Approacninc the outskirts of Abbot's Snorting, Mr. Eric Pencil, the adored "middle Lunnon lad" of Mi: Mattock, became conscious of a limping girl in his' path.
As he overtook her he heard groans, So he dismounted from his bicycle and asked if he could help in any way.
"Ee!" said Miss Cissy Scythe, reckless of Mr, Hoe's warning not to try any of her tricks, and determined to have revenge on Miss Mattock, a gentleman! Oh, Oi be shi vower ta pester- thee. but Oi've sprained moi ankle...."
"Most painful," said Mr.
Pencil sympathetically.
"Oh, Oi clu indeed be sha-amed tu ask thee," said Miss Scythe, giving him the full benefit of her coy glance, "but cud thee help Oi wheam? Teesn't far; just in Lolloper's Lane. If Oi cud put moi arm round thy neck?"
"Certainly, certainly, said Mr. Pencil.
And they began a slow and clinging progress towards Lolloper's Lane and the waiting Miss Mattock.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.