" Well, Joe,” said Mrs. Barrable. “What about that watcher of yours at Acle? He doesn’t seem to have been of much use yesterday.”
The twins laughed.
“Him?” said Joe indignantly. “I been down to Acle last night. Bill’s bike. That Robin never see ‘em go through the bridge. And for why? You know that fourpence I leave him for the telephone. His mam keep him in bed with a stomach-ache. You wouldn’ think a chap could get a stomach-ache for fourpence. But he done it. He go and buy a lot of dud bananas cheap and eat the lot.”
“Disgraceful,” said the Admiral.
“I’ll stomach-ache him when I get him,” said Joe. "

― Arthur Ransome , Coot Club (Swallows and Amazons, #5)