Peggy and Nora felt happier. They were to escape after all, then! They washed up a few more things and then saw their aunt going upstairs.
“She has gone to look out Uncle’s Sunday suit and shirt,” whispered Nora. “Quick! Now’s our chance. We can slip out of the back door.”
Peggy ran to the cupboard under the dresser and took out a long bar of soap. “We forgot all about soap!” she said. “We shall want some! I just remembered in time!”
Nora looked round for something to take, too. She saw a great slab of margarine on the dresser, and she caught it up.
“This will help us in our frying!” she said. “Come on, Peggy - we’ve no time to lose.”
They raced out of the back door, down the path, and out into the fields. In five minutes’ time they were by the hollow tree, well out of sight. Jack was not yet there. They did not know how long Mike would be. He would not find it so easy to get away!
But Mike had laid his plans. He waited for the moment when his aunt discovered that the girls had gone, and then walked into the kitchen.
“What’s the matter, Aunt Harriet?” he asked, pretending to be very much surprised at her angry face and voice.
“Where have those two girls gone?” cried his aunt.
“I expect they have only gone to get in the clothes or something,” said Mike. “Shall I go and find them for you?”