Chapter 2 OFF TO MAGGA GLEN
Everything was soon settled. Old Mrs. Jones, whose voice came remarkably¹ clearly over the long-distance call, seemed delighted to take the four children.
'Yes, Mam. I understand. Oh, their coughs won't last a day here, don't you be fretting², Mam. Andhow's my nephew, Ifor Jenkins, Mam? It's hoping I am that he's still pleasing you. A wild boy hewas, and...'
'Mother! Tell her we're bringing a dog, too,' said Julian, in his mother's ear. George had been makingwild gestures to him, pointing first to Timmy, then to the telephone, where her aunt stood patientlylistening to old Mrs. Jones' gossipy talk.
'Oh - er - Mrs. Jones - there'll be a dog, too!' said her aunt. 'What - you've seven dogs already?
Good gracious! Oh, for the sheep, of course...'
'Seven dogs, Timmy!' said George, in a low voice to Tim, who wagged his tail at once. 'What do youthink of that? Seven! You'll have the time of your life!'
'Sh!' said Julian, seeing his mother glance crossly at George. He felt thankful that this unexpectedholiday had been so quickly fixed³ up. Like the others, he was beginning to feel very down and dull. Itwould be wonderful to go away. He wondered where their skis were...
6Everyone looked brighter when things had been settled. No school for some time! No lounging aboutthe house wishing something would happen! Timmy would be able to go for long walks at last. Theywould be on their own again, too, a thing the Five loved.
Jenkins was very helpful in looking out toboggans and skis. He brought them all into the house to beexamined and cleaned. Something exciting to do at last! Their exertions⁴ made them all cough badly,but they didn't mind so much now.
'Only two days to wait - then we're off!' said Dick. 'Ought we to take our skates, do you think?'
'No. Jenkins says there's no skating round about the farm,' said George. 'I asked him. I say - look atthat mound⁵ of woollen clothes your mother's just brought in, Ju! We might be going to the NorthPole!'
'Whew, Mother! If we wear all those, we'll never be able to ski!' said Julian. 'Gosh, look - six scarves!
Even if Timmy wears one, that's one too many.'
'One or two may get wet,' said his mother. 'It won't matter how many clothes you take - you're goingby car, and we can easily get everything in.'

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