"Bless me!" exclaimed the Missionary, looking greatly concerned. "You don't say so! What an extraordinary thing to happen. I had no idea that there were any petrifying waters hereabouts." "Well, they're turned to stone, anyhow," said the Dodo, "down by the lake there. It's rather awkward for us, you see, because we can't stop here forever by ourselves, and we haven't any money to get home with." "My dear Sir," said the Missionary, generously taking out his purse, "can I be of any assistance to you?" "It's very kind of you," said the Dodo. "Not at all," cried the Missionary, heartily, pressing some money into the Dodo's glove, which, of course, immediately fell off and disconcerted the Missionary very much, while the Dodo scrambled about and picked up the scattered coins. The children thought it very kind of the Missionary to lend them the money, and Dick and Marjorie went up to him and thanked him very politely; and then, having done this, the whole party hurried off to the train. CHAPTER XXIV. FIRST CLASS TO LONDON. The railway station at the Crystal Palace was soon reached, and the Dodo went boldly up to the booking-office and demanded some tickets for London. The Ticket-clerk, who could only see the top of the Dodo's head, very naturally mistook him for an old gentleman without his hat, and inquired, politely, "What class, Sir?" This was a puzzler, and the Dodo went back to Dick and told him that the gentleman in the office wanted to know what class they were in. "What does he mean?" asked Dick. "What class you're in at school, I suppose," said the Dodo, doubtfully. "Why, I'm in the fourth form," said Dick; "but I don't see what he wants to know _that_ for, unless--Oh yes, of course, I see--he wants to find out how old we are, because up to twelve years of age you can travel half-price, you know. Let's see--we only want halves, Marjorie and Fidge and myself; you'll have to get a whole ticket, I suppose, though I have seen a notice at a railway station somewhere, on which it stated, 'Soldiers and Dogs half-price.' Perhaps it applies to birds, too. You had better ask, I think." So the Dodo went back to the booking-office again and inquired, "Do birds travel half-price?" "Birds!" exclaimed the Booking-clerk. "Nonsense! There is no charge for birds, unless you have a quantity," he added, as an afterthought. "How many have you?" "Oh, there's only one," said the Dodo. "Take it in the carriage with you, no charge," said the Clerk. "Thanks! It's awfully kind of you," said the Dodo. "I'll take three half-tickets for London, then, please." "First class?" inquired the Clerk. "No! Fourth form, please," said the Dodo. "You mean fourth _class_, I suppose," said the Clerk, laughing; "but there _is_ no fourth class, you know. First, second, or third." "Oh! then I'll have third; I suppose that's the best?" cried the Dodo. [Illustration: "You can't take that into the carriage with you."]