"Luke! Luke! Where have you got to? Didn't I tell you to clear away that rubbish? Drat the boy, he's no use at all."
Luke raised startled blue eyes to Any, and put his hoe over his shoulder. He looked scared.
"That's him," he said in a whisper. "That's Mr. Tupping. I'll be going now. You come on over tomorrow."
He went up the path. Larry slipped back to the others. "He's the garden boy," he said. "His name's Luke. He looks nice, but a bit simple. I shouldn't think he could say boo to a goose."
Bets felt certain she couldn't either, because geese were big and hissy. "Are we to see the cats tomorrow?" she asked. "I heard you saying something about them."
"Yes. Tomorrow afternoon, when Mr. Tupping the gardener is out," said Larry. "We'll hop over the wall. Better not take old Buster though — you know what he is with cats!"
Buster growled when he heard the word. Cats! What did the children want to go and see cats for? Silly useless animals, with paws full of nasty pins and needles! Cats were only good for one thing, and that was — to chase!
Horrid Mr. Tupping!
The next afternoon Larry went to the wall and whistled for Luke.
The boy came along after a while, smiling and showing his white teeth. "It's safe to come," he said. "Mr. Tupping is out"