“Gorgies,” said Anne, reading the name on another tin. “What a peculiar name! Oh — I suppose it’s something you gorge yourself with. Let’s open it.”

They opened half a dozen tins with most exciting names and made themselves so many sandwiches that Joan exclaimed in amazement. “However many have you made for each of you?”

“Twenny each — I mean twenTY,” said Berta. “But we won’t be back to lunch or tea, Joan. I guess we’ll be plenny hungry.”

“PlenTY!” chorused everyone, and Berta obediently repeated the word, a grin on her sun-tanned face.

What a day they had! They walked for miles and picnicked in a shady wood near a little stream that bubbled along nearby, sounding very cool and enticing. They decided to sit with their feet in it as they ate, and Anne gave continual little squeals because she said the water tickled the soles of her feet.

They were so tired when they got home that night that it was all they could do to eat their supper and stagger upstairs to bed.

“I shan’t wake till half-past twelve tomorrow morning,” yawned Dick. “Oh my poor feet! Gosh, I’m so tired I shall probably fall asleep cleaning my teeth.”

“What a peaceful night!” said Anne, looking out of her window. “Well — sleep tight, everyone; I don’t expect any of us will open an eye till late tomorrow morning. I know I shan’t!”

But she did. She opened both eyes very wide indeed in the middle of the night!

Chapter Ten

A puzzling thing

All was quiet in Kirrin Cottage. The two boys slept soundly in their room, and George and Anne slept without stirring in theirs. Berta was up in Joan’s attic room, and hadn’t moved since she had flopped into bed.

Timmy was on George’s feet, as usual, and Sally the poodle was curled up in the crook of Berta’s knees, looking like a ball of black wool! Nobody stirred.

A black cloud crept up the sky and blotted out the stars one by one. Then a low roll of thunder came. It was far off, and only a rumble, but it woke both the dogs, and it woke Anne too.

She opened her eyes wondering what the noise was. Then she knew — it was thunder.

“Oh, I hope a storm won’t come and break up this wonderful weather!” she thought, as she lay and listened. She turned towards the open window and looked for the stars, but there was none to see.

“Well, if a storm’s coming, I’ll go and watch it at the window,” thought Anne. “It should be a magnificent sight over Kirrin Bay. I’m so hot too — I’d like a breath of fresh air at the window!”

She got quietly out of bed and padded over to the open window. She leaned out, sniffing the cool air outside. The night was very dark indeed, because of the great black cloud.

The thunder came again, but not very near — just a low growl. Timmy jumped off George’s bed and went to join Anne. He put his great paws up on the windowsill and looked out solemnly over the bay.