Chapter Eight GEORGE'S PLAN
　　MRS. STICK had overheard the conversation on the telephone - at least, she had heard George's sideof it. She knew that George's mother was better and that her father would not return till her mothercould be brought home. That would be in about ten days! The Sticks could have a fine time till then,no doubt about that!
　　George suddenly found that her appetite had come back. She ate her bacon hungrily, and scraped thedish round with a piece of bread. She had three cups of tea, and then sat back contentedly¹.
　　"I feel better," she said. Anne slipped her hand in hers. She was very glad that her aunt was going tobe all right. If it wasn't for those awful Sticks they could have a lovely time. Then George saidsomething that made Julian cross.
　　"Well, now that I know Mother is going to be better, I can stand up to the Sticks all right by myselfwith Timmy. So I want you three to go back home and finish the hols without me. I shall be all right.""Shut up, George," said Julian. "We've argued this all out before. I've made up my mind - and I don'tchange it, any more than you do, when I've made it up. You make me cross.""Well," said George, "I told you I'd got a plan - and you don't come into it, I'm afraid - and you'll findyou'll have to go back home whether you mean to or not.""Don't be so mysterious, George!" said Julian, impatiently. "What is this strange plan? You'd bettertell us, even if we're not in it. Can't you trust us?""Yes, of course. But you might try to stop me," said George, looking sulky.
　　"Then you'd certainly better tell us," said Julian feeling uneasy. George was such a madcap once shegot ideas into her head. Goodness knows what she might do!
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　　But George wouldn't say another word. Julian gave it up at last, but secretly made up his mind not tolet George out of his sight that day. If she was going to carry out some wild plan, then she wouldhave to do it under his, Julian's, eye!
　　But George didn't seem to be carrying out any wild plan. She bathed again with the others, went for awalk with them, and went for a row on the sea. She didn't want to go to Kirrin Island, so the othersdidn't press her, thinking that she didn't want to be out of sight of the beach in case Edgar came witha message from her father.
　　It was quite a pleasant day. The children bought sausage rolls again, and fruit, and picnicked on thebeach. Timmy had a large and juicy bone from the butcher's.
　　"I've got a bit of shopping to do," said George, about tea-time. "You others go and see if Mrs.
　　Stick is getting some tea for us, and I'll fly down to the shops and get what I want."Julian

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