Slinkin' out all quiet. Trickin' and trappin' us like he always does..."

"WHAT ARE YOU PLANNIN' OUT HERE WITH-OUT US?" demanded Dickie. "It's always like this, David, you beast."

"Seems to me," said Mary, "us, I mean. Seems to us that you don't think we're big enough to plan things. Well, WE ARE. Once and for all WE ARE, and we're jolly well going to..."

From the seat on the caravan steps, Fenella had been listening to the duet with astonishment. When there came at last a welcome pause, she put down her plate and went over to the twins, who were now scarlet in the face, and stood still looking at them. Under her steady gaze Dickie fidgeted and plucked at his twin's arm. But it was Reuben who saved the situation by picking up Macbeth's new basket and passing it to Mary.

"You have just come in time to see us off," he smiled. "Help us to pack and wish us luck when we go. See...! Here is the travelling basket we promised for the little dog and here is a gift for your mother."

And for this, Mary gave him such a smile that he looked at her twice before going into the caravan to fetch some coloured cord.

"Tie the basket on the carrier with this," he said. "Now we must go. The sun will soon be hot and you must be away as well. Travel as lightly as you can. Do not trust the mountain, and wish us well... Come, Fenella chi..."

They all helped. Mary and Fenella rinsed the dirty plates in the stream while Reuben went to fetch the pony. Miranda cleaned up quickly and stamped on the still red embers of the fire.

Then the horse was harnessed at last and the three Romany climbed up to the driving seat. The twins ran ahead to open the gate as Reuben clicked his tongue and the van turned on the grass in front of Witchend. Mrs. Morton appeared on the porch.

Reuben removed his hat courteously and Miranda called "Thank you, lovely lady," but Fenella stared straight ahead.

"Come along, David," Mrs. Morton said, "and fetch in those twins. I don't know what Agnes will say when she realizes they're not dressed properly... You're a silly chap, you know, for you've got lots to do yet..."

After breakfast the final preparations for the journey were hurried forward. The small, neat haversacks were carefully packed - pyjamas, spare shorts and shirts, washing things and toothbrushes, sandals instead of slippers, handkerchiefs (Dickie complained about the weight of these) and plenty of socks. David's pack was bigger and heavier, of course, and then the bicycle saddlebags were filled with camping odds and ends - all the things which they had learned from experience at Lone Pine were important - until all that was left was the bundle of sleeping bags and waterproofs which David had decided should be carried by Sally, Peter's pony.