When Mrs. Sterling came downstairs early next morning her kitchen seemed full of children. In the confusion of the Lone Piners' hectic arrival the previous evening, she had not had much opportunity of getting to know the Mortons. They had arrived wet, but noisy and cheerful, and owing to the shortage of beds at Seven Gates and to the fact that the barn was not yet ready for occupation, Mary and Macbeth had slept with Peter, and David and Dickie in the black horsehair sofa in the parlour. Mrs. Sterling, rather nervous about Uncle Micah's reactions, had hurried them upstairs and into hot baths. Then they had all enjoyed a picnic supper on Peter's bed and badgered her unsuccessfully to tell them about her mystery and the big surprise.

But Mrs. Sterling did not know all this. She had rather hoped to talk to Peter about the visitors before breakfast, but when she opened the kitchen door Peter was the only one not there. David was on his knees before the fire blowing the embers into flame, while the twins sat side by side on the table swinging their pyjamaed legs and advising him. Macbeth, on the hearthrug, was watching a large tabby cat with grave suspicion, but he cocked his ears and growled as she came into the room.

The twins turned and Mary said gravely:

"Good morning. How are you this morning, Mrs. Sterling?"

Before she could answer, Dickie added:

"Thank you. We are quite well, too, but we slept badly."

David sat back on his heels and smiled.

"I always do this at home if I'm the first down, so I hope you don't mind. It'll be all right if we can just find some wood - I don't know where it is... And don't take any notice of Dickie's rudeness, Mrs. Sterling. He always sleeps and eats well, but last night he wanted all the sofa, so I put him on the outside, and he fell off several times... Now, if you'll tell us what else we can do to help, we'll get on with it."

"I don't think Seven Gates has ever had so many people to breakfast before. As you're here perhaps you'd better have yours first, before Mr. Sterling comes in from the farm. Where's Peter, by the way?"

"Asleep," said Mary. "Would you like us to go and wake her?"

"No," said David promptly. "Not both of you. Mary can go, and you get dressed, Dickie, but don't go together."

"Very well, David dear," said Mary sweetly.

And, "Excuse us," said Dickie, and they both went upstairs together, followed by Macbeth.

David looked at his hostess apologetically.

"I'm afraid there may be an awful row up there in a minute," he said. "They're going to be a nuisance today, I know... It's awfully good of you to put us up like this, Mrs. Sterling. Peter kept hinting at a secret last night, but I hope we're not in the way."