Presently we were greeted by the Park-keeper, who was a friend of ours.
"Well, young hopefuls," he said, "and who have you been asking the time of to-day?"
We pointed to the old gentleman whose figure was still visible in the distance.
"Him!" cried the Park-keeper. "Well, bless your rascal impudence! Do you know who he is?"
"No."
"Why, he's Lord——."
The name mentioned was that of a distinguished member of the Cabinet which had recently gone out of office.
Did we quail and cower at the mention of that mighty name? Did we cover ourselves with confusion? Not we.
"I'm awfully glad we asked him," said Billy as we walked away.
"So am I—I say, Billy, I wish we could meet the Pope. He's jolly old, and I'll bet he's jolly miserable, too."