Posted by Dave W on December 10, 1998 at 19:18:37:
A recent re-reading of PM revived a question-mark in my mind on reaching AR's description of Jacky's approach to the Dogs Home to give the Ds their first milk delivery.
Dick lifted his head from his book. "It's somebody coming," he said, "but it isn't Timothy, or Nancy, or Peggy...."
"Not unless they're walking on skates," said Dorothea.
Footsteps were coming quickly nearer up the path through the wood where the overflow from the beck had washed the stones bare, and with every step there was the sharp click of metal.
Combining this description with the appearance of Jacky's footwear in the illustrations : "Not looking at all like going" and "Feeling for a trout", and bearing in mind the proximity of the Lake-country to the nearby industrialised regions, I have come to a conclusion that satisfies myself.
I would be interested to read any suggestions from other readers.