Chapter 7 RICHARD TELLS A QUEER TALE
　　Julian and George had managed to find a little farm-house tucked away in a hollow. A trio of dogs setup a terrific barking as they drew near. Timmy growled¹ and the hair rose up on his neck.
　　George put her hand on his collar.
　　'I won't go any nearer with Timmy,' she said. 'I don't want him to be set on by three dogs at once!'
　　So Julian went down to the farm-house by himself. The dogs made such a noise and looked so fiercethat he paused in the farm-yard. He was not in the least afraid of dogs, but these looked mostunpleasant, especially one big mongrel whose teeth were bared in a very threatening manner.
　　A voice called out to him. 'Clear off, you! We don't want no strangers here. When strangers come oureggs and hens go too!'
　　'Good evening,' called Julian, politely. 'We are four children camping out in the woods for the night.
　　Could you let us have any food? I'll pay well for it.'
　　There was a pause. The man pulled his head in at the window he was shouting from, and wasevidently speaking to someone inside.
　　He stuck it out again. 'I told you, we don't hold with strangers here, never did. We've only got plainbread and butter, and we can give you some hardboiled eggs and milk and a bit of ham.
　　That's all.'
　　'That'll do fine,' called Julian, cheerily. 'Just what we'd like. Shall I come and get it?'
　　'Not unless you want to be torn to pieces by them dogs,' came back the voice. 'You wait there. I'll beout when the eggs is done.'
　　'Blow,' said Julian, walking back to George. 'That means we'll have to kick our heels here for a while.
　　What an unpleasant fellow! I don't think much of his place, do you!'
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　　George agreed with him. It was ill-kept, the barn was falling to bits, rusty² bits of machinery³ lay hereand there in the thick grass. The three dogs kept up a continual barking and howling, but they did notcome any nearer. George still kept her hand firmly on Timmy. He was bristling⁴ all over!
　　'What a lonely place to live in,' said Julian. 'No house within miles, I should think. No telephone.
　　I wonder what they'd do if somebody was ill or had an accident and needed help.'
　　'I hope they'll hurry up with that food,' said George, getting impatient. 'It'll be dark soon. I'm gettinghungry too.'

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