I determined to stroll home in the purer air by the most roundabout way I could take; to follow the white winding paths across the lonely heath; and to approach London through its most open suburb by striking into the Finchley Road, and so getting back, in the cool of the new morning, by the western side of the Regent's Park.
John's Wood and the Regent's Park. You must excuse my not answering you before.
On the opposite and lighter side of the way, a short distance below me, a policeman was strolling along in the direction of the Regent's Park.
First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to go to the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party who wished to be taken to the
Regent's Park; and next we were wanted in a side street where a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken to the bank; there we had to stop to take her back again, and just as we had set her down a red-faced gentleman, with a handful of papers, came running up out of breath, and before Jerry could get down he had opened the door, popped himself in, and called out, "Bow Street Police Station, quick!" so off we went with him, and when after another turn or two we came back, there was no other cab on the stand.
I walked across
Regent's Park, and I dawdled on Primrose Hill, without the least result.
There were one or two cartloads of refugees passing along Oxford Street, and several in the Marylebone Road, but so slowly was the news spreading that Regent Street and Port- land Place were full of their usual Sunday-night promenaders, albeit they talked in groups, and along the edge of
Regent's Park there were as many silent couples "walking out" together under the scattered gas lamps as ever there had been.
She assented, having very little notion whether Highgate was next door to
Regent's Park or not.
Paul's to the Crystal Palace and back by the river and
Regent's Park, and by the time he reached his mother's window he had quite made up his mind that his second wish should be to become a bird.
My own earliest boating recollection is of five of us contributing threepence each and taking out a curiously constructed craft on the
Regent's Park lake, drying ourselves subsequently, in the park-keeper's lodge.
The nearest place in which I could find what I wanted was the
Regent's Park. I went into one of the quiet walks in the middle of the park, where the horses and carriages are not allowed to go, and where old people can sun themselves, and children play, without danger.
It was a fine, clear, January day, wet under foot where the frost had melted, but cloudless overhead; and the
Regent's Park was full of winter chirrupings and sweet with spring odours.
For me, part of the fun of being in London (natives will no doubt beg to differ) is going sightseeing using the Tube, and we were just a two-minute walk from Great Portland, with
Regent's Park and Warren Street a few minutes further away.