He felt as if he had stumbled into a dream-town and must walk carefully lest he stumble out.
Bubble had given him very complete directions, indeed so minute were they that we will omit them lest some day you find the way yourself and drop in on Mrs.Sykes when she is not expecting company.

But Dr.
Callandar in his amused absorption had forgotten that he was going to Mrs.Sykes at all, when he was recalled to a sense of duty by a sharp hail from the corner house of a street he had just passed.

Looking back, he saw, half-way down the road, a tall, red woman leaning over a gate, who, upon attracting his attention, began waving her arms frantically, after the manner of an old-fashioned signalman inviting a train to "Come on." Callandar's step quickened in spite of himself and he forgot his idle musings.
"Land sakes! I thought you'd never get here!" exclaimed the red woman fervently.

"I suppose that imp of a boy didn't direct you right.

Lucky I knew you as soon as you passed the corner.