Away they sped; down the neglected carriage drive, out of the gates, and away down the road.  Pip, Judy of the shining eyes, the General devouring his thumb, and Pat smiling-faced once more because in possession of the reins.

A wind from the river swept through the belt of gum trees on the Crown lands, and sent the young red blood leaping through their veins; it played havoc with Judy’s curls, and dyed her brown cheeks a warm red; it made the General kick and laugh and grow restive, and caused Pip to stick his hat on the back of his head and whistle joyously.

Until town was reached, when they were forced to yield somewhat to the claims of conventionality.  On the way to Paddington a gentleman on horseback slackened pace a little.  Pip took off his hat with a flourish, and Judy gave a frank, pleased smile, for it was a certain old Colonel they had known for years, and had cause to remember his good-humour and liberality.

“Well, my little maid—­well, Philip, lad,” he said, smiling genially, while his horse danced round the dogcart—­“and the General too—­where are you all off to?”

“The Barracks—­I’m taking something up for the governor,” Pip answered, Judy was watching the plunging horse with admiring eyes.  “And then we’re going back home.”

The old gentleman managed, in spite of the horse’s tricks, to slip his hand in his pocket.  “Here’s something to make yourselves ill with on the way,” he said, handing them two half-crowns; “but don’t send me the doctor’s bill.”

He flicked the General’s cheek with his whip, gave Judy a nod, and cantered off.

The children looked at each other with sparkling eyes.

“Coconuts,” Pip said, “and tarts and toffee, and save the rest for a football?” Judy shook her head.  “Where do I come in?” she said.  “You’d keep the football at school.  I vote pink jujubes, and icecreams, and a wax doll.”

“A wax grandmother!” Pip retorted; “you wouldn’t be such a girl, I hope.”  Then he added, with almost pious fervour, “Thank goodness you’ve always hated dolls, Fizz.”

Judy gave a sudden leap in her seat, almost upsetting the General, and bringing down upon her head a storm of reproaches from the coachman.  “I know!” she said; “and we’re almost halfway there now.  Oh—­h—­h! it will be lovely.”

Pip urged her to explain herself.

“Bondi Aquarium—­skating, boats, merry-go-round, switchback threepence a go!” she returned succinctly.

“Good iron,” Pip whispered softly, while he revolved the thing in his mind.  “There’d be something over, too, to get some tucker with, and perhaps something for the football, too.”  Then his brow clouded.

“There’s the kid—­whatever did you go bringing him for?  Just like a girl to spoil everything!” Judy looked nonplussed.

“I quite forgot him,” she said, vexedly.  “Couldn’t we leave him somewhere?  Couldn’t we ask someone to take care of him while we go?  Oh, it would be too bad to have to give it up just because of him.  It’s beginning to rain, too; we couldn’t take him with us.”