"We can't see through that, man; it isn't transparent, like a glass window. Get out the rosette and put it on."
Christopher plunged his hands into his two jacket-pockets and fumbled. Mr. White thought he was going to do as he was told, and took no further notice.
"Chris, you haven't put it on, now," whispered Walter, as the horses drew up at the station. "Ain't you going to?"
"Be quiet, will you? You ain't master," said Christopher roughly; and Walter was silent.
He noticed, though, that his friend kept well out of sight behind the others, and also that in the train he took a seat on the same side as Mr. White, and as far off as possible. Miss Richardson was with the little girls in another carriage.
When the party reached the Crystal Palace station, they proceeded up the steps to the gardens.
"Now," said Mr. Richardson, when they got to the final flight leading into the great glass building—"now, I think we may as well separate for a bit. I will stay inside and take any who wish to see the poultry and rabbit show. The girls will like, I daresay, to go with Miss Richardson, and those who don't care for the animals can follow Mr. White to the garden; only be sure you all come to the terrace by one o'clock for dinner."
So saying, he turned towards the corridor where an immense cackling and cooing announced the presence of the poultry and pigeons, followed by four of the lads and some of the men and boys.
"What shall you do, Chris?" whispered Walter.
"I shall see what schoolmaster's up to; and if I don't like what he does, I shall make off and get some jolly good fun by myself," was the answer. "You stick to me, Walter. I s'pose you don't want to be the only big chap among all them little 'uns?"