John laughed--laughed loudly.
"What are you going to do?" said he.
"Well--get off," said his friend.
"Sit down," said John--"there's no hurry."
"Have you got twopence, then?"
"No--not a farthing. But we're getting into Town, aren't we? We've got nothing to grumble at."
When the 'bus had travelled another hundred yards or so, John stood up.
"Now, you come downstairs," said he. The friend followed obediently. The conductor was inside punching tickets. John looked in.
"Does this 'bus go to Paddington Station?" he asked inquiringly.
"No--Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, and Strand."