'Do me a kindness,' she said. 'Put my bike in your shed, and take it to
Baker's on Monday, will you?'

'I'll sit up all night and mend it for you, if you like.'

'No thanks. And Joe and I'll walk on.'

'Oh--ho! Oh--ho!' sang Albert. 'Joe! Joe! What do you say to that, now,
boy? Aren't you in luck's way. And I get the bloomin' old bike for my
pal. Consider it again, Miss Stokes.'

Joe turned aside his face, and did not speak.

'Oh, well! I wheel the grid, do I? I leave you, boy--'

'I'm not keen on going any further,' barked out Joe, in an uncouth voice.
'She hain't my choice.'

The girl stood silent, and watched the two men.

'There now!' said Albert. 'Think o' that! If it was _me_ now--' But he
was uncomfortable. 'Well, Miss Stokes, have me,' he added.

Miss Stokes stood quite still, neither moved nor spoke. And so the three
remained for some time at the lane end. At last Joe began kicking the
ground--then he suddenly lifted his face. At that moment Miss Stokes was
at his side. She put her arm delicately round his waist.

'Seems I'm the one extra, don't you think?' Albert inquired of the high