There it went, round and round, nodding its head to the tune, its feet tapping the grass in perfect time to Grandad’s whistling.

“Oh, the lovely thing!” said George. “Do all your horses dance as well as this one?”

“Yes. Some a good deal better,” said Grandad. “This one has a fair ear for music, but not as good an ear as some. You wait till you see them dressed up with feathery plumes nodding on their heads. Horses — there’s nothing in the world as beautiful as a good horse.”

“Mr Tapper — we come from the house over the fence there,” said Julian, feeling that it was time to explain their visit. “As you probably know, Tinker’s father owns this field, and…”

“Yes, yes — but we have an old right to come every so often,” said the old man, raising his voice. “Now don’t you start arg…”

“I haven’t come to argue with you,” said Julian, politely. “I’ve only just come to say that we — that is my friends here and I — would like to come and camp in this field, but we shouldn’t annoy you in any way, and…”

“Oh well — if that’s what you want, you’re more than welcome!” said the old man. “More than welcome! I thought maybe you’d think you could turn us out — like that youngster there would like to do!” And he nodded at Tinker.

Tinker went red and said nothing. The old man laughed. “Ha! My grandson didn’t think much of that idea, did he, youngster? He hit out, and down you went on your back. He’s got a temper, he has, young Jeremy. But another time maybe he’ll find himself on his back, eh?”

“Yes. He will,” said Tinker, at once.

“Right. Well, you’ll be even with one another then, and you can shake hands like gentlemen,” said the old man, his eyes twinkling. “Now — what about you bringing your gear right into the field, and setting up your tents? I’ll get old Charlie the Chimp to help you. He’s as strong as ten men!”

“The chimpanzee! Is he tame enough to help us to put up our tents?” said Anne, disbelievingly.

“Old Charlie is cleverer than all of you put together, and as tame as you are!” said Grandad. “And he could beat you three boys at cricket any day! You bring your bat along one morning, and watch him. I’ll call him to help you. CHARLIE! CHARLIE! Where are you? Snoozing I suppose!”

But no Charlie came. “You go and fetch him,” said the old man, pointing to a corner of the field where stood a big, strong cage, with a tarpaulin roof to keep out the rain. “He’ll do anything you want him to do, so long as you give him a word of praise now and again!”

“Let’s get him, Ju,” said Dick, eagerly. “My word — fancy having a chimpanzee to help us!”