"Like what?" asked the astonished Mr Hancock.
"Window-shopping. I see sometimes such a nice-looking man in the street or the park, then I marry him and he's ever so nice; but if I married him really I'm sure I'd hate him, or at least be tired of him in a day or two. Now, see here! I will buy you—let me see—let me see—that!" She pointed suddenly to an atrocious carbuncle scarf-pin. "That, and that watch with the long hand that goes hopping round. You can have the whole window," said Fanny, suddenly becoming lavishly generous. "But the scarf-pin would suit you, and the watch would be useful for—for—well, it looks like a business man's watch."
Mr Hancock sighed. "Say an old man's watch, Fanny—may I call you Fanny?"
"Of course, if you like. But you're not old, you're quite young; at least you're just as jolly as if you were. But come, or we will be late for the Zoo."
"Wait," said Mr Hancock; "there is lots of time for the Zoo. Now look at the window and buy yourself a present."
"I'll buy that," said Miss Lambert promptly, pointing to a little watch crusted with brilliants.
Mr Hancock noted the watch and the name and number of the shop, and they passed on.
Mr Hancock found that progress with such a companion in Oxford Street was a slow affair. The extraordinary fascination exercised by the shops upon his charge astonished him; everything seemed to interest her, even churns. The normal state of her brain seemed only comparable to that of a person's who is recovering from an illness.
It was after twelve when they reached Mudie's library.