-including the room where the
famous ball in "Pickwick Papers" was held.

Leaving the Bull, they noted the Crown Inn, on the site of the one
where Henry VIII went privately to take a look at Anne of Cleves, and
the old White Hart, built in Richard II's reign, which once sheltered
Samuel Pepys. In Restoration House (built in 1587) Charles II stayed
after his landing at Dover.

"'Dickens wrote thus about Restoration House in "Great
Expectations,"'" Betty read from the guidebook. "'I had stopped to
look at the house as I passed, and its seared red brick walls, blocked
windows and strong green ivy clasping even the stacks of chimneys with
its twigs and tendrils, as if with sinewy arms, made up a rich and
attractive mystery.'"

"Doesn't that describe it exactly?" exclaimed Mrs. Pitt, with
enthusiasm. "That house always fascinated me, too. When Dickens last
visited Rochester, it is said that he was seen gazing long at this old
place, and some have thought that the result of those reflections
would have appeared in the next chapter of 'Edwin Drood,' which novel,
as you know, he never finished. Now, we'll drive out to take a look
at Gad's Hill. Luckily, this is Wednesday, so we will be admitted."

After making inquiries, Mrs. Pitt learned that the owner of Gad's Hill
throws it open only on the afternoon of each Wednesday; so they took
their luncheon first, and then motored the mile and a half to
Dickens's home.

Gad's Hill is charming! Dickens was devoted to this square,
vine-covered house, where he resided from 1856 to the time of his
death, in 1870. The story goes that when he was a small boy the place
had a great attraction for him, and that one day his father, wishing
to spur him on in a way peculiar to parents, reminded him that if he
worked hard and persevered until he was a grown man, he might own that
very estate, or one like it.

As they left the house, Mrs. Pitt said, "This hill is the spot where
took place the robbery of the travelers in Shakespeare's 'Henry IV.'
The inn just opposite Gad's Hill is the Falstaff Inn, probably built
about Queen Anne's time. It used to have an old sign with pictures of
Falstaff and the 'Merry Wives of Windsor' upon it. I read that in the
olden days ninety coaches daily stopped here. Fancy!"

"Well," observed Betty, "I shall certainly enjoy reading Dickens
better than ever, when I get home, for now I've seen his study where
he wrote. It makes things so much more real somehow, do