Chapter 4 JUNIOR!
A big man came into the kitchen, very like the twins to look at. He stooped, and seemed tired. Hedidn't smile, but just nodded.
'Trevor, here are the visitors I told you about,' said Mrs. Philpot. 'Look, this is Julian and...'
'More visitors?' said Trevor, with a groan¹. 'Good heavens - what a crowd of children! Where's thatAmerican boy? I've got a bone to pick with him. He tried to set the tractor going by himself thismorning, and...'
'Oh Trevor - never mind about that now. Just wash and come and have your tea,' said Mrs.
Philpot. 'I've kept some of your favourite scones² for you.'
'Don't want any tea,' said her husband. 'Can't stop - except for just one cup, and that I'll take into thedairy. I've got to go and see to the milking. Bob's off today.'
'We'll help, Dad!' said the twins, speaking together, as usual, and they got up from the table at once.
'No - you sit down,' said their mother. 'You've been on the go from seven o'clock this morning.
Sit down and finish your tea in peace.'
'I could do with your help, twins,' said their father, as he went through the door towards the dairies,'but now your mother's got so many on her hands, she'll need you more than I do!'
'Mrs. Philpot - let the twins go if they want to,' said Julian at once. 'We can help, you know -we're used to helping³ at home.'
'And what's more, we like it,' said Anne. 'Do let us, Mrs. Philpot - we'll feel much more at home then.
Can't we clear away and wash up and all that, while the twins go and help with the milking?'
'YOU LET 'EM HELP!' shouted old Great-Grand-dad suddenly from his corner, making Timmy andSnippet leap to their feet, startled. 'WHAT ARE CHILDREN COMING TO NOWADAYS,WAITED ON HAND AND FOOT? PAH!'
'Now, now, Grand-dad,' said poor Mrs. Philpot, 'Don't you start worrying. We can manage fine.'
The old man made a loud, explosive noise, and banged his hand down on the arm of his chair.
'WHAT I SAY IS THIS...'
15
But he got no further, for the sound of footsteps could be heard in the hall, coming towards thekitchen, and loud, American voices came nearer and nearer.
'See here, Pop - I wanna come with you! This is a dead-and-alive place. You take me up to Londonwith you, aw, Pop, go on, do!'
'That the Americans?' asked Dick, turning to the twins. Their faces had gone as black as thunder.
They nodded. In came a burly man, looking rather odd in smart town clothes, and a fat pasty-facedboy of about eleven. The father stood at the door and looked round, rubbing his hands.

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