"What's the matter, Chris?" asked Walter. "I thought you liked that."
"So I did; 'twas the only bit of fun I've had. It's a regular nuisance to be at some one else's beck and call like this, just when one is getting a little pleasure. Why should we come before we want to?"
"Why? Because it's dinner-time. Aren't you hungry? I am, I know."
Christopher grunted sulkily, but in spite of his ill-humour he managed to get through the meat-patties and plum-pudding with a most excellent appetite.
Dinner over, the rector proposed that every one should come with him to see a panorama of the siege of Paris, which was to begin at three o'clock.
"I should like it awfully. Wouldn't you, Chris?" said Walter.
"I don't know. No—it sounds dull and schoolish," replied Chris, who was no scholar. "I won't be led about like a monkey on a chain, either. I know best how to amuse myself, and I tell you what—I'm going back for another ride on that tricycle. You'd better come too, Wat. The panorama doesn't really begin till half-past three. I saw it up on the board outside."
"But I've only got three half-pence left," said Walter, "so I can't ride any more."
"Oh, I'll lend you the money. I've got heaps."
"But could you find your way back, Chris? This is such a thundering big place," urged Walter doubtfully.