Five Have a Wonderful Time (19 page)

"But they didn't put up any fight at all," she said, rather disappointed. "I think Beauty scared all the fight out of them last night — they just gave in without a word."

"Now you children!" called Mrs. Alfredo, "I have kept a little breakfast for you. You like to come?"

They did like to come! Jo went too, though she had already had one breakfast. Uncle Quentin went to sit down with them. He gazed around amazed at all the goings-on of the camp.

Bufflo was doing some remarkable rope-spinning and whip-

cracking. The rubber-man was wriggling in and out of the wheel-

spokes of his caravan without stopping. Mr. Slither was polishing his snakes. Dacca was stepdancing on a board, click-click-clickity-click.

Alfredo came up with his buttonhook-like torches, and his

metal bowl. "I give you a treat," he announced to Uncle Quentin.

"You would like to see me fire-eat?"

Uncle Quentin stared at him as if he thought he had gone

raving mad.

"He's a fire-eater, Uncle," explained Dick.

"Oh. No thank you, my good man. I would rather not see you

eat fire," said Uncle Quentin, politely but very firmly. Alfredo was most disappointed. He had meant to give this man a real treat to make up for locking him into the caravan! He went away

sadly, and Mrs. Alfredo screamed after him.

"You foolish man. Who wants to see you fire-eat? You have

no brains. You are a big, silly bad man. You keep away with your fire-eating!" She disappeared into her caravan, and Uncle Quentin looked after her, astonished at her sudden outburst.

"This is really a very extraordinary place," he said. "And
most
extraordinary people. I'm going back home today, George. Wouldn't you all like to come with me? I don't really feel it's the right thing for you to get mixed up in so many queer doings."

"Oh
no
, Father," said George, in horror. "Go home when we've only just settled in! Of
course
not. None of us want to leave — do we Julian?" she said, looking round beseechingly at him.

Julian answered at once. "George is right, Uncle. We're just beginning to enjoy ourselves here. I think we're
all
agreed on that?"

"We are," said everyone, and Timmy thumped his tail hard and gave a very loud "WOOF."

"Very well," said Uncle Quentin, getting up. "I must go, I suppose. I'll catch the bus down to the station.

Come down with me."

They went to see him off on the bus. It came up well on time and he got in.

"Good-bye," he said. "What message shall I give your mother, George? She'll expect to hear something from the five of you."

"Well," shouted everyone, as the bus rumbled off, "well -just tell her the FIVE ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME! Good-bye, Uncle Quentin, good-bye!"