Chapter I

When Joshua Skidman poked his nose over Bill Buddle's back fence and asked Bill if he and Mrs. Buddle would care to join the Skidmans in a motor tour, Bill accepted the invitation on behalf of the Buddle family with the fervour of a man returning thanks after being prepresented with a cheque for ten thousand and the freedom of New Zealand.

On hearing the glad news, Mrs. Buddle nearly fainted with excitement.

“It's very good of them to ask us,” said Mrs. Buddle; “it will be a cheap holiday.”

“Cost us nothing except the board,” rejoined Bill.

“Of course,” corrected Mrs. Buddle, “we'll have to pay for half the petrol.”

“Even if we pay for all the petrol,” said Bill, “it will be well worth it.”

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“Of course,” explained Mrs Buddle, “the Skidmans won't expect us to do that.”

“No, I don't suppose they will,” said Bill, adding as an afterthought, “perhaps they won't expect us to pay for any.”

“I think we should offer to pay for half the petrol,” suggested Mrs. Buddle.

“Yes, that's only a fair thing,” said Bill. “Anyway, seeing the Skidmans have been so jolly decent in inviting us to go with them, we're not going to squabble over a gallon or two of petrol.”