On the morrow the Sandboys received formal notice to quit the establishment of Mrs. Fokesell on that day week.
What was to be done?
Where were they to go?
London was filling rapidly. In the extensive lodging district on the southern side of the Strand, scarcely a bill was to be seen bearing the significant inscription of
APARTMENTS
TO BE LET,
ELEGANTLY FURNISHED.
and even where cards of vacant lodgings were to be seen, so enormous were the present demands, that the economical mind of Mrs. Sandboys stood aghast at the contemplation of the weekly outlay.
The Chelsea and Camden Town colonies of clerks she had explored; but there nothing was to be had but bed-rooms for single gentlemen who were expected to breakfast only on the premises.
The great commercial retreats of Stoke Newington, Haggerstone, Clapham, and Camberwell, were likewise scoured in their turn, but with no better success. Attics were quoted at ten shillings; second floors were at a high premium; and very little parlours and drawing-rooms were letting at very large prices.