The two children were looking at him; and he turned to them and bowed again. "Mistress Isabel and Master Anthony, sir, is it not?" "I remember you," said Isabel a little shyly, "at least, I think so." Lackington bowed again as if gratified; and turned to their father. "If you are leaving, Mr. Norris, would you allow me to walk with you a few steps? I have much I would like to ask you of my old master and mistress." The four passed out together; the two children in front; and as they went Lackington asked most eagerly after the household at the Hall, and especially after Mr. James, for whom he seemed to have a special affection. "It is rumoured," said Mr. Norris, "that he is going abroad." "Indeed, sir," said the servant, with a look of great interest, "I had heard it too, sir; but did not know whether to believe it." Lackington also gave many messages of affection to others of the household, to Piers the bailiff, and a couple of the foresters: and finished by entreating Mr. Norris to use him as he would, telling him how anxious he was to be of service to his friends, and asking to be entrusted with any little errands or commissions in London that the country gentleman might wish performed. "I shall count it, sir, a privilege," said the servant, "and you shall find me prompt and discreet." One curious incident took place just as Lackington was taking his leave at the turning down into Wharf Street; a man hurrying eastwards almost ran against them, and seemed on the point of apologising, but his face changed suddenly, and he spat furiously on the ground, mumbling something, and hurried on. Lackington seemed to see nothing. "Why did he do that?" interrupted Mr. Norris, astonished. "I ask your pardon, sir?" said Lackington interrogatively. "That fellow! did you not see him spit at me?" "I did not observe it, sir," said the servant; and presently took his leave. "Why did that man spit at you, father?" asked Isabel, when they had come indoors. "I cannot think, my dear; I have never seen him in my life." "I think Lackington knew," said Anthony, with a shrewd air. "Lackington! Why, Lackington did not even see him." "That was just it," said Anthony. Anthony's talk about Cambridge during these first evenings in London was fascinating to Isabel, if not to their father, too. It concerned of course himself and his immediate friends, and dealt with such subjects as cock-fighting a good deal; but he spoke also of the public disputations and the theological champions who crowed and pecked, not unlike cocks themselves, while the theatre rang with applause and hooting. The sport was one of the most popular at the universities at this time. But above all his tales of the Queen's visit a few years before attracted the girl, for was she not to see the Queen with her own eyes?