"These are our friends from America," Dickie explained. "This one is Jerry, and this one is Jake, and this one... what's your name, pard?" he hissed to the stranger... "this one is Larry, and I think, chaps... I think he's a cowboy."

Then followed a wonderful half-hour, for their new friends had brought plenty of exciting food for the feast, and a concertina. Larry really was a cowboy, and when Tom found him a rope he did the most amazing tricks with a lasso. Jake was the artist with the concertina, and while Peter was busy at the stove he sat on the stairs just above her and sang her songs from Dixie and Alabama. Then Aunt Carol brought the news that the geese would be ready in ten minutes, and would Peter and Jenny help her dish up while the others sat down and kept out of the way?

Fortunately, the lorry had brought plenty of drinks, including a dozen bottles of Coca Cola, and these kept Dickie busy, while David arranged the positions at table. He put Uncle Micah at the top, with Charles on his right and Peter on his left. Mary was next to Charles, and, of course, Dickie next his twin, then Larry and Jake. At the opposite side of the table David didn't see why he shouldn't be next to Peter, and then came Jenny, Tom and Jerry. Mrs. Sterling was to be at the other end opposite her husband.

"Table's too long really," David said. "But it's all we could get. We want some more people to fill it... Has anyone seen Uncle Micah, by the way?"

But only Charles answered. "I have. He'll be along soon, I guess, but if he's not here when the food comes - and here it is - I'll carve."

Flushed but triumphant, Aunt Carol then entered with the sizzling dishes while the girls followed with trays of vegetables. Another violent storm had come up, so Dickie had to close the doors as soon as they were in.

Jenny looked up proudly at the coloured lanterns glowing over their heads.

"More like Christmas," she said. "Golly! doesn't that goose smell lovely?" She turned to Tom. "D'you know," she whispered, "that I used to be scared of this place and old Uncle Micah, but I'm not now. I wonder where he is?"

Mary was leaning across her twin to ask Larry what he did with the wild cows when he caught them, when Jake drawled:

"Say, folks, who's the stranger?"

Standing just over the threshold with the doors half closed behind him was a tall man in an old-fashioned dark suit. He stood awkwardly and a little shyly fingering his chin. His eyes were dark and piercing and reminded David of somebody.