The others, worn out from sight-seeing, preferred to stay at home and rest. Miss Campbell had a blister on her heel which made her groan aloud every time she took a step. Mary, who was not as strong as her friends, was quite willing to remain at home and write a letter to her mother. Elinor, also, had reasons of her own for remaining indoors. She had purchased two books on genealogy and an Almanach de Gotha in which she wished to study Irish families of the nobility; and later she was to drink tea with Maria Cortinas and hear some music.
Therefore, those two redoubtable adventurers, Billie and Nancy, went forth alone on the streets of London. Each carried a bundle and each wore an expression of mysterious importance.
“London Bridge!” exclaimed Billie exultantly, as they strolled down the old street, for there was plenty of time before their errand, whatever it was.
“What a lark!” cried Nancy. “Oh, Billie, I adore London.”
“I love it, too,” said Billie. “It’s so old and gray and smoky and full of history——”
“And quaint little shops——”
“And buses and hansoms and carriages of state,” laughed Billie.
“And lords and ladies,” continued Nancy as a carriage load of very fine-looking people dashed past.
Presently they turned into a narrow little street, which Billie, excellent guide always, knew led toward the river and was a short cut to London Bridge.
“Perhaps we should have taken a hansom,” she said.