But when Templeton lay behind them, and they stepped once more on to the breezy heath, they shook off the nightmare that weighed on their spirits and were themselves again.
"Precious glad it's over," said Richardson.

"Beast, that arithmetic paper was." "I liked it better than the English," said Coote.

"I say, is 'for' a preposition or an adverb?
I couldn't remember." "Oh, look here! shut up riddles now," said Richardson, "we've had enough of them.

Let's talk about our three and not your 'for,' you Coote you." Whereupon Richardson started to run, a proceeding which at once convinced his companions that his last observation had been intended as a joke.

As in duty bound they gave chase, but the fleet-footed Dick was too many for them; and when at last they came up with him he was strongly intrenched on the box-seat of the empty waggonette at Markridge, with Tom's whip in his hand, beyond all attack.
"I say," said he, after his pursuers had taken breath and granted an amnesty, "it would be great fun to drive home by ourselves.