Part 27 (2/2)
Mollie sot ”mixed up”, but she had never told the boys of her discovery; it was a little secret between her and a certain photograph that s-rooinal would have laughed along with her
”What I should like to know,” said dick, ”is what that chap O'Rourke was doing in that field What was his h's stone cut into it? That's what I want to know, and I don't suppose I ever will, now I don't think we'll go back, not at present anyway The show's over for this tio; I'm too jolly well pleased to be where I a John, who apparently thought he had done enough work for one day and was nosing about the soft grass with contely, and dick took hie there were old friends to be greeted, and many inquiries for Mollie's ankle to be answered Fresh crusty loaves were brought out by the baker, loosely wrapped in soft paper, and packed away under the seats A large box, containing a peculiarly delicious e cake, was set on Mollie's lap, and a blue paper bag of sifted sugar was entrusted to Jerry's special care by aattention, which entailed a long and intimate conversation with the local carpenter, as also a well-known local golfer, and the best hand at repairing clubs, dick was convinced, in the whole of Great Britain
It was getting on towards tea-ti John's head was at last turned horound with cheerful and approving swiftness A drizzle of rain fell, ”Just enough to save us the trouble of washi+ng for tea,” dick commented ”Do you think our white aunt can be induced to coolf after tea, Moll, or is she afraid of rain?”
”Good gracious, no,” Mollie replied ”Aunt Mary goes out in all the weathers ever invented She will love a round of golf; she hasn't played since I sprained my ankle I wish I could come too I wonder if I could hop round with my stick and look on I do love to watch Aunt Mary drive; I learnt a lot from her last week before I sprained atived this proposal ”You'd get a ball in the eye to finish you up with,” dick said ”We'll plan some picnics till you are better, and explore the country a bit and knock some fat off this animal--hullo!--what's that?”
A sudden twist in the narrow road had brought into view a e, whilst its owner squatted beside it and tinkered at its mechanism--tinkered in vain apparently, for, as the boys drew up beside him to offer assistance, he rose to his feet and shook his head hopelessly
”Can we help you?” dick asked, eyeing the bicycle with interest
”I'ot no tools here, but there is a smithy about a mile farther on and the chap there has a motor bike, so I expect he could lend you a hand”
”Thank you veryrelieved ”I'll shove her along there and leave her I a, and will have to be trundled back to town by rail Can you tell me if I am anywhere near a place called Chauncery?”
”Rather,” dick answered, with a grin ”That's our place It's about half ato the left”
”Indeed!” said the stranger, looking sohtly dismayed; ”I understood that it was occupied by Mrs and Miss Gordon, not by anyone with chil--young people,” he corrected hiot us, owing to circs We are Mrs Gordon's grandchildren”
”Oh--I see! I hope that Mrs and Miss Gordon are in good health?”
”Pretty bobbish, thank you,” dick was answering when Mollie interrupted:
”Can we give you a lift? We are on our way ho to rain hard presently”
”That is a very kind offer,” the ratefully, ”and I wish I could accept it, as I a derelict by the roadside, and I fear that your hospitality cannot be extended to the old bus, I thought perhaps--if you would be so very kind--you e at the smithy you ”
But the word ”lame” had roused all Mollie's sympathy ”How lame are you?” she asked ”Is it a wound? I am lame too--only a sprained ankle, but I should hate to walk from here to Chauncery”
”Of course you couldn't,” the motorist said kindly ”I ao, but it has left rather a crocky foot behind I could h, however, if someone from the smithy would coested; ”if you hop in and look after Mollie, Jerry and I will push the bike to the ser looked at dick with a s, youngI run aith the pony and the cart and the sister? What will you do then?”
”Stick to the bike,” dick answered prohtfully badly, and Father says I ht Besides--you _said_ you knew Grannie and Aunt Mary”
”Well, I happen to be quite a safe person, so you're all right this tiave his head a warning shake ”You are exceedingly kind I only fear it would be rather a heavy job for you”
But this the boys denied strenuously ”If we stick, one of us will go and collect young Siht as rain--and we'd better hurry up” dick left the trap as he spoke by the si over the side, and Jerry followed his exaive you h Caer had said ”George the Fifth of England” he could not have produced more effect All three stared at him with their mouths open ”What's the matter with that?” he asked ”It's a very respectable naive you my card” He put his hand in his breastpocket
”Oh no,” Mollie said rather breathlessly ”No--please don't ”
”So _what_?” exclai stock still with his hand in his pocket