Chapter 7 Mr. ANDREWS COMES HOME
　　They all sat down to dinner. There was a big meat-pie, a cold ham, salad, potatoes in theirjackets, and homemade pickles¹. It really was difficult to know what to choose.
　　'Have some of both,' said Mrs. Andrews, cutting the meat-pie. 'Begin with the pie and go on withthe ham. That's the best of living on a farm, you know - you do get plenty to eat.'
　　After the first course there were plums and thick cream, or jam tarts² and the same cream.
　　Everyone tucked in hungrily.
　　'I've never had such a lovely dinner in my life,' said Anne, at last. 'I wish I could eat some morebut I can't. It was super, Mrs. Andrews.'
　　'Smashing,' said Dick. That was his favourite word these holidays. 'Absolutely smashing.'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, agreeing. He had had a fine plateful of meaty bones, biscuits and gravy³, andhe had licked up every crumb⁴ and every drop. Now he felt he would like to have a snooze in thesun and not do a thing for the rest of the day.
　　The children felt rather like that, too. Mrs. Andrews handed them a chocolate each and sent themout of doors. 'You go and have a rest now,' she said. 'Talk to Jock. He doesn't get enoughcompany of his own age in the holidays. You can stay on to tea, if you like.'
　　'Oh, thanks,' said everyone, although they all felt that they wouldn't even be able to manage abiscuit. But it was so pleasant at the farm that they felt they would like to stay as long as theycould.
　　'May we borrow one of Biddy's puppies to have with us?' asked Anne.
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　　'If Biddy doesn't mind,' said Mrs. Andrews, beginning to clear away. 'And if Timmy doesn't eat itup!'
　　'Timmy wouldn't dream of it!' said George at once. 'You go and get the puppy, Anne. We'll finda nice place in the sun.'
　　Anne went off to get the puppy. Biddy didn't seem to mind a bit. Anne cuddled the fat little thingagainst her, and went off to the others, feeling very happy. The boys had found a fine placeagainst a haystack, and sat leaning against it, the sun shining down warmly on them.
　　'Those men of yours seem to take a jolly good lunch-hour off,' said Julian, not seeing any ofthem about.
　　Jock gave a snort. 'They're bone lazy. I'd sack the lot if I were my stepfather. Mum's told himhow badly the men work, but he doesn't say a word to them. I've given up bothering. I don't paytheir wages - if I did, I'd sack the whole lot!'

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