I repeat that I make no attempt to imitate the dialect. Perceiving himself addressed, Mr. Eva put his hand up to his ear. "Beg pardon--what were that you said?" "I say that I be perishing for something to drink. I be faint for want of it. What's a day's pleasure if you don't never have a chance to moisten your lips?" Although this was said in a tone of voice which caused the foot-passengers to stand and stare, the driver to start round in his seat, as if he had been struck, and the conductor to come up to inquire if anything were wrong, it failed to penetrate Mr. Eva's tympanum. "What be that?" the old gentleman observed. "It do seem as if I were more deaf than usual." I touched Mr. Holman on the shoulder. "All right--leave him alone. I'll see that you have what you want when we get down; only don't try to make him understand while we're on this 'bus." "Thank you kindly, sir. There's no denying that a taste of rum would do me good. John Eva, he be terrible hard of hearing--terrible; and the old girl she ain't a notion of what's fit for a man." How much the insides saw of London I cannot say. I doubt if any one on the roof saw much. In my anxiety to alight on one with room I had not troubled about the destination of the 'bus. As, however, it proved to be bound for London Bridge, I had an opportunity to point out St. Paul's Cathedral, the Bank of England, and similar places. I cannot say that my hearers seemed much struck by the privileges they were enjoying. When the vehicle drew up in the station-yard, Mr. Holman pointed with his thumb-- "There be a public over there." I admitted that there was. "Here's a shilling for you--mind you're quickly back. Perhaps Mr. Poltifen would like to come with you." Mr. Poltifen declined. "I am a teetotaller. I have never touched alcohol in any form." I felt that Mr. Poltifen regarded both myself and my proceedings with austere displeasure. When all had alighted, my aunt, proceeding to number the party, discovered that one was missing; also, who it was. "Where is Matthew Holman?" "He's--he's gone across the road to--to see the time." "To see the time! There's a clock up over the station there. What do you mean?" "The fact is, my dear aunt, that feeling thirsty he has gone to get something to drink." "To drink! But he signed the pledge on Monday!" "Then, in that case, he's broken it on Wednesday. Come, let's get inside the station; we can't stop here; people will wonder who we are." "Thomas, we will wait here for Matthew Holman. I am responsible for that man." "Certainly, my dear aunt; but if we remain on the precise spot on which we are at present planted, we shall be prosecuted for obstruction. If you will go into the station, I will bring him to you there." "Where are you going to take us now?" "To the Crystal Palace." "But--we have seen nothing of London."