West, he was met by the discouraging information
that Mrs. West had left that address quite a year ago. No, they could
not tell where she had gone, but they fancied it was to America.
"What am I to do now with you two little tots, and that 'ere dawg?"
said the cabby, coming up to the cab door. "There ain't no Mrs. West
yere. And that 'ere young party"--with a jerk of his thumb at the
slatternly little individual who stood watching and grinning on the
steps--"her says as Mrs. West have gone to 'Mericy. Ain't there no
one else as I can take you to, little uns?"
"No, thank you," answered Cecile. "We'll get out, please, Cabby.
This is a nice dry street. Me, and Maurice, and Toby can walk a good
bit. You couldn't tell us though, please, what's the nearest way from
here to France?"
"To France! Bless yer little heart, I knows no jography. But look
yere, little un. Ha'n't you no other friends as I could take you to?
I will, and charge no fare. There! I'll be generous for the sake of
that pretty little face."
But Cecile only shook her head.
"We don't know nobody, thank you, Cabby" she said, "except one girl,
and I never learned where her home was. We may meet her if we walk
about, and I want very badly, very badly, indeed, to see her again."
"Well, my dear, I'm feared as I must leave you, though I don't like
to."
"Oh, yes! and thank you for the drive." Here Cecile held out her
little hand to the big rough cabby, and Maurice instantly followed
her example; but Toby, who in his heart of hearts saw no reason for
this excessive friendliness, stood by without allowing his tail to
move a quarter of an inch.
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