noyed. Beryl and Iris broke into a peal of
laughter.

"Don't see where any joke comes in," he grunted. "But why not have a
try now, Mr Holt? There's Bontebok up in the stable. He always bucks
when you first get on him. I'll go and tell Sixpence to saddle him up
just now."

"You'll do nothing of the sort, George," pronounced Iris decisively.
"You're a great deal too cheeky. I wonder Mr Holt stands it. Besides,
we want him to go out with us."

That dear little girl! I was fond of her already, but more than ever
now that she had come to my rescue in that whole-hearted and tactful
fashion. For I did not want to make an exhibition of myself and furnish
forth a circus entertainment with Beryl for audience; and it would have
been difficult, unaided, to have backed out of what was in effect a
challenge, without jeopardising my reputation.

"Another time, George. Another time," I answered loftily.

"Right you are; I'll tell them to keep Bontebok up," came the ready
response. "He'll be livelier in the morning."

The young villain, you see, was not going to let me down so easily.

"But I may not be. Those circus tricks are all very well for an
unfledged young monkey like you, George, but a middle-aged buffer isn't
always on for that sort of game."

"Middle-aged buffer! That's good," jeered the young rascal. "Why, you
and Brian were at school together."

"Oh, George, will you scoot?" interrupted Iris, emphasising the
injunction with a far from gentle push. "You're getting such a bore,
you know. Go and make yourself useful in some way, if you can. Get the
air-gun and go and shoot some mouse birds. Brian and dad both want some
tails to clean their pipes with."

"Can't. Dad'd object. It's Sunday."

"Well, anyhow--scoot. I don't want you. So long."

"I'm on for a swim in the dam," was the answer. "I'll go and rout out
Brian."

Iris, you see, ruled the house, including George. Including me, I might
add; but for me her rule was light. She was almost more grateful to me
for keeping my own counsel upon it than for getting her out of her
perilous predicament. Anyhow, we were great friends, and she teased me
with the same freedom and whole-heartedness that she teased Brian, who
idolised her; but in her bright, pretty, engaging little ways there was
none of the covert impudence that characterised Master George's attempts
at banter.

"I hear you are going to stay with us altogether, Mr Holt," she bro