In a very short time Austin had overcome the initial difficulties of locomotion, and now began to take regular exercise out of doors.

It would be too much to say that his gait was particularly elegant; but there really was something triumphal about the way in which he learnt to brandish his leg with every step he took, and the majestic swing with which he brought it round to its place in advance of the other.
In fact, he soon found himself stumping along the highroads with wonderful speed and safety; though to clamber over stiles, and work a bicycle one-footed, of course took much more practice.
Hitherto I have said nothing about the neighbourhood of Austin's home.
Now when I say neighbourhood, I don't mean the topographical surroundings--I use the word in its correcter sense of neighbours; and these it is necessary to refer to in passing.

Of course there were several people living round about.

There was the MacTavish family, for instance, consisting of Mr and Mrs MacTavish, five daughters and two sons.

Mrs MacTavish had a brother who had been knighted, and on the strength of such near relationship to Sir Titus and Lady Clandougal, considered herself one of the county.