A groan that was half a growl broke from the sorely tried sovereign.
"Of course you don't. Well—I told you him and I come from America together. I know where he keeps all his phonograph things, and I know how to get there. But you must be quick or else he'll get there fust and take 'em away."
"You speak truly, Lady Rebecca," said the Queen. "How would you go—by what conveyance? Will you have horses—men-at-arms?"
"No, indeed!" was the reply. "Jest let me hev a swift boat, with plenty o' men to row it, so's to go real fast. Then I'll want a carryall or a buggy in Southwark——"
"A carryall—a buggy!" Elizabeth broke in. "What may these be?"
"Oh, any kind of a carriage, you know, 'cause I'll hev to ride some distance into the country."
"But why such haste?" asked the Queen. "Had this American a horse?"
"He had a bicycle an' that's wuss," said Rebecca. "But ef I can start right away and take a short cut by the river while he finds his way through all them dirty, dark streets, I'll get there fust an' get the rest of his phonographs."
"Your wit is nimble and methinks most sound," said the Queen, decisively. Then, turning to the group of ladies, she continued:
"Send us our chamberlain, my Lady Temple, and delay not, we charge you!"