Dodsworth in London (2 page)

The pub became very quiet.

The crowd stared at Dodsworth and the duck.

It was time to leave.

"I can't believe you!" yelled Dodsworth.

"We just got here and you're already causing trouble!"

"I'm sorry," said the duck.

Dodsworth didn't believe him.

A large red double-decker bus drove by.

"That's the greatest bus I've ever seen," said the duck.

Dodsworth smiled.

"And the perfect way to see London," he said. "I can keep an eye on you."

They walked to the bus station.

The duck saw another duck in the crowd.

The other duck looked exactly like him, except for his fancy hat.

Many folks got off the bus.

Many folks got on the bus.

The area became very crowded.

"Let's wait for the next bus," said Dodsworth. The duck didn't hear him.

The duck got on the bus.

Dodsworth didn't see him.

The duck saw Dodsworth on the sidewalk.

"Uh-oh," he said.

The bus started pulling away.

"I'll meet you at Buckingham Palace!" shouted the duck.

Dodsworth didn't hear him.

The bus disappeared into the fog.

Dodsworth turned and saw the other duck, the one with the fancy hat.

He looked exactly like his duck.

Dodsworth thought it
was
his duck.

"Hey, where did you get that hat?" asked Dodsworth.

"It was a gift from the queen," said the wrong duck.

He spoke with a British accent.

Dodsworth laughed.

"Nice accent," he said. "Very convincing."

He
still
thought it was his duck.

Another bus pulled up.

The wrong duck walked up to the top of the bus.

Dodsworth followed him.

"This is the greatest," said Dodsworth.

The duck smiled politely.

"You're awfully quiet," said Dodsworth.

"Is everything okay?"

"Splendid," said the duck. "I don't believe we've met. I am the Royal Duck," he said. "The queen's duck." Dodsworth laughed.

"You're ridiculous," he said.

He
still
thought it was his duck.

The bus drove around London.

"Hey, look," said Dodsworth. "It's London Bridge."

"Actually, that's Tower Bridge," said the duck. "London Bridge is just up the river a bit."

Dodsworth looked at him.