ere better for
such a long walk. Some of the pilgrims who were very earnest decided to
tie their boots with white tape crossed outside to pretend sandals.
Denny was one of these earnest palmers. As for dresses, there was no
time to make them properly, and at first we thought of nightgowns; but
we decided not to, in case people in Canterbury were not used to that
sort of pilgrim nowadays. We made up our minds to go as we were--or as
we might happen to be next day.

You will be ready to believe we hoped next day would be fine. It was.

Fair was the morn when the pilgrims arose and went down to breakfast.
Albert's uncle had had brekker early and was hard at work in his study.
We heard his quill-pen squeaking when we listened at the door. It is not
wrong to listen at doors when there is only one person inside, because
nobody would tell itself secrets aloud when it was alone.

We got lunch from the housekeeper, Mrs. Pettigrew. She seems almost to
_like_ us all to go out and take our lunch with us. Though I should
think it must be very dull for her all alone. I remember, though, that
Eliza, our late general at Lewisham, was just the same. We took the dear
dogs, of course. Since the Tower of Mystery happened we are not allowed
to go anywhere without the escort of these faithful friends of man. We
did not take Martha, because bull-dogs do not like long walks. Remember
this if you ever have one of those valuable animals.

When we were all ready, with our big hats and cockle-shells, and our
staves and our tape sandals, the pilgrims looked very nice.

"Only we haven't any scrips," Dora said.

"What is a scrip?"

"I think it's something to read. A roll of parchment or something."

So we had old newspapers rolled up, and carried them in our hands. We
took the _Globe_ and the _Westminster Gazette_ because they are pink and
green. The Dentist wore his white sand-shoes, sandalled with black tape,
and bare legs. They really looked almost as good as bare feet.

"We _ought_ to have pease in our shoes," he said. But we did not think
so. We knew what a very little stone in your boot will do, let alone
pease.

Of course we knew the way to go to Canterbury, because the old Pilgrims'
Road runs just above our house. It is a very pretty road, narrow, and
often shady. It is nice for walking, but carts do not like it because it
is rough and rutty; so there is grass growing in patches on it.

I have said that it was a fine day, which me