“Now George will be happy,” she said, smiling at the hungry four. “She’s been going about like a bear with a sore head the last week or two. Have another scone, Dick? Take two while you’re about it.”

“Good idea,” said Dick, and helped himself. “Nobody makes scones and cakes like you do, Aunt Fanny. Where’s Uncle Quentin?”

“In his study,” said his aunt. “He knows it’s tea-time, and he’s heard the bell, but I expect he’s buried in something or other. I’ll have to fetch him in a minute. I honestly believe he’d go without food all day long if I didn’t go and drag him into the dining-room!”

“Here he is,” said Julian, hearing the familiar impatient footsteps coming down the hall to the dining-room. The door was flung open. Uncle Quentin stood there, a newspaper in his hand, scowling. He didn’t appear to see the children at all.

“Look here, Fanny!” he shouted. “See what they’ve put in this paper — the very thing I gave orders was NOT to be put in! The dolts! The idiots! The…”

“Quentin! Whatever’s the matter?” said his wife. “Look — here are the children — they’ve just arrived.”

But Uncle Quentin simply didn’t see any of the four children at all. He went on glaring at the paper. He rapped at it with his hand.

“Now we’ll get the place full of reporters wanting to see me, and wanting to know all about my new ideas!” he said, beginning to shout. “See what they’ve said! ‘This eminent scientist conducts all his experiments and works out all his ideas at his home, Kirrin Cottage. Here are his stack of notebooks, to which are now added two more — fruits of his visit to America, and here at his cottage are his amazing diagrams,’ and so on and so on.”

“I tell you, Fanny, we’ll have hordes of reporters down.”

“No, we shan’t, dear,” said his wife. “And, anyway, we are soon off to Spain. Do sit down and have some tea. And look, can’t you say a word to welcome Julian, Dick and Anne?”

Uncle Quentin grunted and sat down. “I didn’t know they were coming,” he said, and helped himself to a scone. “You might have told me, Fanny.”

“I told you three times yesterday and twice today,” said his wife.

Anne suddenly squeezed her uncle’s arm. She was sitting next to him. “You’re just the same as ever, Uncle Quentin,” she said. “You never, never remember we’re coming! Shall we go away again?”

Her uncle looked down at her and smiled. His temper never lasted very long. He grinned at Julian and Dick. “Well, here you are again!” he said. “Do you think you can hold the fort for me while I’m away with your aunt?”

“Rather!” said all three together.

“We’ll keep everyone at bay!” said Julian. “With Timmy’s help. I’ll put up a notice: “Beware, very fierce dog”.”