Chapter 9 COUSIN JEFF
'I like dogs,' said Jeff, and patted Timmy on the head. 'This is a fine one - as smart as can be, too, isn'the?'
George nodded, pleased. She loved anyone to praise Timmy. 'Yes, he's very clever. He's been inheaps of adventures with us. He can be very fierce if he thinks anyone is going to attack us. Oh, look- he wants to shake hands again! Isn't he funny?'
Jeff shook paws once more and then Timmy settled down beside him, almost as if he considered 35himself to be his dog. George didn't mind. She liked Cousin Jeff as much as Timmy did!
'Tell us about your job,' begged Dick. 'It's such a queer airfield¹, the one you're at - no fencing roundit, hardly any planes, nobody about the field! Do you do much flying?'
'Not much at the moment,' said Cousin Jeff. 'But don't be misled by the fact that there's no fencinground the airfield! Believe me, the commanding officer knows immediately if any stranger comes intothe district, and - er - well, let us say that extra precautions are taken.'
'Really?' said George. 'Do you mean to say, for instance, that your commanding officer knows we'vearrived?'
'You bet he does,' said Jeff, laughing. 'You've probably been given the once-over already, though youdidn't know it. I expect someone has been detailed² to find out who you are and why you're here, andyou may even have been watched for a few hours - though you had no idea of it.'
This was rather a creepy thought. Watched? How? By whom? And where did they hide to watch?
Dick asked Jeff these questions, but the young airman shook his head.
'Sorry. Can't answer,' he said. 'But you needn't worry, you're all right. May be my aunt here has said afew words about you - you never know!'
Mrs. Thomas smiled, but said nothing. She beckoned³ to Anne and George to help her to bring in thetea - just as good a one as they had had before. The girls bustled⁴ about, setting out cups and saucers,while the boys talked to Cousin Jeff and asked him eager questions about planes and flying and howthis was done and that.
'I suppose you wouldn't take us up some time, Cousin Jeff, would you?' asked Toby at last.
'I don't think I'd be allowed to,' said Jeff. 'In fact I don't think I can even ask. You see, the planes thereare pretty special - you can't go joy-riding in them and...'
'Of course we see,' said Julian hurriedly, afraid of embarrassing the friendly young airman. 'Wewouldn't dream of bothering you. When are you going up next? Can we watch you from ourcamping-place?'

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