Nutty knew that Biddy's lessons cost ten pounds hour but there was no other way.
Uncle Bean agreed to pay for the horses' shoes and food. But i want my money back if you lose. like Biddy," he slid to Nutty.
Add it to the bill Nutty said crossly. 'It's only one thousand four hundred and forty pounds. Who's worrying about a few hundred more?
Uncle Bean shouted with laughter."With a bill like that. i guess the four of you will work harder than you've ever done in your lives! And they did. They began to work their running.
they run to and from school, and down to the old factory where the horses were every morning and evening. They had riding lessons with Biddy three times a week, and went swimming often as they could.
Swimming lessons with Nails were not easy. His way of teaching was very frightening. His idea was that if you put someone who can't swim into deep water, he'll have to swim to stay alive. At their first lesson Hoomey could only swim about three metres in shallow water.
Get in," Nails said to Hoomey
But it's the deep end.
You just get in here and swim to where you can stand up.
hoomey turned to run. Nails caught him, fastened his thin arms round the shaking body and jumped in with him Nutty was watching and tried not to scream as the water close over Hooney
But Hoomey came up again him with Nails beside him
Swim!' Nails shouted in his ear. "Or you'll die.'
Hoomey moved his arms about wildly. Nails turned on his back and slid in the water in front of Hoomey, watching him and pushing his big toe under Hooney's chin.
Come on, you stupid fool, or I'll hit you.
Hoomey tried. He didn't want to die. He swam, keeping up with Nails's feet. Every time he started to go down, Nails pulled him up with his toe. Then just when Hoomey thought he really was going to die, Nails's foot pulled him up out of the water and, with a quick push, stood him up.