He found he should only be laughed at and walked on, renewing his question when he saw a good-natured-looking woman in a black bonnet and stout canvas apron, apparently going out for a day’s washing.
“Is it the Royal or the King George Tavern as you mean, my son?” she asked him.
“Oh! the Royal—the one where the gentlemen goes,” said Johnnie. “I’ve got a message for one of ’em.”
“Bless you, my lad, they won’t never let you in at this time of morning,” said the woman.
“It’s very particular,” returned John. “I came off at night to tell him.”
She looked at him curiously. “And what might it be, young man! Some one taken very bad, no doubt.”
“No—not that,” said John, and she looked so kind, he could not help telling. “But he have got a machine, and Jack Swing is coming, and if he don’t come home to see to the poor ladies—”
“Bless me, and who may it be?”
“Captain Carbonel—out at Uphill.”
“Never heard tell of the place.”