“Hurrah!” cried Peggy. “We can have eggs for breakfast, dinner, and tea!”
“What else have you brought?” asked Mike.
“Corn for the hens,” said Jack. “And packets of seeds of all kinds from the shed. And some tins of milk. And a loaf of bread, rather stale. And lots more vegetables!”
“And here are some cherries,” said Nora, pulling out handfuls of red cherries from the boat. “Did you pick these, Jack?”
“Yes,” said Jack. “They are from the tree in our garden. It’s full of them now.”
“Did. you see your grandfather?” asked Mike.
“Yes,” grinned Jack, “but he didn’t see me! He’s going away - to live with my aunt. The farm is to be shut up, and someone is to feed the animals until it’s sold. So I think I shall try and get my own cow somehow, and make her swim across the lake to the island!”
“Don’t be silly, Jack,” said Peggy. “You could never do that!”
“You don’t know what I can do!” said Jack. “Well, listen - I heard my Granddad talking to two friends of his, and everyone is wondering where we’ve all gone! They’ve searched everywhere for us - in all the nearby towns and villages, and in all the country round about!”
“Oooh!” said the three children, feeling rather frightened. “Do you suppose they’ll come here?”