“I think he’s beautiful,” said Berta, looking down at Timmy. “He’s got the loveliest eyes I ever did see.”

George began to feel a little better. She called Timmy. “You’re making rather a fool of yourself,” she said to him.

“Now that Timmy and Sally are going to be friends, can I have Sally to sleep on my bed at night, like George has Timmy?” said Berta. “Please say yes, Aunt Fanny.”

“No,” said George at once. “Mother, I won’t have that. I won’t!”

“Well, we’ll see what we can do about it,” said her mother. “Sally was quite happy in the kennel last night, I must say.”

“I’m going to have her to sleep with me,” said Berta, scowling at George. “My father will pay you a lot of money to make me happy. He told me he would.”

“Don’t be silly, Berta,” said Aunt Fanny, firmly. “This isn’t a question of money. Now, leave this for a little while, please, and go and do your jobs, all of you. And then we must consider your father’s letter, Berta, and see exactly what he wants done. We must certainly try to follow his advice about you.”

“But I don’t want to…” began Berta, and then felt a firm hand on her arm. It was Julian.

“Come on, kid,” he said. “Be your age! Remember you’re a guest here and put on a few of your best manners. We like American children — but not spoilt ones!”

Berta had quite a shock to hear Julian speaking like this. She looked up at him and he grinned down at her. She felt near tears, but she smiled back.

“You haven’t any brothers to keep you in your place,” said Julian, linking his arms in hers. “Well, from now on, while you’re here, Dick and I are your brothers, and you’ve got to toe the line, just like Anne. See? What about it?”

Berta felt that there was nothing in the world she would like better than having Julian for a brother! He was big and tall and had twinkling kindly eyes that made Berta feel he was as responsible and trustable as her father.

Aunt Sally smiled to herself. Julian always knew the best thing to say and do. Now he would take Berta in hand and see that she didn’t upset the household too much. She was glad. It wasn’t easy to run a big family like this, with a scientist husband to cope with, unless everyone pulled together!

“You go and help Aunt Fanny with the beds,” said Julian to Berta. “And take your Sally-dog with you. She’s great! But so is Timmy, and don’t you forget it!”

Chapter Seven

A little conference

Peace reigned in the house for a little while. George and Anne went to help the cook with the washing-up. Joan was pleased, because with eight people in the house including herself, there was a lot to do.

She had been very astonished that morning to find a fifth child added to the household, but had been told that after breakfast she could go into the sitting-room and hear an explanation. Joan must certainly be in the secret too!