At
the beginning of the first hill, however, the donkey stopped dead.
Several hands seized its bridle and tried to urge it forward, while Mavis
and Merle pushed it in the rear, but not all their efforts could induce
it to stir an inch.
"Romola! What utter idiots we are!" exclaimed Beata. "Of course we've
forgotten the peppermints!"
"Bother! So we have! We must go back for some, that's all!"
"The 'donk' won't go without peppermints! He simply loves them!"
explained Beata tragically.
"We always take a big packet of them with us to give him. He expects
them! He's turning his head round to look for them!"
"Bless his heart, he shall have them then!" cooed Merle, patting the
dusty coat of their steed. "His auntie will go and get some for him
herself if he'll wait like a good boy. Is he particular what kind he
gets?"
"He likes those big brown humbugs!"
"Right-o! I'll run to Denham's shop and buy some. It's not far. Wait for
me, won't you?"
"Wait!" echoed Beata. "There'll be no question of going on.
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