Chapter 5 TINKER'S LIGHT-HOUSE
Mrs. Kirrin thought that she might as well go immediately to the study, and see if her husband andProfessor Hayling could talk about the children going away to this light-house of Tinker's.
Could it really be true? She knocked discreetly¹ at the closed door.
She could hear voices inside the room, but nobody called 'Come in!' She knocked again.
'What is it now!' shouted Mr. Kirrin. 'If it's you, George, go away and keep away. And if it's Tinker,tell him to go to the garage and park himself there. I suppose it's he who has been making all that rowthis morning!'
Mrs. Kirrin smiled to herself. Well, well - if all scientists were like her husband and ProfessorHayling, it was a wonder they were ever calm enough to get any work done!
She went away. Perhaps she could bring up the subject of the light-house at dinner-time. What arelief it would be to have a peaceful house for a few days!
She went into the kitchen to find Joanna. The monkey was there, helping² her! He had slipped awayfrom Tinker and gone to see if there were any tit-bits about. Joanna was talking away to him as sherolled out pastry³.
'See, I roll it like this - and like that - and I pick off a tiny bit for you!' And she gave Mischief⁴ asnippet for himself. He was very pleased, and leapt on Joanna's shoulder. He lifted a piece of her hairand whispered in her ear. Joanna pretended to understand.
'Yes, Mischief, If you're good I'll give you another tit-bit in a minute. Now get off my shoulder, andstop whispering. It tickles⁵!'
'Well, Joanna - I never thought to see you rolling pastry with a monkey on your shoulder!' said Mrs.
Kirrin. 'Joanna, what do you think about this light-house idea? I haven't been able to get 18into the study yet! Mr. Kirrin thought I was Tinker, and told me to go and park myself in the garage!'
'And a very good idea too,' said Joanna, rolling her pastry vigorously. 'Isn't that Tinker out in the hallnow - sounds like a car of some sort! Well, ma'am, I'd say that if the light-house is habitable, whyshouldn't the Five go there, with Tinker and the monkey? They'd enjoy themselves all right, andTimmy would look after them. Sort of thing that they love - rushing off to a light-house! Ugh! Nastylonely place, with waves crashing round and a wind fit to blow your head off!'

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