But Jeffreys heeded nothing and strode on to Ash Cottage.
Long before he got there, Freddy and Teddy, who had been on the look-out for him for an hour, scampered down to meet him.
"Hurrah, Jeff!" shouted Teddy (I grieve to say that these irreverent brethren had long ago fallen into the scandalous habit of calling their teacher by a familiar contraction of his proper name, nor had the master rebuked them).

"Hurrah, Jeff! we were afraid you weren't coming." "The tricycle won't go," said Freddy; "we've pulled it all to bits, and tried to make it right with a hammer, but it's very bad." "It's glorious you've come to do it.

Isn't Jeff a brick, Teddy ?" "Rather--and, oh, did you bring any oil?
We used all ours up." "We've got a screw-driver, though!" said Freddy.
"And lots of string!" shouted Teddy.
"You _are_ a brick to come and do it," shouted both.
Where in the world is there a tonic equal to the laugh of a light- hearted grateful little boy?
How could Jeffreys help forgetting his trouble for a time and devoting himself heart and soul to the business of that tricycle?
Trimble, as he dodged along after them perplexed and puffing, could hardly believe his eyes as he saw his morose colleague suddenly throw off the burden that was on him and become gay.
"Come along, little chaps--let's see what we can do," said Jeffreys, as the three strode out to the cottage.

"Where is he ?" "In the shed.

We've got a candle." Trimble saw them disappear into the garden, and, guided by their cheery voices, soon discovered the back of the shed in which the momentous surgical operation was to take place.