I was in the top form.

I'm older than you, though." "I'm ten," replied the proud owner of that venerable age.
"I'm nine in February," chimed in the still-fluttered junior.
"I'm about as old as you two put together.

How old's that, Freddy ?" "Nineteen," said Freddy.
By this time Jeffreys had gradually descended the bank and stood close to the two small brothers.
"Bravo, young 'un, you can do sums, I see!" "Compound division and vulgar fractions," said Freddy confidentially.
Jeffreys gave a whistle of admiration which won the heart of his hearer.
"Are you going to school now ?" inquired the latter.
"No; I've left school," said Jeffreys, "last week." "Last week! why, it's only the middle of the term.

Were you sent away ?" Jeffreys began to feel uncomfortable in the presence of this small cross-examiner.
"I got into trouble and had to leave." "I know why," said the younger brother, plucking up courage.
"Why ?" inquired Jeffreys, with an amused smile.
"Because you were so ugly!" Jeffreys laughed.

"Thank you," said he.
"Was it because you killed the master ?" asked the more matter-of-fact Freddy.
Poor Jeffreys winced before this random shot, and hastened to divert the conversation.
"Whose school do you go to ?" he inquired.
"Trimble's; we hate her," said the two youths in a breath.
"Why?
Does she whack you ?" "No; but she worries us, and young Trimble's worse still.