Chapter 2 PLANS FOR THE FIVE
George was still looking upset. What with her fears that Timmy might be ill or hurt, and now herdistress at Joan being carried off in the ambulance, she wasn't much help to anyone.
'Do stop, sniffing¹, George,' said Anne. 'We've just got to be sensible and think of some way out ofthis.'
'I'm going to find Mother,' said George. 'I don't care if she's in quarantine or not.'
6'Oh no, you're not,' said Julian, taking her firmly by the arm. 'You jolly well know what quarantinemeans. When you had whooping-cough you weren't allowed to come near any of us, in case wecaught it too. You were infectious, and that meant that you didn't have close contact with anybody forat least a few weeks. I think it's only two weeks for scarlet³ fever, so it won't be too bad.'
George went on sniffing, trying to pull away from Julian's hand. Julian winked⁴ at Dick, and saidsomething that made George pull herself together at once.
'Well, REALLY, George!' he said. 'You're acting⁵ just like a weepy girl. Poor Georgina! Poor little oldGeorgina!'
George stopped sniffing immediately and glared at Julian in fury. If there was one thing she reallyhated it was to be told she was acting like a silly girl! And how awful to be called by her real name,Georgina! She gave Julian a hefty punch, and he grinned at her, warding⁶ her off.
'That's better,' he said. 'Cheer up! Just look at Timmy staring at you in amazement⁷. He's hardly everheard you crying before.'
'I'm NOT crying!' said George. 'I'm - well, I'm upset about Joan. And it's awful to have nowhere togo.'
'I can hear Aunt Fanny telephoning,' said Anne, who had very sharp ears. She fondled Timmy's head,and he licked her hand. He had already given everyone a wonderful welcome, whining⁸ with pleasure,and licking lavishly⁹. He had been mad with joy to see George again, and was surprised and sad tofind her looking so

分享到：