"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.
"Thank you," he said; "it's awfully nice of you to take so much trouble."
"I can't see that," Neil replied. "I don't see how I could do any less. By the way, what's your name, if you don't mind?"