Bernie does not cross-examine much; but if anyone gets discomfited,
he laughs a sort of little silver-whistle giggle, which is trying
to the unhappy blunderer.'
'MAY 9TH. - Frewen is deep in parachutes. I beg him not to drop
from the top landing in one of his own making.'
'JUNE 6TH, 1876. - Frewen's crank axle is a failure just at present
- but he bears up.'
'JUNE 14TH. - The boys enjoy their riding. It gets them whole
funds of adventures. One of their caps falling off is matter for
delightful reminiscences; and when a horse breaks his step, the
occurrence becomes a rear, a shy, or a plunge as they talk it over.
Austin, with quiet confidence, speaks of the greater pleasure in
riding a spirited horse, even if he does give a little trouble. It
is the stolid brute that he dislikes. (N.B. You can still see six
inches between him and the saddle when his pony trots.) I listen
and sympathise and throw out no hint that their achievements are
not really great.'
'JUNE 18TH. - Bernard is much impressed by the fact that I can be
useful to Frewen about the steamboat' [which the latter
irrepressible inventor was making].
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