"And you're to come, too, Peter... Of course you must... We won't go without her, will we, David? I'll come with you and ask Mr Sterling, but, of course, he'll be glad for you to go."

"It will be a real Lone Pine holiday," Dickie interrupted. "Let's ask Tom to come, too."

"And Jenny," Mary said.

"And the Warrenders from Rye," came from David quickly. "We could ask them now. Just the chance we wanted... Would there really be room for us, Agnes, do you think? You know we wouldn't be any trouble..."

"Nonsense, David," Mr Morton interrupted. "It's no use discussing it. We can't possibly saddle Agnes with the lot of you. You'll have to split up. Bad luck in the holidays, but we'll all have to make the best of it."

But Agnes had now made up her mind.

"It'll be a bit of company that I'll be needing over there in that great barn of a house, and who better than these I know and who know old Agnes... and the other two that David mentioned. Let them be asked as well, for I've no doubt there's room for all and it'll be a kindness to my sister for the house to be full after Christmas, and a great help to her with her operation and all..."

This last appeal was very cunning, and it was easy to see that Mr Morton was impressed. Meanwhile, Mary squeezed Agnes's hand and murmured, "You're wonderful, Agnes dear. We'll all come with you."

And after more discussion it was settled that if Agnes found when she got to Clun that there was room for them all, and that if she had enough help in the house, and that if her sister had no objection, then they could go. It was also agreed that Tom, Jenny and the two Warrenders could be asked to join them.

Everyone seemed happier when the decision had been made, but Peter was worried about leaving her father.

"You could telephone him daily," David reminded her.

"I know I could, but he hates the 'phone."

"I'll write to your father, Peter," said Mrs Morton, "and you can take the note when you go back this afternoon. Daddy and Agnes won't be home until dark, but why don't you all go and see Tom now and get your letters written ready for posting first thing in the morning? I shall have to write to Mrs Warrender, and, I suppose, to Jennys parents, too."

"I've got a better idea than that," David said. "As soon as Dad gets back and we know it's all right for us to go we'll go down to Onnybrook and telephone. Jenny Harman's shop is on the 'phone, and I've got the number of the Gay Dolphin in Rye..."

Mrs Morton disappeared into the house to start her letters and the twins turned on David and Peter.