Five Get Into Trouble Read Online Free PDF Page A

looked at Richard doubtful y. He wasn't very sure if Richard real y would go and ask permission.

    'Well — if you aren't too long about it,' he said. 'Of course we don't mind you coming with us. We can drop you at your aunt's on the way.'

    'I'l go straight off now and ask my mother,' said Richard, eagerly, and he ran for his bicycle. 'I'll meet you at Croker's Corner — you saw it on the map. That wil save time, because then I shan't have to come back here — it's not much farther than my home.'

    'Right,' said Julian. I've got to adjust my brakes, and that wil take ten minutes or so. You'l have time to go home and ask permission, and join us later. We'll wait for you; at least we'll wait for ten minutes, at Croker's Corner. If you don't turn up we'll know you didn't get permission. Tell your mother we'll leave you safely at your aunt's.'

    Richard shot off on his bicycle, looking excited. Anne began to clear up, and George helped her. Timmy got in everyone's way, sniffing about for dropped crumbs.

    'Anyone would think he was half-starved!' said Anne. 'He had a lot more breakfast than I had. Timmy, if you walk through my legs again I'l tie you up!'

    Julian adjusted his brakes with Dick's help. In about fifteen minutes they were ready to set off. They had planned where to stop to buy food for their lunch, and although the journey to Middlecombe Woods was a longer trip than they had made the day before, they felt able to cope with more miles on the second day. Timmy was eager to set off too.
    He was a big dog, and enjoyed al the exercise he was getting.

    'It'l take a bit of your fat off,' said Dick to Timmy. 'We don't like fat dogs, you know. They waddle and they puff.'

    'Dick! Timmy's never been fat!' said George, indignantly, and then stopped as she saw Dick's grin. He was pul ing her leg as usual. She kicked herself. Why did she always rise like that, when Dick teased her through Timmy? She gave him a friendly punch.

    They all mounted their bicycles. Timmy ran ahead, pleased. They came to a lane and rode down it, avoiding the ruts. They came out into a road. It was not a main road, for the children didn't like those; they were too full of traffic and dust. They liked the shady lanes or the country roads where they met only a few carts or a farmer's car.

    'Now, don't let's miss Croker's Corner,' said Julian. 'It should be along this way somewhere, according to the map. George, if you get into ruts like that you'l be thrown off.'

    'Al right, I know that!' said George. 'I only got into one because Timmy swerved across my wheel. He's after a rabbit or something. Timmy! Don't get left behind, you idiot.'

    Timmy bounded reluctantly after the little party. Exercise was wonderful, but it did mean leaving a lot of marvellous wayside smel s unsniffed at. It was a dreadful waste of smel s, Timmy thought.

    They came to Croker's Corner sooner than they thought. The signpost proclaimed the name — and there, leaning against the post, sitting on his bicycle was Richard, beaming at them.

    'You've been jol y quick, getting back home and then on to here,' said Julian. 'What did your mother say?'

    'She didn't mind a bit so long as I was with you,' said Richard. 'I can go to my aunt's for the night, she said.'

    'Haven't you brought pyjamas or anything with you?' asked Dick.

    'There are always spare ones at my aunt's,' explained Richard. 'Hurray — it wil be marvel ous to be out on my own all day with you — no Mr Lomax to bother me with this and that. Come on!'

    They all cycled on together. Richard would keep trying to ride three abreast, and Julian had to warn him that cyclists were not al owed to do that. 'I don't care!' sang Richard, who seemed in very high spirits. 'Who is there to stop us, anyway?'

    'I shall stop you,' said Julian, and Richard ceased grinning at once. Julian could sound very stern when he liked. Dick winked at George, and she winked back. They had both come to the conclusion that Richard was very