Then he stood it against a tree, and worked from the near side.

Then I held it for him, while he lay on the ground with his head between the wheels, and worked at it from below, and dropped oil upon himself.

Then he took it away from me, and doubled himself across it like a pack-saddle, till he lost his balance and slid over on to his head.

Three times he said: "Thank Heaven, that's right at last!" And twice he said: "No, I'm damned if it is after all!" What he said the third time I try to forget.
Then he lost his temper and tried bullying the thing.

The bicycle, I was glad to see, showed spirit; and the subsequent proceedings degenerated into little else than a rough-and-tumble fight between him and the machine.