"Here she is at last!" said Pip. "We thought you were never coming, Bets. What's up with you? You look bursting with something."
"Do I?" said Bets. "Fancy that! By the way, I've a message from Fatty. We're to go home at six and he will meet us somewhere."
"Who gave you that message?" said Pip, at once.
"That's my secret," said Bets annoyingly.
"Did you speak to Fatty himself?" demanded Larry. "Is he the Hoopla-man?"
"I shan't tell you," said Bets. "I'm going to keep my secret for a bit!"
And she wouldn't say another word, which annoyed the others very much. Fancy young Bets knowing something they didn't know!
At six o'clock they made their way back through the Fair, across the level-crossing, and up the lane from the river. Sitting on a bench, with her balloons, was the old Balloon-woman, waiting for them. She got up as they came.
"Balloons!" said she. "Strong balloons!"
"No thanks," said Pip, and walked on. The old woman walked with him. "Buy a balloon!" she said, "Just to help me, young sir!"