"You know, Mother," he said, "she did ask us such a lot of questions. Where we lived and what you did and whether we had anybody to help in the house, and all that sort of thing. And she was just as anxious about Peter and the reservoir... But she was nice and friendly, and it was kind of her to give us a lift. I couldn't quite see why she was so worried about the twins getting over-tired by walking up over the top again. The funny thing was that after we heard that owl hoot she was in such a hurry to get us home... But it's been a lovely day, and thank you for letting us go. We'll have to do double wood-chopping and pumping tomorrow to make up for it."

4. The Lone Pine Club

"Just think of it," said Mary, scooping out the last shred of white from her breakfast egg. "Just think, twin - we've got all today to do things in."

"Yes," said Dickie. "And when we're not acksherly doin' them we can remember what we did yesterday... and that's pretty good."

"What you've got to do first," said their mother, "is to go down to Ingles for the milk. And David must do some pumping, and we shall also want some wood. I'm going to make a rule for today, too... you're not to go too far because you all had a tiring day yesterday, and I can't have Mary going to sleep at dinner-time."

"Peter's coming with our things some time this morning," David reminded them, "so we'd better get our jobs done early."

When the tank was full again David went out to the gate. He sat on the top bar and was wondering whether it would be worth starting on his map today or if it would be more sensible to wait for a wet afternoon, when he heard voices down the lane. Then Macbeth barked, and there was a clatter of hoofs as Peter came cantering round the corner on Sally. She rode hard up to the gate, and then pulled the pony up sharply.

"Hello!" she laughed. "How did you get on, David? Was your mother cross? Father hadn't really noticed the time, and Mrs. Thurston took me as far up Hatchholt as a car will go. Wasn't she in a hurry?"

Still chattering and laughing, she slung off the haversacks and kettle, tied Sally to the gate-post, and followed David into the house.

It may have been because Peter had no mother of her own or just because Mrs. Morton loved all children, but within five minutes the two were like old friends.