"I can see that your father has told you that we've both got to go to London for a few days. Of course, we shouldn't mind leaving you here with Agnes, but unfortunately she has had some worrying news, too. I didn't know before, but she has a sister who keeps a small guest-house at a place called Clun, which is somewhere down north of Ludlow by the Welsh border. Her letter this morning was from this sister who has to go into hospital at once for an operation, and she wants Agnes to go over and look after the house for her while she is away. Poor Agnes wants to help her sister and wants to help us, too, as she always does, particularly as I told her about our visit to London before she told me her news...

"Now, I don't quite know what we are going to do, but I've promised that Daddy shall take Agnes over to Clun to-day, and I'm afraid we shall have to split you all up and close Witchend until we get back..."

"We've got a good idea," Mary said suddenly. "At least I think we have... You say it, twin."

"I was only going to ask how many live in this guest-house at that place with a funny name. I mean, how many are living there now" Dickie said.

Mary laughed. "Of course! We get all the ideas. We'll all go and live with Agnes and help to cheer her up," and before anyone could stop her she ran into the house.

Mr Morton looked across at his wife and shrugged his shoulders, but before he could speak his daughter re-appeared dragging Agnes by the hand.

"How would I know, my pet?" the latter was saying. "But it's just like your darling kind heart to think of old Agnes and want to come and keep her company... But just let me look at the letter again..."

"Don't take any notice of Mary, Agnes," Mrs Morton said. "You ought to know by now that they both say the craziest things. Of course, you mustn't think of the children coming to Clun with you."

But Agnes was not even listening. Her glasses were crooked on her nose as she turned the pages of her letter.

"There now!" she said triumphantly, raising her head and smiling round at all the tense faces. "The child was right after all, for here it is in black and white. My sister says that there is nobody else in the house now, but she won't be lying easy in hospital if the place be closed up..."

Agnes turned to Mrs Morton.

"I'd be right glad and happy to have them all with me, for there's other help in the house she says, and this maybe will solve all your worries while you're away."

Mary, with shining eyes, swung round to face Peter.