The children laughed in disbelief. “Two hundred! Nobody lives as long as that!” said George.

“Well, that’s what she tells everyone,” said Jeremy. “And she looks it, too! But her eyes are as sharp as needles still! Shall I tell her you’ll be here to supper?”

“Well — would there be enough for so many extra?” said Julian. “We meant to bring our own meal. Should we bring that and share everything with you? We’ve more than enough. Our cook Jenny said she would have it all ready for us to bring down tonight — a meat-pie — cold sausages — and apples and bananas.”

“Sh! Don’t say bananas in front of Charlie,” said Jeremy. “He’ll worry you for them all the time. All right — you bring your food and we’ll share with you round our camp-fire. I’ll tell old Grandma. We’re having a sing-song tonight, and Fred the Fiddler’s playing his fiddle. Ah, that fiddle! Its tunes get into your feet and away you go!”

This all sounded very exciting. Julian thought they ought to go back home before anyone began to be worried about their complete disappearance, and pack up the food for supper that night.

“We’ll be back as soon as we can,” said he. “And thanks awfully for all your help. Come on, Mischief. Say good-bye to Charlie for the moment, and don’t look so gloomy. We’re coming back here tonight!”

They all went back over the fence, feeling a little tired now, but full of their plans for the evening. “It’s almost like belonging to the circus, going back to sit round a camp-fire and eat supper from that old black stewpot on the fire,” said Tinker. “I bet the supper will taste delicious. I say — I hope Dad won’t mind us popping off to the circus camp.”

“I don’t expect he’ll even notice that we’ve gone,” said George. “My father never notices things like that. Sometimes he doesn’t even notice when people are there, in front of his nose!”

“Well, that must be useful at times if they’re people he doesn’t like,” said Tinker. “Now — let’s see what Jenny’s got that we can take back with us.”

Jenny listened wide-eyed to all they had to say. “Well, well, well!” she said. “Camping out with the circus-folk! Whatever next? I’d like to know what your parents would think of that, Master Julian!”

“We’ll ask them, next time we see them,” said Julian, with a grin. “What have you got for our supper? We’re taking it down to our camp.”

“I thought maybe you’d do that,” said Jenny. “It’s all cold. A meat pie — cold sausages — a cucumber and lettuce hearts and tomatoes, rolls — and apples and bananas. Will that be enough?”

“Gosh, yes,” said Tinker, thrilled. “What about something to drink?”

“You can take lemonade or orangeade with you, whichever you please,” said Jenny. “But listen now — don’t go bursting into your father’s workroom. He’s worked hard all day, and he’s tired.”