We did. We went out, turned to the right, and plunged head-first towards the brooding darkness of Maida Vale.
"Are you sure," said my companion, "that you know the way?"
"No," I said, "I am not sure. Is one sure of anything in this life? But Paddington is a big place. We can't miss it. Think of its immense glass roof and take courage. We are bound to get there sooner or later."
"Yes," she said, "but we want to get there for the 5.50."
"True," I said. "We must limit our wanderings. I will ask this gentleman. He is standing at a corner. He has leisure and must know the way to Paddington."
I approached the gentleman and addressed him. "Sir," I said, "can you tell me the best way to get to Paddington?"
He looked at me suspiciously. "The station?" he said.
"Yes," I said, "Paddington station."
"Are you going to walk?"
I said we were.