"At the Agricultural Hall they would 'ave been fastened down with
ribbons," said Pyecroft. "But this ain't Olympia."
"She nearly wrenched the tiller out of my hand. Don't you think I conned
her like a cock-angel, Pye?"
"_I_ never saw anything like it," said our guest propitiatingly. "And now,
gentlemen, if you'll let me go back to Linghurst, I promise you you won't
hear another word from me."
"Get in," said Pyecroft, as we puffed out on to a metalled road once more.
"We 'aven't begun on _you_ yet."
"A joke's a joke," he replied. "I don't mind a little bit of a joke
myself, but this is going beyond it."
"Miles an' miles beyond it, if this machine stands up. We'll want water
pretty soon."
Our guest's countenance brightened, and Pyecroft perceived it.
"Let me tell you," he said earnestly, "I won't make any difference to you
whatever happens. Barrin' a dhow or two Tajurrah-way, prizes are scarce in
the Navy. Hence we never abandon 'em."
There was a long silence. Pyecroft broke it suddenly.
"Robert," he said, "have you a mother?"
"Yes."
"Have you a big brother?"
"Yes."
"An' a little sister?"
"Yes."
"Robert. Does your mamma keep a dog?"
"Yes. Why?"
"All right, Robert. I won't forget it."
I looked for an explanation.
"I saw his cabinet photograph in full uniform on the mantelpiece o' that
cottage before faithful Fido turned up," Pyecroft whispered.
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