David stopped and nodded. He liked these friendly people who seemed to know everything about them.

"Caught any rabbits yet?" the man went on with a twinkle. "Just let me know when your ma wants some, and I kin oblige," and he swung the keen, long-handled sickle across the top of the hedge, leaving it clean and level as a table-top.

At the station all was quiet. David was used to active and busy railway stations, and to the London termini, but down here time seemed of no account.

After a while he saw the old porter ambling towards him and David asked about the bicycles.

"Bicycles, oh?" the old man repeated, as if he'd never heard of them before. "Oh! Aye! Bicycles, to be sure... Why, yes, they've come, and a pile of other stuff besides. Must be in office, I reckon," and he led the way again into the gloom.

David was glad to have his bicycle. He looked it over carefully and untied the rags he had put round the handle-bars to protect them from scratches. The pedals spun round well and the brakes worked, so he said "Good-bye" to the porter and went onto the road. He was just wondering whether to ride through Onnybrook village towards unexplored country, when he heard the clatter of hoofs, and Peter cantered up behind him.

"Hullo!" she called. "Where were you going, David? I was coming to see you."

"So was I," he said. "I mean I was thinking of coming up to see if I could find the end of your valley... Our bikes have come."

"It's going to be hot to-day, and I wondered whether you would all come to us and we'll have a swim. We might ask Tom, too. I had to come round this way, as it's shopping day," and she pointed to the two laden saddle-bags.

David explained about Mrs. Ingles and his mother, but was sure they would be able to come, so they decided to ride up to the farm first, then go and pick up the twins.

At Ingles they found Mrs. Morton very engrossed with the kitchen range, and not much inclined to discuss any-body's plans. Mr. Ingles was back again, but had gone out to find Tom and get him to work before the doctor came, Mrs. Ingles had been carried up to bed.

David managed to do one or two odd jobs for his mother, but it was Peter who finally broached the subject.

"... And it's really a very good day for a swim, Mrs. Morton," she said. "So we'll pick up the twins on the way and look after them, and David will bring them back this evening. Father will be very disappointed if they don't come, because he's got something special for dinner."