He took the penny quite seriously. I was glad of that, and liked him the better for it. Had he refused it I should have been really offended.
"And what will you do with the letter now?" he said. "Shall you not have still to go to the post-office to put it in?"
"Oh no," I said, "there is a pillar-post quite near our house."
"And you are sure you know your way?" he said as he opened the shop-door for us. "What is the name of the street where you live?"
I hesitated. Curiously enough I had never heard the name of the street where Uncle Geoff lived—I looked at Tom and Tom looked at me. He did not know it either.
"I don't know the name of the street," I said, "but I am sure we can find the way. Can't we, Tom?"
"Oh yes, I am sure we can. We live at our uncle's, Dr. Gower's," added Tom, for which I frowned at him.
"At Dr. Gower's," repeated the chemist with surprise. "Dear me— I don't think your uncle would be pleased if he knew you were out alone. However, as you say, it is very near—and I shouldn't like to get them scolded, poor little things," he added to himself. "I can tell you the name of the street—it is —— Street—remember that, and now run home as fast as you can. First turn to the right."
We thanked him again and ran off.