"Do you mean the high bank that keeps the sea back?" Jon said.

"I mean the bank wot's meant to keep the sea back," Vasson said gravely. " 'Tis nobody's business to see to it seemingly, and if once it goes - and go she might in weather like this with the tide at the full - there's nothing to save thousands of acres of best grazing in the country and nothing to stop the sea coming up here again."

"But has the big bank ever broken there?" Jon asked.

"Once. But tide was on turn and some chaps were ready to fill up the gap and not much harm done - but there'll be plenty watching there afore long. I be going myself later if missus 'ull give me leave. Some of us are allus on call for this trouble."

"Could we come with you?" David asked. "Could we? We'd be jolly useful."

Vasson shook his head. "I would'na risk takin' you."

Jon found his mother in her sitting-room.

"Hello," she said. "Have you had a good time, and did they get their game in before the gale?"

Jon answered her questions then asked where Penny was.

"Penny? Didn't I tell you? She's gone to Hastings in the car with the twins and Mr. Grandon."

"Mr. Grandon?" Jon nearly shouted.

"Yes. And why not? I thought it was rather decent of him. I'm not sure whether I was right to let those twins go, too, but they wanted to go and I didn't think Mrs. Morton would mind. It seemed a shame for them to miss the fun."

"Fun?" Jon gasped as he sat down on the nearest chair. "What fun? Why have they gone?"

"Don't be stupid, Jon. I keep telling you. Mr. Grandon had to go in on business today, and as Penny was mooching about all over the house after you'd gone and looking particularly gloomy, he asked me whether he could take her and the twins with him. I thought she was a bit stupid about it at first, but the twins were very keen and as Penny said she'd promised Mrs. Morton to keep an eye on them, she went off cheerfully enough in the end. And that reminds me that she was very anxious for me to tell you where they'd gone for some reason or other... Now are you satisfied? Why are you looking so worried, Jon? They can't come to any harm, and anyway they'll be home at any minute, I should think. They were having lunch in the town and said they would be back for tea... Now where are you going?"

"Only to find David," Jon said as he made for the door. "I'll be back soon, Mother... Don't worry. I'm not worried. Only surprised!"

David looked up eagerly from his chair by the wood fire in the lounge, but before he could speak Jon had told him the news.