing of the English Channel is not a pleasing experience. Nan frankly confessed that she did not care for it at all; but Patty and her father, being blessed with entire freedom from any physical discomfort in the matter, went aboard the Channel steamer with anticipations of a pleasant trip across. The ideal time to sail away from the Dover cliffs is mid-afternoon, when the sunlight dazzles on the white chalk formations, and the green grass and blue water and the pink tints on the rocks all form a beautiful panorama of the brightest colouring possible.