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           Amischievousboythrewastickbetweenthespokesofoneofthebackwheels,andthemachineoverturned,bringingourbrothertricyclistheavilytotheground.Fortunatelyhewasmorefrightenedthanhurt,butwemissedhismerryfaceatthedinneratChingford,wheretheyturnedupingoodnumbers.‘Long’Cummings’healthwasproposedbyourpopularVice,Mr.Westropp,theprinceofbicyclists,whoinhishappiestveinsaiditwasacaseof‘Cumming(s)thro’theRye,butfortunatelytherewasmorewheelthanwoe,’ajokewhichcreatedroarsoflaughter.”

           Weallsaidwewereverysorry,andpressedCummingstostaytosupper.CummingssaiditwaslikeoldtimesbeingwithoutLupin,andhewasmuchbetteraway.

           July3,Sunday.—Intheafternoon,asIwaslookingoutoftheparlourwindow,whichwasopen,agrandtrap,drivenbyalady,withagentlemanseatedbythesideofher,stoppedatourdoor.Notwishingtobeseen,Iwithdrewmyheadveryquickly,knockingthebackofitviolentlyagainstthesharpedgeofthewindow-sash.Iwasnearlystunned.Therewasalouddouble-knockatthefrontdoor;Carrierushedoutoftheparlour,upstairstoherroom,andIfollowed,asCarriethoughtitwasMr.Perkupp.IthoughtitwasMr.Franching.—IwhisperedtoSarahoverthebanisters:“Showthemintothedrawing-room.”Sarahsaid,astheshutterswerenotopened,theroomwouldsmellmusty.Therewasanotherloudrat-tat.Iwhispered:“Thenshowthemintotheparlour,andsayMr.Pooterwillbedowndirectly.