The travelers reached the Broad street station in Philadelphia about three o’clock, and Bunny and Sue looked about them in wonder at the big train shed into which the engine pulled them. It was noisy, smoky, and dirty, and they were glad to get out of it into the open air. Across the street from the station was a great building.
“That is the Philadelphia city hall,” explained Mr. Brown. “On top, though you can’t see it from here, is a big statue of William Penn who years ago helped settle Pennsylvania, which is the state we are now in.”
“That’s a funny city hall,” exclaimed Bunny. “Look, there’s a street going right under it, and automobiles, too!”
“That’s queer—a street under a building!” said Sue.
“The city hall is so large that it is built right over the sidewalk,” explained Mr. Brown, “and, as you say, Bunny, a street, or an alley, runs beneath it. Now come around this way.”
“Oh, look at the pigeons!” cried Bunny as he ran on ahead around one corner of the building. Here was a plaza and here and there were statues of famous men on pedestals. Flying in the air overhead or flocking down on the sidewalk to pick up grains and nuts scattered by bird-lovers were scores of pigeons. They were so tame that one of them flew down on a man’s arm and picked grains of wheat from his open hand.
“Oh, aren’t they cute!” cried Sue.
“I wish I could feed them,” said Bunny.
“Here you are, children. Give them some of my grains,” offered the man of whom the birds did not seem in the least afraid. He poured into the outstretched palms of Bunny and Sue some wheat from a bag he carried. Then, as the children held out their hands, the pigeons circled around them and one finally perched on Bunny’s wrist and began picking up the grains.
“Oh, I wish I had one!” cried Sue.