Mrs. Sterling liked him for the way he spoke, and explained that they were welcome, but that they were short of beds. She hinted that other arrangements were being planned and that he would hear more later. Suddenly there came from upstairs two heavy bumps and a series of blood-curdling yells.

David pretended to look surprised, then: "I was afraid so, Mrs. Sterling. I believe they're Indians this morning. I should think Peter is a victim. If you'll excuse me I'll go and bang their heads together."

"Yes, do, David, and please hurry. I want breakfast over before Mr. Sterling comes in."

David dashed up the stairs and was just in time to see Dickie come hurtling backwards out of Peter's bedroom.

He was clasping a pillow, and as he slipped and fell, Mary followed and tried to help him up. Then Peter's door slammed and David heard the key turn.

"She's a cad!" gasped Dickie. "She winded me. Right in the tummy she threw it. We were only wakin' her up! That's all."

David grinned. "She was too much for you that time. Serves you both right. Now get dressed and don't make nuisances of yourselves." Then at Peter's door he called: "Buck up, Peter. Your aunt wants you, and we're to have breakfast before Mr. Sterling appears. We're all starving and have been up for hours."

"Have those little beasts gone? They poured water out of the tooth-glass down my neck while I was asleep... All right, David, I shan't be a tick. I expect you'll find Henry and Humphrey out in the yard. You'll like them."

So David went outside and said "Hello" to the farmhands who seemed deeply shocked at the sight of another visitor. But surprise turned to alarm when the twins and Macbeth bounced out a few minutes later.

"Look at 'em, Henery. Look at 'em and tell me if you see what I see," Humphrey whispered.

"As like as two peas..." replied his awestruck mate.

"In a pod and all..." finished Dickie brightly.

"My name is Mary Morton, and this is my brother Dickie," began Mary in the usual strain, and David, who had witnessed the performance many times, turned away in disgust. He gave Henry and Humphrey about five minutes before they surrendered.

Back in the kitchen Peter was now helping her aunt. Bacon was sizzling in the pan and the fire was blazing merrily.

"Did you find them, David? They're fun, aren't they? Cut some bread, will you?"

A call of "Breakfast ready" brought Dickie in at a run. Mary followed more slowly, and although Peter had laid a place for David between the twins, she sidled quickly in next to Dickie and said dreamily:

"You saw the nice fat one, David? Well, I've asked him to come and stay with us at Witchend."

Dickie's knife clattered onto his plate, but he quickly recovered himself.

"That's right," he said. "He's nice. We love him very much."