Go on." The hansom pursued an aimless way for several minutes, then came to a puzzled stop.

The aperture above my head was uncovered, and the cabman peered down perplexedly at me.
"I say," he said, "wot plyce yer wanter go ?" "East End," I repeated.

"Nowhere in particular.

Just drive me around anywhere." "But wot's the haddress, sir ?" "See here!" I thundered.

"Drive me down to the East End, and at once!" It was evident that he did not understand, but he withdrew his head, and grumblingly started his horse.
Nowhere in the streets of London may one escape the sight of abject poverty, while five minutes' walk from almost any point will bring one to a slum; but the region my hansom was now penetrating was one unending slum.