"Do come!" pleaded Freda. "If we can, we'll put some food inside, because you'll be wanting some supper."
"Well," said the old man slowly, "it wants turnin' over in my mind, so it do! I may step up to-night and I mayn't!"
"Oh, do promise us you will! It's no good getting your bed ready if you don't."
"Who be livin' at your house? Is the master at home?"
"Dad used to be the master, but he is dead, and Nurse says Bertie is the master now, and he's written a paper to say we can do it. Mums and Nurse and us and all the servants live there."
There was silence, then the old man looked up at them, and his small eyes twinkled.
"You go 'long with you, and put some drink as well as mate in that there bedroom, and old John Cubbs will thank 'ee kindly."
"Then you'll be there to-night?" asked Freda breathlessly.
"Ay, I reckon I may."
The children got back to the tree and climbed down.