The boy made a spurt, and shouted and whistled after the retreating omnibus, but it was not of the slightest avail; neither the conductor nor the driver took any notice. Realizing the hopelessness of his efforts, the boy stopped and saw Gwen, who came panting up. "No use, it's gone too far!" he exclaimed. "It's an atrocious swindle! Those men never look. I suppose you were trying to catch it too?" "Yes. I always go by the 4.20." "So do I; so it's a nuisance to miss this. We're out of luck to-day." Gwen knew the boy quite well by sight, as for the last few weeks he had been a fellow passenger morning and evening in the omnibus. He was a jolly-looking fellow, about her own age or perhaps a little older, with a brown skin and very twinkling, brown eyes. He wore a grammar-school cap, and carried some books, so she could guess his occupation in Stedburgh. "I believe the next goes at half-past six," he remarked ruefully. "But you won't catch me waiting for it I shall walk." "So shall I," agreed Gwen. "Walking's better fun any time than standing waiting," and she suited her action to her words. The boy kept by her side, evidently not unpleased to have a companion to talk to. "You're one of the Gascoyne girls, aren't you?" he began. "I see the whole lot of you every day cramming into the bus. Aren't you the one they call Gwen?" "I believe I am." "It's you who's generally left something behind, or lost something, or got yourself into some kind of a pickle; then the one with her hair turned up scolds." "That's Winnie," chuckled Gwen. "Those two youngsters are cheeky imps. Tell them they'll get their heads smacked some day!" "They often do at home." "Serve 'em right. I'm glad to hear it. How many more are there of you at home?" "Only two." "Quite enough, I should think!" "Thank you! You've asked all about my family, but you haven't told me who you are." "Why, I thought you knew. My name is Dick Chambers. My father is Dr. Chambers, who's just taken Dr. Harrison's practice." "At North Ditton?" "Yes, we only came six weeks ago. Dr. Harrison has gone to London." [Illustration: GWEN MEETS DICK] "I knew Dr. Harrison," said Gwen. "He came to see us when we had scarlatina, and gave us some loathly medicine!" "Dad can do a little in that line!" laughed Dick. "He once made me drink asafoetida when I was a kid, to cure me of sampling bottles in the surgery." "Is it nasty?" "It smells like a defunct rat, so you can imagine the taste." "Ugh!" "He doesn't give such bad things to his patients, though. There's some quite decent stuff in the dispensary, and sometimes the bottles are coloured pink, especially if they're for girls. I'm going to be a doctor when I grow up." "I suppose you'll help your father. Have you any brothers and sisters?" "Not a single one." "Oh, I should think that's rather slow!" "I don't find it so. There's always plenty to do." "Do you like North Ditton?"