They found Coventry a delightful old town. Here it was that so many of the Miracle Plays used to be given in olden times. The "Coventry Plays" were famous, and Mrs. Pitt took the party to the court-yard of Saint Mary's Hall, where they were wont to be performed; for such entertainments always took place in the open air,--in squares or courts, the stage being rudely constructed upon a wagon, which could be taken from place to place. At the corner of two streets is an absurd figure of "Peeping Tom," which recalls the fabled ride of the Lady Godiva, and her sacrifice to procure the freedom of the people of Coventry from unjust taxes. Coventry streets are very narrow and crooked (Hawthorne once said that they reminded him of Boston's winding ways), and there are many picturesque houses, their upper stories jutting out over the street. One most charming example of sixteenth century architecture is Ford's Hospital, a home for forty aged women. The street front is unique in its construction of timbers, gables, and carvings. Inside is an oblong, paved court, overhung by the second story of the building. "It's like Leicester's Hospital at Warwick, only this is really more quaint, isn't it? The old ladies peeping out from their little rooms are dear! I'm going to make friends with them," Betty declared, as she disappeared under one of the low doorways. She was soon seen accompanying an old dame on crutches, who was hobbling out to show off her bit of a garden, back of the house. On the return trip to Leamington, they were rather quiet. Having seen so many famous places, it was natural that they should wish to think them over. The driver approached Leamington by another road than that by which they had left it, and it took them past Stoneleigh Abbey, the country seat of Lord Leigh. It is situated in the midst of woodland, which has been called "the only real bit of old Arden Forest now to be found in Warwickshire." "They say that the Abbey is remarkably beautiful," said Mrs. Pitt, "but I've never been fortunate enough to see it at any nearer range. The house is not very old, having been erected in the eighteenth century, but it stands on the site of a Cistercian Abbey, of which one gateway still remains." It was late when they reached the hotel at Leamington, and they were forced to hurry in order to be dressed in time for dinner. The gong found them all assembled, however, for such a day of sight-seeing makes one hungry. They all had a good laugh at Betty, for when she was caught in a "brown study," and Mrs. Pitt asked to hear her thoughts, she replied: "Oh, I was thinking over what a lovely day it has been,--especially at Kenilworth!" and then added with a sigh, "If I only could know who that guide was, everything would be perfect!" CHAPTER FOURTEEN SHERWOOD FOREST AND HADDON HALL