Had he but expressed some hint at regret that the distance was so long, or vouchsafed the least semblance of a growl at the labour involved, they would have loved him.

As it was, they durst do nothing but hate him, and accept his information joyously.
"That's nothing," said Lickford.

"I feel quite fresh; don't you, you chaps ?" "Rather!" they chimed in plaintively.
"Better get on," said Wally, after a few minutes more.

How they loathed Wally then! The new slope was worse than the first; for the grass was more boggy, and big stones here and there jarred their tender feet.

Besides, it grieved them to see Wally zigzagging steadily on ahead, utterly regardless of their distress behind.