The inspector wrote something in his book. “Can I see your ticket?”
“Er… I had it,” said Paddington. “But I don’t seem to any more.”
The inspector began writing again. “Playing on the escalator. Travelling without a ticket. Stopping the escalator. All serious offences they are.” He looked up. “What have you got to say to that, young feller me lad?”
“Well… er…” Paddington shifted uneasily and looked down at his paws.
“Have you tried looking inside your hat?” asked the inspector, not unkindly. “People often put their tickets in there.”
Paddington jumped with relief. “I knew I had it somewhere,” he said, thankfully, as he handed it to the inspector.
The inspector handed it back again quickly. The inside of Paddington’s hat was rather sticky.
“I’ve never known anyone take so long not to get anywhere,” he said, looking hard at Paddington. “Do you often travel on the Underground?”
“It’s the first time,” said Paddington.
“And the last if I have anything to do with it,” said Mrs Brown as she pushed her way through the crowd.
“Is this your bear, Madam?” asked the inspector. “Because if it is, I have to inform you that he’s in serious trouble.” He began to read from his notebook. “As far as I can see he’s broken two important regulations – probably more. I shall have to give him into custody.”
“Oh dear.” Mrs Brown clutched at Judy for support. “Do you have to? He’s only small and it’s his first time out in London. I’m sure he won’t do it again.”
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” said the inspector, ominously. “Not in court! Persons are expected to abide by the regulations. It says so.”
“In court!” Mrs Brown passed a hand nervously over her forehead. The word court always upset her. She had visions of Paddington being taken away in handcuffs and being cross-examined and all sorts of awful things.
Judy took hold of Paddington’s paw and squeezed it reassuringly. Paddington looked up gratefully. He wasn’t at all sure what they were talking about, but none of it sounded very nice.
“Did you say persons are expected to abide by the regulations?” Judy asked, firmly.
“That’s right,” began the inspector. “And I have my duty to do the same as everyone else.”
“But it doesn’t say anything about bears?” asked Judy, innocently.
“Well.” The inspector scratched his head. “Not in so many words.” He looked down at Judy, then at Paddington, and then all around. The escalator had started up again and the crowd of sightseers had disappeared.
“It’s all highly irregular,” he said. “But…”
“Oh, thank you,” said Judy. “I think you’re the kindest man I’ve ever met! Don’t you think so, Paddington?” Paddington nodded his head vigorously and the inspector blushed.
“I shall always travel on this Underground in future,” said Paddington, politely. “I’m sure it’s the nicest in all London.”
The inspector opened his mouth and seemed about to say something, but he closed it again.
“Come along, children,” said Mrs Brown, hastily. “If we don’t hurry up we shall never get our shopping done.”
From somewhere up above came the sound of dogs barking. The inspector sighed. “I can’t understand it,” he said. “This used to be such a well-run, respectable station. Now look at it!”
He stared after the retreating figures of Mrs Brown and Judy with Paddington bringing up the rear and then he rubbed his eyes. “That’s funny,” he said, more to himself. “I must be seeing things. I could have sworn that bear had some bacon sticking out of his case!” He shrugged his shoulders. There were more important things to worry about. Judging by the noise coming from the top of the escalator there was some sort of dog fight going on. It needed investigating.
THE MAN IN the gentlemen’s outfitting department at Barkridges held Paddington’s hat at arm’s length between thumb and forefinger. He looked at it distastefully.
“I take it the young… er, gentleman, will not be requiring this any more, Modom?” he said.
“Oh yes, I shall,” said Paddington firmly. “I’ve always had that hat – ever since I was small.”
“But wouldn’t you like a nice new one, Paddington?” said Mrs Brown hastily, “for best?”
Paddington thought for a moment. “I’ll have one for worst if you like,” he said. “That’s my best one!”
The salesman shuddered slightly and, averting his gaze, placed the offending article on the far end of the counter.
“Albert!” He beckoned to a youth who was hovering in the background. “See what we have in size 47/8.” Albert began to rummage under the counter.
“And now, while we’re about it,” said Mrs Brown, “we’d like a nice warm coat for the winter. Something like a duffel coat with toggles so that he can do it up easily, I thought. And we’d also like a plastic raincoat for the summer.”
The salesman looked at her haughtily. He wasn’t very fond of bears and this one, especially, had been giving him queer looks ever since he’d mentioned his wretched hat. “Has Modom tried the bargain basement?” he began. “Something in Government Surplus…”
“No, I haven’t,” said Mrs Brown, hotly. “Government Surplus indeed! I’ve never heard of such a thing – have you, Paddington?”
“No,” said Paddington, who had no idea what Government Surplus was. “Never!” He stared hard at the man, who looked away uneasily. Paddington had a very persistent stare when he cared to use it. It was a very powerful stare. One which his Aunt Lucy had taught him and which he kept for special occasions.
Mrs Brown pointed to a smart blue duffel coat with a red lining. “That looks the very thing,” she said.
The assistant gulped. “Yes, Modom. Certainly, Modom.” He beckoned to Paddington. “Come this way, sir.”
Paddington followed the assistant, keeping about two feet behind him, and staring very hard. The back of the man’s neck seemed to go a dull red and he fingered his collar nervously. As they passed the hat counter, Albert, who lived in constant fear of his superior, and who had been watching the events with an open mouth, gave Paddington the thumbs-up sign. Paddington waved a paw. He was beginning
