4
　　Off to Little Brockleton
　　Next day was bright and sunny, with big piled up clouds racing¹ over the April sky.
　　‘Like puffs² of cotton wool,’ said Dinah. ‘I hope it’s going to be like this all the hols.’
　　‘I’m going to get the car,’ said Bill. ‘When I hoot³ I shall expect you all to be ready. Allie, youcan sit in front with me, and Lucy-Ann must squeeze there too, somehow. The other four can go atthe back. Luggage in the boot. And if anyone wants to be dumped on the road and left to walk, heor she has only got to behave badly, and I’ll dump them with pleasure.’
　　‘I really believe you would too, Bill,’ said Lucy-Ann.
　　‘Oh, not a doubt of it,’ said Bill, putting on such a grim face that poor Gussy was reallyalarmed. He made up his mind that he would behave superlatively well, and he immediately put onhis finest manners. He opened doors for everyone. He bowed. He tried to take whatever MrsCunningham was carrying, and carry it for her. When he got into anyone’s way, which he didalmost every minute, he sprang aside, bowed, and said:
　　‘Excuse, plizz. I pollygize.’
　　‘Polly put the kettle on,’ said Kiki, at once. ‘Polly, Polly-Polly-gize.’ Then she went off into analarming cackle of laughter.
　　‘How’s your finger, Gus?’ asked Jack⁴, politely.
　　‘It has stopped blidding,’ said Gus.
　　‘Well, I warn you – don’t try and play tricks with old Kiki,’ said Jack, ‘or she’ll go for you –make you blid again – much, much blid!’
　　‘Ah, wicket,’ said Gus. ‘I think that bird is not nice.’
　　‘I bet Kiki thinks the same of you!’ said Jack. ‘You’re standing⁵ in my way. You’d better moveunless you want this suitcase biffing you in the middle.’
　　‘Excuse, plizz. I pollygize,’ said Gussy, hurriedly, and skipped out of the way.
　　At last everything was ready. Mrs Cunningham’s cleaner came to see them off,

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