“If we had some money we could take her about in a cab. People wouldn’t notice her so much then. But we haven’t.”
“Sell this,” said the Queen, taking a ring from her finger.
“They’d only think we’d stolen it,” said Cyril bitterly, “and put us in prison.”
“All roads lead to prison with you, it seems,” said the Queen.
“The learned gentleman!” said Anthea, and ran up to him with the ring in her hand.
“Look here,” she said, “will you buy this for a pound?”
“Oh!” he said in tones of joy and amazement, and took the ring into his hand.
“It’s my very own,” said Anthea; “it was given to me to sell.”
“I’ll lend you a pound,” said the learned gentleman, “with pleasure; and I’ll take care of the ring for you. Who did you say gave it to you?”
“We call her,” said Anthea carefully, “the Queen of Babylon.”