and a half spent on the Channel. But even its horrors are mitigated
by large steamers and kind and attentive attendants, and as for the
rest of the journey, it is nothing, not worth mentioning in these
days of rushing over the world.

Yes, the power of steam has brought the gay French capital thus
near. But if you had to trudge the whole weary way on foot, you would
still find that there were a vast number of miles between you and
Paris. That these miles were apt to stretch themselves interminably,
and that your feet were inclined to ache terribly; still more would
you feel the length of the way and the vast distance of the road, if
the journey had to be made in winter. Then the shortness of the days,
the length of the nights, the great cold, the bitter winds, would all
add to the horrors of this so-called simple journey.

This four little pilgrims, going bravely onward, experienced.

Toby, whose spirits rather sank from the moment Joe Barnes took the
management of affairs, had the further misfortune of running a thorn
into his foot; and though the very Joe whom he disliked was able to
extract it, still for a day or two the poor dog was lame. Maurice,
too, was still such a baby, and his little feet so quickly swelled
from all this constant walking, that Joe had to carry him a great
deal, and in this manner one lad felt the fatigue nearly as much as
the other. On the whole, perhaps it was the little Queen of the
party, the real Leader of the expedition, who suffered the least.
Never did knight of old go in search of the Holy Grail more devoutly
than did Cecile go now to deliver up her purse of gold, to keep her
sacred promise.