The Slowcoach | Page 4

every time he took a step. He kept a careful record of the
distance he had walked since his birthday, and could tell you at any
time what it was, if you gave him a minute or two to crawl under the
table and undo his clothes. He could be heard grunting in dark places
all day long, having been forbidden by Janet to undress in public.
Robert's birthday was on June 20, Hester's on November 8, and Janet's
on February 28. She had the narrowest escape, you see, of getting
birthdays only once in every four years; which is one of the worst
things that can happen to a human being. Gregory Bruce was a little
less lucky, for his birthday was on December 20, which is so near to
Christmas Day that mean persons have been known to make one gift do
for both events. None the less, Gregory's possessions were very
numerous; for he had many friends, and most of them were careful to
keep these two great anniversaries apart.
Gregory's particular passion just now was the names of engines, of
which he had one of the finest collections in Europe; but a model
aeroplane which Mr. Scott had given him was beginning to turn his
thoughts towards the conquest of the air, and whereas he used to tell

people that he meant to be an engine driver when he grew up, he was
now adding, "or a man like Wilbur Wright."
Most children have wanted to fly ever since "Peter Pan" began, and, as
I dare say you have heard, some have tried from the nursery window,
with perfectly awful results, having neglected to have their shoulders
first touched magically; but Gregory Bruce Avory wanted to fly in a
more regular and scientific manner. He wanted to fly like an engineer.
To his mind, indeed, the flying part of "Peter Pan" was the least
fascinating; he preferred the underground home, and the fight with the
Indians, and the mechanism of the crocodile. For a short time, in fact,
his only ambition had been to be the crocodile's front half.
Janet, on the other hand, liked Nana and the pathetic motherly parts the
best; Robert's favourite was Smee, and often at meal times he used to
say, "Woe is me, I have no knife"; while Hester was happiest in the
lagoon scene. This difference of taste in one small family shows how
important it is for anyone who writes a play to put a lot of variety into
it.
Janet, the eldest, was also the most practical. She was, in fact, towards
the others almost more of a younger mother than an elder sister. Not
that Mrs. Avory neglected them at all; but Janet relieved her of many
little duties. She always knew when their feet were likely to be wet, and
Robert had once said that she had "stocking changing on the brain."
She could cook, too, especially cakes, and the tradesmen had a great
respect for her judgment when she went shopping. She knew when a
joint would be too fat, and you should see her pointing out the bone!
Janet was a tall girl, and very active, and, in spite of her responsibilities,
very jolly. She played hockey as well almost as a boy, which is, of
course, saying everything, and her cricket was good, too. Her bowling
was fast and straight, and usually too much for Robert, who knew,
however, the initials of all the gentlemen and the Christian names and
birthplaces of most of the professionals. Gregory could not bear cricket,
except when it was his own innings, which he seemed to enjoy during
its brief duration. Hester thought it dull throughout, so that Janet had to
depend upon Robert and the Rotherams for the best games.

Janet had very straight fair hair, and just enough freckles to be pretty.
She looked nicest in blue. Hester, on the contrary, was a dark little
thing, whose best frock was always red.
As for the boys--it doesn't matter what boys are like; but Gregory, I
might say, usually had black hands: not because he was naturally a
grubby little beast, but because engineers do. Robert, on the contrary,
was disposed to be dressy, and he declined to allow his mother or Janet
to buy his socks or neckties without first consulting him as to colours.
Among the friends of the family must be put first Uncle Chris, who was
Captain Avory's brother and a lawyer in Golden Square. Uncle Chris
looked after Mrs. Avory's money and gave advice. He was very nice,
and came to dinner every Sunday (hot roast beef and horse radish
sauce). There was an Aunt Chris, too, but she was an invalid and could
not leave her room, where she lay all