The others laughed. They did not know that very soon they would have to tell Dimmy their great big exciting secret!
They went boating with George the rest of the day. They caught some fish, and Dimmy said she would cook them for their supper.
“You’re a good sort, Dimmy,” said Mike, giving her a hug. “Have you any meat-bones to spare? We’d like some to-night.”
Dimmy stared in surprise. “What is all this mystery about meat at night?” she asked. “Are you keeping some stray dogs up in your bedroom or something?”
The children squealed with laughter. “No,” grinned Jack. “It’s all part of our secret, that’s all, Dimmy.”
“Well, I won’t ask any questions,” said Dimmy. “If you want secrets you can have them. There’s an old mutton-bone you may have. Get it when you want it. It’s in the larder.”
So Mike got the mutton-bone before he went to bed and put it into a bag. Jack was to carry the rope-ladder. “I think we’d better get to bed and try and have a sleep first,” said Jack, yawning. “I feel very sleepy after my night out last night, Mike. We can set our alarm clock for whatever time we like.”
“Well, I’ll set it for half-past twelve,” said Mike. “The moon will be up then, and we can see where we’re going and what we’re doing.”
So the alarm was set for half-past twelve and the four children settled into bed and went to sleep. The bell of the alarm clock rang loudly at half-past twelve and the two boys awoke. The girls heard it in their bedroom below, and slipped on their dressing-gowns ready to see the boys off.
Down the staircase went the children, Jack carrying the rope-ladder and Mike carrying the mutton-bone. The girls whispered a good-bye and went back upstairs.