hard work at times?"

"Rather, on grades, you know. But on smooth roads it goes very easily;
besides, I've worked it every day almost for so long that I've got a
pretty good muscle now. My father had this one made for me only two
months ago to use here at Erskine. The last machine I had was very much
heavier and harder to manage."

"I guess being so light has made it weak," said Neil, "or it wouldn't
have broken down like this."

"Oh, I fancy that was more my fault than the tricycle's," answered the
boy. As Neil was behind him he did not see the smile that accompanied
the words.

"Well, I'll take you home and then wheel the thing down to the bicycle
repair-shop near the depot, eh?"

"Oh, no, indeed," protested the other. "I'll--I'll have them send up for
it. I wouldn't have you go way down there with it for anything."

"Pshaw! that's no walk; besides, if you have them send, it will be some
time to-morrow afternoon before you get it back."

"I sha'n't really need it before then," answered the lad earnestly.

"You might," said Neil. There was such a tone of finality in the reply
that the boy on the seat yielded, but for an instant drew his face into
a pucker of perplexity.