George glowed. She liked Julian to say she was like a boy. She didn’t want to be petty and catty and bear malice as so many girls did. But Anne looked a little indignant.

“It isn’t only boys that can learn to give in decently, and things like that,” she said. “Heaps of girls do. Well, I jolly well hope I do myself!”

“My goodness, here’s another fire-brand!” said Aunt Fanny, smiling. “Stop arguing now, all of you — here’s Kirrin Cottage. Doesn’t it look sweet with all the primroses in the garden, and the wallflowers coming out, and the daffodils peeping everywhere?”

It certainly did. The four children and Timmy tore in at the front gate, delighted to be back. They clattered into the house, and, to their great delight, found Joanna, the old cook there. She had come back to help for the holidays. She beamed at the children, and fondled Timmy when he leapt round her barking.

“Well, there now! Haven’t you all grown again? How big you are, Master Julian — taller than I am, I declare. And little Miss Anne, why, she’s getting quite big.”

That pleased Anne, of course. Julian went back to the front door to help his aunt with the small bags in the trap. The trunks were coming later. Julian and Dick took everything upstairs.

Anne joined them, eager to see her old bedroom again. Oh, how good it was to be in Kirrin Cottage once more! She looked out of the windows. One looked on to the moor at the back. The other looked sideways on to the sea. Lovely! Lovely! She began to sing a little song as she undid her bag.

“You know,” she said to Dick, when he brought George’s bag in, “you know, Dick, I’m really quite pleased that Uncle Quentin has gone to Kirrin Island, even if it means we won’t be able to go there much! I feel much freer in the house when he’s away. He’s a very clever man and he can be awfully nice — but I always feel a bit afraid of him.”

Dick laughed. “I’m not afraid of him — but he’s a bit of a wet blanket in a house, I must say, when we’re here for the holidays. Funny to think of him on Kirrin Island all alone.”

A voice came up the stairs. “Come down to tea, children, because there are hot scones for you, just out of the oven.”

“Coming, Aunt Fanny!” called Dick. “Hurry, Anne. I’m awfully hungry. Julian, did you hear Aunt Fanny calling?”

George came up the stairs to fetch Anne. She was pleased to be home, and as for Timmy, he was engaged in going round every single corner of the house, sniffing vigorously.

“He always does that!” said George. “As if he thought that there might be a chair or a table that didn’t smell quite the same as it always did. Come on, Tim. Tea-time! Mother, as Father isn’t here, can Timmy sit beside me on the floor? He’s awfully well-behaved now.”