excitedly.
“Hallo, hallo!” cried Barney, and hugged both Diana and Roger. “Sorry to be so long coming—we were right away in Scotland! Heard the news on the radio last night, of course, and telephoned to your mother at Hillsley. How are you?”
“Oh, Barney, it’s so lovely to have you,” said Diana. “We simply didn’t know what to do when Mummy had to go off and leave us. Is that your father getting out of the car now?”
“Yes. We can leave everything to him,” said Barney, very happy to be with his friends again. “Every single thing! He’s got a marvellous plan. Hallo, Miss Pepper! Isn’t this a surprise?”
“It certainly is,” said Miss Pepper. “Ah, here’s your father! Good evening—it is good of you to come to us like this!”
“We’ll soon fix up some plans,” said Barney’s father, shaking hands. “Sorry about this trouble. Let’s go into that fine caravan of yours and talk.”
And in they all went, Miranda the monkey too, chattering loudly, leaping from one shoulder to another and making Roger and Diana laugh in glee. Good old Barney—dear little Miranda—it really was wonderful to see them again!
CHAPTER FOUR
A WONDERFUL IDEA
It seemed quite a crowd in the little caravan. Miss Pepper lighted the safety-lamp, and they all looked at one another, blinking. Barney’s brilliant blue eyes shone as he looked round at everyone. He was as brown as a berry, as usual, and his grin just as wide as ever!
His father spoke to Miss Pepper. “We rang up again to-night to see how Mrs. Lynton’s sister was, and she is just a little better—and will certainly recover well now—but it will take time.”
“Thank goodness it’s better news,” said Miss Pepper. “It was such a terrible shock last night. I am so glad to see you, Mr. Martin—I really was worried about what to do for the best.”
“Well, don’t worry any more,” said Mr. Martin. “What I propose is that I should hitch my car on to your caravan and... ”
“And take us home?” said Roger. “But our house is shut up, Mr. Martin!”
“Yes, I know that,” said Barney’s father. “And I know too that it must be a great disappointment to you, to have your three weeks’ holiday broken up—so I think that if you all joined Barney—or let him join you, which ever way you like to put it—that would solve your difficulties.”
“You mean—we could have your car to drive the caravan about?” asked Miss Pepper. “Oh dear—if you mean me to drive it, Mr. Martin, I’m afraid I couldn’t. It’s so big, and... ”
“No, no—I didn’t mean that,” said Mr. Martin. “I’ll explain. Barney and I are on a week’s holiday—and it is almost up, because I have to get back. What I propose is that I hitch up to your caravan, and we go off to-morrow and find some really nice place for you all to stay in—somewhere near a little inn, perhaps, so that you and Diana can sleep indoors there, and the two boys can sleep in the caravan, and... ”
“Oh! What a wonderful idea!” said Diana, her eyes shining. “Some place by the sea, perhaps?”
“We’ll see,” said Mr. Martin, smiling at her excited face. “If we can find a good spot to-morrow, I’ll leave you all there, with the caravan, and drive back home. Miss Pepper will keep an eye on you, I know! When the time comes for you to leave, I’ll drive up and fetch the caravan. What do you think of that?”
“Oh—too good to be true!” said Roger. “I honestly thought we’d have to go home and look after ourselves in an empty house! It’s awfully good of you, sir—and, of course, solves all our problems—except one!”
“And what problem’s that?” asked Mr. Martin.
“Well—about Snubby,” said Roger.
“What’s going to happen to him?”
“Can’t he come with us?” said Diana, eagerly. “There’s room in the caravan for three—or he could sleep in whatever inn or hotel Miss Pepper and I go to.”
“Dear me—I’d forgotten about Snubby!” said Mr. Martin. “Of course he can come too. He was staying with the aunt who’s ill, wasn’t he, poor fellow. We’ll telephone your mother and tell her to send him up to us, when we’ve decided where you’re going to stay.”
Diana heaved a great sigh. “I was so worried about everything,” she said. “And now all the troubles are smoothed out. Thank you very very much, Mr. Martin. And to think we’ll have Barney and Miranda with us too! Miranda, do you hear that? You’re coming on holiday with us now!”
Miranda heard her name, and chattered in delight. She leapt to Diana’s shoulder and pulled her hair gently, pretending to whisper into her ear.
“You dear, funny little thing,” said Diana, fondling her. “Fancy having you with us too—what a treat!”
“Can I offer you some cocoa—or some orangeade?” asked Miss Pepper. “I’m afraid there’s nothing very exciting to give you for supper.”
“Oh, I nearly forgot!” said Barney, getting up. “We’ve got a whole lot of stuff in the car. We didn’t stop to have meals at hotels to-day, we just bought bread and ham and fruit and tomatoes, and ate them as we drove along. We so badly wanted to get here as soon as possible. I’ll go and bring some of it in.”
“How lovely!” said Diana. “I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel frightfully hungry.”
“It’s because your worries are gone, dear!” said Miss Pepper. “I feel a bit hungry myself too! It is truly good of you, Mr. Martin, to come to our aid like this.”
“Ah well—you’ve been kind to Barney many a time,” said Mr. Martin. “Hey, what’s that monkey doing?”
“Oh—she’s got my sponge!” said Diana, with a delighted giggle. “Miranda, give it to me! Oh look, she’s washing her face with it, just as she’s seen me do at times. Miranda, that’s my sponge!”
“Now she’s put it into her mouth!” said Miss Pepper. “Oh, the naughty little thing! Surely she’s not thinking of eating it, Diana!”
Barney deftly removed the sponge, and scolded the little monkey, who at once covered her face with her arms, and sat in a corner giving little moans.
“Don’t pretend like that!” said Barney, going out of the caravan. “You’re not a bit sorry. I’ll be back in half a jiffy, everyone. See Miranda doesn’t get your soap, Di!”
Barney was soon back with paper bags and tins. Then they all settled down to a first-rate supper of ham, tomatoes, cheese, ripe plums and orangeade.
“What are you going to do to-night—about sleeping, I mean,” said Miss Pepper to Mr. Martin. “It’s such a lovely night, I expect the children will sleep out of doors again, on the heather, with a rug around them. But you won’t want to do that, Mr. Martin.”
“No. I’d rather
