This seemed a good and simple plan. So Pip proceeded to carry it out. He threw the ball wildly, and it flew into the garden of Kosy-Kot, actually hitting against the bicycle-shed.
"Blow!" said Pip loudly. "My ball's gone into that garden."
"We'll go and ask if we may get it," said Daisy. So into the gate they went and up to the front door.
A woman opened it. "Please, our ball has gone into your garden," said Pip. "May we get it?"
"Yes, but don't tread on any of the beds," said the woman, and shut the door. The children went round to the back of the house. To their annoyance they saw a man there, digging. He stared at them.
"What do you kids want? "
"Oh—excuse us, please, but your wife said we might come and get our ball," said Fatty, politely. "I hope you don't mind."
"Well, get it, then," said the man, and went on digging. Fatty made for the shed and pretended to hunt round about. The door was open and he looked inside. It was full of garden tools and old sacks—but there was no bike there at all. How annoying!
"Haven't you found it?" said the man, and came over to look too. Then Fatty gave an exclamation and picked up the ball. He looked at the neat little shed.
"Useful sheds those, aren't they?" he said. "Jolly good for bikes. Wish I had one like that."