"But, John, you'll take me, and go to see the King and Queen?" she
inquired.
"Why, you silly woman, do you think I should leave you behind, when I
know you're nearly crazed to go?"
"O John, John, you dear, good man! I've mended all my dresses, and made
myself trim and neat. I've seen to your coats; and all's done; and I
feel as if I could scarcely live till I see the Queen."
"You'd best keep alive," said her husband; "and if all goes well we'll
start by the coach on Monday."
Monday was as lovely a day as heart could wish; and John and his wife
walked down the Bristol streets to the public-house from which the coach
was to start.
It was a great event in Mrs. Duddlestone's life, for she had never been
beyond her own town, except for a drive into the country in a neighbor's
cart.
They were quiet people; but it had got about the town, that they were
going to London to visit the Queen, and numbers came out to see them go.
Perhaps some of the great merchants wished they had been simple and
humble enough to offer to entertain Prince George when he had visited
their town.
They journeyed straight to London, where John bought his whalebone, and
then found their way to St.
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