"Pull away, Bob," cried impetuous Will, eagerly.
"Steady, Will!" exclaimed Black-a-vised Bob, sardonically.
"Keep time, for goodness sake, John," said accurate Joachim.
"Want your bell to be heard above all the rest!" murmured sombre John.
"Are you trying to hang yourself, or pull the belfry down, Randolph," muttered stolid Harty, beneath his moustache.
"Oh, confound it; I could lick the lot of you!" shouted little Randolph, tugging tremendously at his rope, and fairly carried off his feet by the recoil.
"Bow-wow-wow!" barked Toby.
"Right, my dog!" said his Master. "Good Bell-ringing, my boys, requires combination and subordination, unity of purpose as well as union of powers. A bull-like power of pull is not enough, or, by Jove! you'd all be crack campanologists. Come, Gentlemen, a Christmas Carillon at least should not be all cacaphonous crash and clatter. All together, my lads, for once; or, rather, keep time, and touch, and tune, with due regard to the perfection of the peal and the credit of the glorious old Chimes!"