“All right; I won’t let you in on the secret now, but when you do find out about it, you’ll wish you had been more civil,” Phil prophesied, darkly.
“Here is the car; come down, all of you,” commanded Mr. Payton; and, all else forgotten, they very willingly obeyed.
The machine was a big touring car, hired especially for the occasion, and the girls thrilled at the thought of seeing London in this fashion. In they tumbled joyfully, the big tonneau just accommodating five, while Mr. Payton took his place beside the driver. 120
“Where to, sir?” asked the latter.
“Oh, all around,” said Mr. Payton, with a wave of his hand. “You know the points of interest better than I do. Only, of course, the young folks must stop for a long look at Westminster Abbey on the way back.”
“All right, sir,” said the man, with an understanding grin, and added, “For the whole afternoon?”
“Yes,” said Mr. Payton.
With that the chauffeur threw in the clutch and the big machine whizzed away through the crowded traffic bearing a very happy cargo.
The girls never forgot that afternoon. Impressions crowded so thick and fast upon them they had all they could do to gather them in, and Lucile more than once exclaimed, “Oh, I must come here some day when I have lots of time and just stand and look and look and look!”
The last time she had made this remark was when they were proceeding slowly through the crowded traffic of London Bridge.