And they got in Phyllis's way rather as she tidied up; but she didn't mind, only so long as they enjoyed themselves.
Then they stood at opposite ends of the Cottage, and gave the Others contradictory orders in loud voices.
But the Others didn't hear: for they had paddled out into the back-yard to find out what it was in the boot-hole screaming and scampering so.
And of course it was mannikin, who, when he heard them, came to the crack, and whispered them to undo him, and he would tell them something secret.
So they got the key from the nail, and undid him.
Then mannikin came out into the kitchen, where he wasn't really allowed, and sat on the edge of the table, sucking his thumb.
So the Others held each other, gasping,
"My!" and asked him what the secret was.
But mannikin only swung his legs and said he'd forgotten.
Then he heard Phyllis coming and scurried back to his hole in a terrible fright, and locked himself in, and shoved the key under the door.