Bang ! went the front door ; tramp , tramp , tramp , came six booted feet up the stairs ; and , as Frank threw wide the door , three large beings paused on the threshold to deliver the courteous `` Hullo ! '' which is the established greeting among boys on all social occasions . `` Come along , old fellows ; I 'm ever so glad to see you ! '' cried the invalid , with such energetic demonstrations of the arms that he looked as if about to fly or crow , like an excited young cockerel . `` How are you , Major ? '' `` Does the leg ache much , Jack ? '' `` Mr. Phipps says you 'll have to pay for the new rails . '' With these characteristic greetings , the gentlemen cast away their hats and sat down , all grinning cheerfully , and all with eyes irresistibly fixed upon the dainties , which proved too much for the politeness of ever-hungry boys . `` Help yourselves , '' said Jack , with a hospitable wave . `` All the dear old ladies in town have been sending in nice things , and I ca n't begin to eat them up . Lend a hand and clear away this lot , or we shall have to throw them out of the window . Bring on the doughnuts and the tarts and the shaky stuff in the entry closet , Frank , and let 's have a lark . '' No sooner said than done . Gus took the tarts , Joe the doughnuts , Ed the jelly , and Frank suggested `` spoons all round '' for the Italian cream . A few trifles in the way of custard , fruit , and wafer biscuits were not worth mentioning ; but every dish was soon emptied , and Jack said , as he surveyed the scene of devastation with great satisfaction , -- `` Call again to-morrow , gentlemen , and we will have another bout . Free lunches at 5 P.M. till further notice . Now tell me all the news . '' For half an hour , five tongues went like mill clappers , and there is no knowing when they would have stopped if the little bell had not suddenly rung with a violence that made them jump . `` That 's Jill ; see what she wants , Frank ; '' and while his brother sent off the basket , Jack told about the new invention , and invited his mates to examine and admire .
They did so , and shouted with merriment when the next despatch from XXXXX arrived .
Frank Hullo Jill Phipps clappers cockerel doughnuts hour violence wafer