Oh, but she is lovely, is Aunt Celia! London a cathedral town!
Now, for my part, I should like to drop St. Paul’s for once, and omit Westminster Abbey for the moment, and sit on the top of a bus with Miss Schuyler or in a hansom jogging up and down Piccadilly. The hansom should have bouquets of paper-flowers in the windows, and the horse should wear carnations in his headstall, and Miss Schuyler should ask me questions, to which I should always know the right answers. This would be but a prelude, for I should wish later to ask her questions to which I should hope she would also know the right answers.
[p50]
Heigho! I didn’t suppose that anything could be lovelier than that girl’s smile, but there is, and it is her voice.
I shall call there again to-morrow morning. I don’t know on what pretext, but I shall call, for my visit was curtailed this evening by the entrance of the waiter, who asked what they would have for breakfast. Miss Van Tyck said she would be disengaged in a moment, so naturally I departed, with a longing to knock the impudent waiter’s head against the uncomprehending wall. Breakfast indeed! A fellow can breakfast regularly, and yet be in a starving condition.
He
Oxford, June 14,
The Angel.
I have just called. They have gone! Gone hours before they intended! How shall I find her in London?
[p51]
He
London, June 15,
Walsingham House Hotel.
As a cathedral town London leaves much to be desired. There are too many hotels, too many people, and the distances are too great. For ten hours I kept a hansom galloping between St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey, with no result. I am now going to Ely, where I shall stay in the cathedral from morning till night, and have my meals brought to me on a tray by the verger.