George couldn’t help laughing, and the sulky look went at once. She gave Julian a punch. “All right. You win. You’re so jolly domineering these days I feel quite afraid of you!”

“You’re not afraid of anyone,” said Dick. “You’re the bravest girl I ever knew! Aha! That’s made old George blush like a girl! Let me warm my hands, George!”

And Dick held his hands up in front of George’s scarlet face, pretending to warm them at her fiery blush. She didn’t know whether to be pleased or angry. She pushed his hands away and got up, looking more like a boy than ever with her short tousled hair and her well-freckled face!

The others got up and stretched. Then they settled their rucksacks on their backs again, with their macs fastened to them, threw their blazers over their shoulders and set oft down Fallaway Hill.

Timmy followed, but he didn’t bound about as usual. He went slowly and carefully. George looked round for him, and frowned.

“What is the matter with Timmy?” she said. “Look at him! Not a jump or a scamper in him!”

They all stopped and watched him. He came towards them and they saw that he was limping slightly with his left hind leg. George dropped down beside him and felt the leg carefully.

“I think he must have twisted it - sprained it or something, when he was down that rabbit-hole,” she said. She patted him gently on the back and he winced.

“What’s the matter, Tim?” said George, and she parted the hair on his back, examining the white skin underneath to see why he had winced when she had patted him.

“He’s got an awful bruise here,” she said at last, and the others bent to see. “Something must have hurt his back down in that hole. And Anne must have hurt one of his legs when she held on to them and dragged him out. I told you not to hold on to his legs, Anne.”

“Well, how were we to get him out if I didn’t?” demanded Anne, feeling cross but rather guilty. “Did you want him to stick there for days and days?”

“I don’t think there’s much damage done,” said Julian, feeling the hind leg. “I honestly think he’s only just twisted it a bit, George. He’ll be all right after tonight, I’m sure.”

“But I must be certain,” said George. “Did you say we come to a village soon, Ju?”

“Yes - Beacons Village,” said Julian, “We can ask if there’s a vet anywhere in the district if you like. He’ll look at Timmy’s leg and tell you if there’s anything much wrong. But I don’t think there is.”

“We’ll go on to the village then,” said George. “Oh dear - the only time I ever wish Timmy was a little dog is when he’s hurt - because he’s so very very heavy to carry.”

“Well, don’t think of carrying him yet,” said Dick. ’He can walk on three legs even if he can’t on four! He’s not as bad as all that, are you, Timmy?’