Five Run Away Together Read Free Page B

I'm going over tomorrow to have a look," said George, firmly. "If any trippers are visiting my island I'll turn them off." "
    "Our island," said Dick. "George, I wish you'd remember you said you'd share it with us."
    "Well—I did share it out with you," said George, "but I can't help feeling it's still my island. Come on! I'm getting hungry."
    They came back at last to Kirrin Cottage. They went into the hall, and then into the sitting-room. To their great surprise Edgar was there, reading one of Julian's books.
    "What are you doing here?" said Julian. "And who told you you could borrow my book?"
    "I'm not doing any harm," said Edgar. "If I want to have a quiet read, why shouldn't I?"
    "You wait till my Father comes in and finds you lolling about here," said George. "My goodness, if you'd gone into his study, you'd have been sorry."
    "I've been in there," said Edgar, surprisingly. "I've seer those funny instruments he's working with."
    "How dare you!" said George, going white with rage "Why, even we are not allowed to go into my Father'; study. As for touching his things — well!"
    Julian eyed Edgar curiously. He could not imagine why the boy should suddenly be so insolent.
    "Where's your father, George?" he said. "I think we had better get him to deal with Edgar. He must be mad.
    "Call him if you like," said Edgar, still lolling in the chair, and flicking over the pages of Julian's book in a most irritating way. "He won't come."
    "What do you mean?" said George, feeling suddenly scared. "Where's my mother?"
    "Call her too, if you like," said the boy, looking sly. "Go on! Call her."
    The children suddenly felt afraid. What did Edgar mean? George flew upstairs to her mother's room, shouting loudly.
    "Mother! Mother! Where are you?"
    But her mother's bed was empty. It had not been made—but it was empty. George flew into all the other bedrooms, shouting desperately: "Mother! Mother! Father!
    Where are you?"
    But there was no answer. George ran downstairs, her face very white. Edgar grinned up at her.
    "What did I tell you?" he said. "I said you could call all you liked, but they wouldn't come."
    "Where are they?" demanded George. "Tell me at once!"
    "Find out yourself," said Edgar.
    There was a resounding slap, and Edgar leapt to his feet, holding his left cheek with his hand. George had flown at him and dealt him the hardest smack she could. Edgar lifted his hand to slap her back, but Julian stood in front.
    "You're not fighting George," he said. "She's a girl. If you want a fight, I'll take you on."
    "I won't be a girl; I'm a boy!" shouted George, trying to push Julian away. "I'll fight Edgar, and I'll beat him, you see if I don't."
    But Julian kept her off. Edgar began to edge towards the doorway, but he found Dick there.
    "One minute," said Dick. "Before you go — where are our uncle and aunt?"
    "Gr-r-r-r-r-r-r," suddenly said Timothy, in such a threatening voice that Edgar stared at him in fright. The
    dog had bared his great teeth, and had put up the hackles on his neck. He looked very frightening.
    "Hold that dog!" said Edgar, his voice trembling. "He looks as if he's going to spring at me."
    Julian put his hand on Tim's collar. "Quiet, Tim!" he said. "Now, Edgar, tell us what we want to know, and tell us quickly, or you'll be sorry."
    "Well, there isn't much to tell," said Edgar, keeping his eye on Timothy. He shot a look at George and went on. "Your mother was suddenly taken very ill — with a terrible pain here—and they got the doctor and they've taken her away to hospital, and your father went with her. That's all!"
    George sat down on the sofa, looking paler still and rather sick.
    "Oh!" she said. "Poor Mother! I wish I hadn't gone out today. Oh dear—how can we find out what's happened?"
    Edgar had slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind him so that Timmy should not follow. The kitchen door was slammed, too. The children stared at one another, feeling sorry and dismayed. Poor George! Poor Aunt