The Bicycle. Lots. For one thing, she says she feels so absolutely safe on me; she knows that, whatever she meets, I shall never start, or shy, or rear, or anything of that sort.
Bayard. I don't remember playing any of those tricks with her, however hard she pulled the curb.
The Bicycle. Then she says she never has to consider whether any distance will be too much for me.
Bayard. As for that——But the longer I was out with her, the better I was pleased; she might have brought me home as lame as a tree all round, and I shouldn't have cared!
The Bicycle. Perhaps not. But she would; so inconvenient, you see. Now my strong point is, I can't go lame—in good hands, of course, and she knows exactly how to manage me, I will say that for her!
Bayard. Does she give you carrots or sugar after a ride? she did me.
The Bicycle (with a creak of contempt). Now what do you suppose I could do with sugar or a carrot if I had it? No, a drop or two of oil now and then is all I take in the way of sustenance. That's another point in my favour, I cost little or nothing to keep. Now, your oats and hay and stuff, I daresay, cost more in a year than I'm worth altogether!
Bayard.. I must admit that you have the advantage of me in cheapness. If I thought she grudged me my oats——But I'm afraid I couldn't manage on a drop or two of oil.
The Bicycle. You'd want buckets of it to oil your bearings. No, she wouldn't save by that! (Stubbs re-enters.) Ah, here comes my man. I must be going; got to take her over to Pineborough, rather a bore this dusty weather, but when a lady's in the case, eh?
Bayard. There's a nasty hill going into Pineborough; do be careful how you take her down it!