“Killimooin Castle has quite a different feel about it,” said Jack, with enjoyment. “The palace was big and modern and everything was up to date. Killimooin is grim and strong and wild, and I like it. There’s no hot water running in the bedrooms. I haven’t seen a bathroom yet — and our beds are more like rough couches with rugs and pillows than beds. I do like it.”
It was great fun settling down in the castle. The children could go anywhere they liked, into the kitchens, the towers, the cellars. Tooku and Yamen welcomed them anywhere and any time.
It was deliciously cool at Killimooin after the tremendous heat of the palace. The children slept well that first night, enjoying the coolness of the air that blew in at the narrow windows. It was good mountain air, clean and scented with pine.
Next morning Ranni spoke to the five children. “You have each a pony to ride, and you may ride when and where you will, if Pilescu or I are with you.”
“Why can’t we go alone?” said Paul, rather sulkily. “We shan’t come to any harm.”
“You might lose your way in the mountains,” said Ranni. “It is an easy thing to do. You must promise never to wander off without one of us.”
Nobody wanted to promise. It wasn’t nearly so much fun to go about with a grown-up, as by themselves. But Ranni was firm.
“You must promise,” he repeated. “No promise, no ponies. That is certain!”
“I suppose we must promise, then,” said Jack. “All right — I promise not to go wandering off without a nursemaid!”
“I promise too,” said Mike. The girls promised as well.