Mary said suddenly: "I'm not going. I want to talk to Uncle Micah. I like him, and I think he wants cheering up," and she gave him the dazzling smile that was usually more than enough for most strangers.

"All right, Mary," said Dickie, "we'll stay. You two big ones can go and play somewhere, but mind you don't plan things."

And although Uncle Micah took no notice of these arrangements for his entertainment, Peter nodded briefly to David and the two rose from the table.

Outside in the sunshine Peter took a deep breath.

"Gosh, David! He's pretty awful, isn't he? Let's leave him to the twins, 'cos I've lots to tell you, and before they come out I'll tell you my secret... It isn't that I don't want them here, but you know what they are, and it will do them good to see it after we've been over it together... Come on!" and she led him over to the white-doored barn.

"Well," said David, "what's the idea? They're fine big doors, but what's inside?"

"Listen, David. I couldn't tell you properly last night because everything was a muddle, and we were all wet through and Aunt Carol thought that although we were short of beds we ought to be indoors... You don't know how thrilled I am that you're here, David. I would have been jolly lonely without you all, because although Aunt Carol is nice, I can't really find out why I've been asked here except that Uncle is a bit odd and has always wanted to see me 'cos I'm his only niece. And he is a bit peculiar, David, because he seems to wander about a lot, and although he's been quite decent he stares at me, and sometimes I don't know what to say to him. Sometimes I think he's frightened of something, and I'm sure he's unhappy. And he makes Aunt Carol unhappy, too, but she was pleased for you all to come... David, I do hope Dickie and Mary won't make him mad. If they upset him he might send you all back, and if he did that I think I'd run away with you. And that reminds me of something else..."

"Here, Peter, hold on! I don't know where I am, you talk so fast. I thought you were going to show me something about the barn. What's the matter with it?"

Peter fumbled in her shorts and produced a rolled-up handkerchief. Inside the handkerchief was a key. She unlocked the padlock and swung back the big white doors.

"There you are," she said triumphantly. "Here's my surprise for the Lone Piners! It's an indoor camp for us all, and we can live and cook and eat and sleep here. It was my idea, and except for some cleaning and clearing up which we shall have to do this morning, it's practically ready. What do you think of it, David?"

David, never demonstrative, actually squeezed her arm.