'There is Cromer in Norfolk,--perhaps ten hours.'
'Is Cromer by the sea?'
'Yes;--what we call the sea.'
'I mean really the sea, Paul?'
'If you start from Cromer right away, a hundred miles would perhaps take you across to Holland. A ditch of that kind wouldn't do perhaps.'
'Ah,--now I see you are laughing at me. Is Cromer pretty?'
'Well, yes;--I think it is. I was there once, but I don't remember much. There's Ramsgate.'
'Mrs Pipkin told me of Ramsgate. I don't think I should like Ramsgate.'
'There's the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight is very pretty.'
'That's the Queen's place. There would not be room for her and me too.'
'Or Lowestoft. Lowestoft is not so far as Cromer, and there is a railway all the distance.'
'And sea?'
'Sea enough for anything. If you can't see across it, and if there are waves, and wind enough to knock you down, and shipwrecks every other day, I don't see why a hundred miles isn't as good as a thousand.'
'A hundred miles is just as good as a thousand. But, Paul, at Southend it isn't a hundred miles across to the other side of the river. You must admit that. But you will be a better guide than Mrs Pipkin. You would not have taken me to Southend when I expressed a wish for the ocean;--would you? Let it be Lowestoft. Is there an hotel?'
'A small little place.'
'Very small? uncomfortably small? But almost any place would do for me.'
'They make up, I believe, about a hundred beds; but in the States it would be very small.'
'Paul,' said she, delighted to have brought him back to this humour, 'if I were to throw the tea things at you, it would serve you right. This is all because I did not lose myself in awe at the sight of the Southend ocean. It shall be Lowestoft.' Then she rose up and came to him, and took his arm. 'You will take me down, will you not? It is desolate for a woman to go into such a place all alone. I will not ask you to stay. And I can return by myself.' She had put both hands on one arm, and turned herself round, and looked into his face. 'You will do that for old acquaintance sake?' For a moment or two he made no answer, and his face was troubled, and his brow was black. He was endeavouring to think;--but he was only aware of his danger, and could see no way through it. 'I don't think you will let me ask in vain for such a favour as that,' she said.