"Why not open it and see?" Mr Morton smiled, and then caught sight of his wife's face as she read the letter which had come from London. Peter noticed also and strolled over to the stream, realizing that other people's letters were no business of hers.

David soon joined her.

"Something has happened, Peter," he said glumly; "I'm sure of it... They're both looking worried."

Then the twins appeared.

"I say," Dickie began, "what do you think? Something's up... Agnes has got a letter in the kitchen and she looks as if she's crying."

"And Mum and Dad have got another one," Mary broke in, "and they just turned us out of the room when we strolled in, and they're talking like anything."

"Well, we shall soon know," David said, "because here comes Father, and he looks grim."

"Don't go away, Peter," Mr Morton called as he came over to them. "We count you one of the family, anyway... And don't look so worried, David. Nothing very desperate has happened, but it looks as if your mother and I will have to go to London for a little while... There is no getting out of it. But you mustn't let this spoil your holidays. Agnes will look after you all, but you must promise - specially you twins - to make everything as easy as you can for her... Promise, Dickie? Word of honour, Mary?"

The twins nodded.

"Are you sure something hasn't happened to Agnes, too?" Dickie asked. "She was crying when we came through the kitchen."

"I think there's a crisis," Mary said tersely.

She was right, for suddenly through the open door came the sound of loud lamentation, and then Mrs Morton's voice saying:

"Now, Agnes, please don't make such a fuss. I'm sure the news isn't as bad as it sounds, and, anyway, Mr Morton can take you over in the car to-day to see your sister, and then you can talk things over together and make your plans."

"But the little 'uns," Agnes cried. "How can I go away and leave them and you going off to Lunnon an' all just at this very time? I canna' go... and yet I must..."

Even Mr Morton was startled at this outburst, but at last Mrs Morton came out and smiled at their glum faces.

"Fetch some chairs out of the shed, David," she said, "and let's all sit in the porch and have a council of war."

"What's happened to Agnes, Mummy? That's what we want to know," Dickie said.

But not until they were all sitting round Mrs Morton did she tell them what they all wanted to know.