"I am really sorry that we shall not be able to spend the holidays together this year, as we have often done so delightfully in the past, but I feel that I am only doing what is right. It is so important in these terrible times that everybody should practise the strictest economy in food; and every one must do what he (or she) can for our dear country; and I have every hope that by going about the villages in my caravan, as I told you in my last, and delivering simple lectures on the greens and other public places, I may persuade the dear people, especially the mothers, that it is not really necessary to health to have both bacon and eggs for breakfast every morning. If you were a little older and more experienced I am sure that you would be able and willing to give me very great assistance; but after your arduous labours at school I feel you need complete rest from brain work, and you will get that nowhere so well as with dear Mr. and Mrs. Trenchard. To make up for your disappointment in being deprived of our usual simple pleasures I send you a little pocket-money, which I am sure you will spend wisely. I hope and believe that you will not indulge in luxuries; we all of us owe it to our King and country to eat as little as we can. You will find that barley water and onions fried in margarine make an excellent light breakfast; will you tell Mrs. Trenchard that, with my love? In the course of my tour I hope to reach Polstead before your holidays come to an end. I will give you good notice, and rely on you to ensure me a large audience.
"Your affectionate aunt,
"CAROLINE TEMPLETON."
"Excellent Aunt Caroline!" exclaimed Eves. "But your 'arduous work,' Bobby. My hat!"
"I work jolly hard."
"The labour we delight in don't show on our reports, old man. Anyway, you've got a tenner. Better an aunt in England than a pater in India. The old boy's all right, of course; I don't blame him, but that old mummy of a solicitor who manages things here. He'll pay Mother Trenchard's weekly bills on the nail, but he won't send me another penny till next quarter day; theory is, teach me economy, as if any man could come through the summer term with a pocketful of money! The wonder is I've got fivepence halfpenny plus seven bob."
"Well, Aunt Caroline's tenner will go a long——"
"Will go along too fast," Eves interrupted. "What will you try first?"
"You see, I've got such loads of ideas. Better start with something useful and patriotic. The hair-cutter can wait."
"That's rather a pity. Young Noakes's flaxen locks are as long and twice as oily as Barker's. Still, his father might cut up rough; he'd certainly charge you for the hair-oil you'd wasted. Noakes gets my bristles up, and Trenchard looks very blue when he calls. Wonder what he comes for; we've only been here three days, and he's called twice at tea-time, and eaten enormously. Any one could see the Trenchards didn't want him; asked him to stay out of politeness, I suppose."