Do n't go in . '' `` There 's no use asking the meaning of this , I suppose , '' said Uncle Roger with the calm of despair . `` I 've gave up trying to fathom you young ones . Peter , where 's the key ? What yarn have you been telling ? '' `` I DID hear a bell ring , '' said Peter stubbornly . Uncle Roger unlocked and flung open the front door . As he did so , clear and sweet , rang out ten bell-like chimes . `` That 's what I heard , '' cried Peter . `` There 's the bell ! '' We had to wait until Uncle Roger stopped laughing before we heard the explanation . We thought he never WOULD stop . `` That 's Grandfather King 's old clock striking , '' he said , as soon as he was able to speak . `` Sammy Prott came along after tea , when you were away to the forge , Peter , and I gave him permission to clean the old clock . He had it going merrily in no time . And now it has almost frightened you poor little monkeys to death . '' We heard Uncle Roger chuckling all the way to the barn . `` Uncle Roger can laugh , '' said Cecily , with a quiver in her voice , `` but it 's no laughing matter to be so scared . I just feel sick , I was so frightened . '' `` I would n't mind if he 'd laugh once and have it done with it , '' said Felicity bitterly .
`` But he 'll laugh at us for a year , and tell the story XXXXX every soul that comes to the place . ''
As Cecily Peter Roger after if in of to with