Anne gave a shriek. It all sounded so real that, although she knew it was a joke, she felt half-scared. “The bull!” she cried.

Cecil turned green. His legs shook. “W-w-w-where is it?” he stammered.

“Look out behind you!” yelled Julian, pointing. Poor Cecil, convinced that a large bull was about to pounce on him from behind, gave an anguished cry and tore on tottering legs to the dairy. He threw himself against Mrs. Andrews.

“Save me, save me! The bull’s chasing me!”

“But there’s no bull here,” said Mrs. Andrews, in surprise. “Really, Cecil! Was it a pig after you, or something?”

Helpless with laughter, the three children made their way back to George. They tried to tell her about the make-believe bull, but she turned away and wouldn’t listen. Julian shrugged his shoulders. Best to leave George to herself when she was in one of her rages! She didn’t lose her temper as often as she used to, but when she did she was very trying indeed.

They went back to the camp with the basket of food, Timmy following soberly. He knew something was wrong with George and he was unhappy. His tail was down, and he looked miserable. George wouldn’t even pat him.

When they got back to the camp, George flared up.

“How dare you go off without me when I told you I meant to come? Fancy taking Jock and not letting me go! I think you’re absolute beasts. I never really thought you’d do a thing like that, you and Dick.”

“Don’t be silly, George,” said Julian. “I told you we didn’t mean to let you and Anne go. I’ll tell you all that happened — and it’s pretty thrilling!”

“What? Tell me quickly!” begged Anne, but George obstinately turned away her head as if she was not interested.

Julian began to relate all the curious happenings of the night. Anne listened breathlessly. George was listening too, though she pretended not to. She was very angry and very hurt.

“Well, there you are,” said Julian, when he had finished. “If that’s what people mean by spook-trains, there was one puffing in and out of that tunnel all right! I felt pretty scared, I can tell you. Sorry you weren’t there too, George — but I didn’t want to leave Anne alone.”

George was not accepting any apologies. She still looked furious.

“I suppose Timmy went with you,” she said. “I think that was horrid of him — to go without waking me, when he knew I’d like to be with you on the adventure.”

“Oh, don’t be so silly,” said Dick, in disgust. “Fancy being angry with old Tim, too! You’re making him miserable. And anyway, he didn’t come with us. He just came to meet us when we got back, and then went off to keep Jock company on his way back to the farm.”

“Oh,” said George, and she reached out her hand to pat Timmy, who was filled with delight. “At least Timmy was loyal to me then. That’s something.”