So David rummaged about upstairs in drawers and trunks, and had to call on Agnes to help him before the swimming suits could be found.

"Take care of yourselves and I'll be down to Ingles to relieve your mother just as soon as I've tidied up a bit," said Agnes.

By the time he had put his bicycle away and rolled the costumes up in some towels, Peter was back.

"They're not there, David, but I think they've been there. The camp looks as if they've rampaged all over the place... You've found the bathing things? That's fine. Now we must hurry because Dad will be cross if we're late, and I've got some tins of things here."

She showed him a short cut across the side of the hill to the track that led to Dark Hollow, so that they did not have to pass Ingles again. When they reached the lane at the foot of the valley Peter turned right instead of going through the gate and up by the side of the stream as David had done on the day they had first met. Here she suggested that David should have his first riding lesson.

"Don't look so unhappy. And don't be so stiff and uncomfortable," she laughed at him as she led Sally into a trot. This was terrible! He was bouncing up and down in a maddening, uncontrolled, and rather painful manner. But somehow he stuck on and after a little while began to have some conception of what was expected of him, and when his teacher told him that he had had enough for his first lesson he was almost sorry to dismount. Peter said, "Now we're coming to Hatchholt valley. As soon as we get right into the valley the path follows the pipeline up to the reservoir, and you can't go wrong. Look! Here we are, and there are the four pipes leading up to home."

David was out of breath with the climb when, after three more sharp turns, they could see the little house perched on the hill-side far above them. The sides of the valley were still very steep, and Peter pointed out the hill-top and track which they had come down on the day they had first met.

This time Mr. Sterling was waiting for them. He was leaning on his neat little white gate with a neat cap straight on his head and his pipe in his mouth. He kissed Peter and shook hands solemnly with David. Then he took his glasses off, polished them, put them on again, and looked carefully at the two children.

"You're very welcome," he said deliberately. "Friends are always welcome at Hatchholt if they're tidy about the place. Very welcome."

Mr. Sterling was a little put out that the others had not come with them as he had cooked enough potatoes for five.