Part 3 (2/2)

'Now co the way

'This fine strong door wasit over in the boat We haven't got glass for the s yet, and I don't suppose we ever shall; but it doesn't matter

What do you think of our kitchen?'

Hamish pushed open the door, and they all crowded in to see how Allan would look

'Well,' said Allan, 'you _have_ done a lot to the place!'

The clay floor had been swept dean and had been repaired in places; the hearth had been cleared out, and a kettle hung froaily-coloured pictures had been nailed up over the dah chairs and a soether it was a fairly coe

'You must have worked very hard at this,' said Allan

'Indeed we have,' said Marjorie 'We've been gardening, and ha all our spare time since you left; Tricksy and all of us We'd never have stuck to it as we did if it hadn't been for Neil'

'Good old Neil,' said Allan, giving the elder lad a friendly pat on the shoulder 'Well, I must say it's an awfully jolly place, and I wish I'd been here while you orking on it'

'There's plenty to do yet,' said Marjorie; 'we are going to make all kinds of improvee to spend so much time by ourselves and never co around for a few h in it, 'Yes, these are very nice chairs, and it's a very nice table; but are we going to get anything to put on it?'

All the others laughed

'Well,' said Allan, 'now I come to think of it, I _am_ a bit peckish

What do you say, Haetically; 'bustle about, all of you, and we'll have so else Get soie; some of the shepherd's peat-stack is still there, and it co on the hearth, and Marjorie suggested that the boys should go to the rocks on the farther side of the island and try to catch a few fish while she and Tricksy made scones and boiled the kettle

The boys scrambled out as far as they could and threw out their lines; and when half-a-dozen rock-cod had been caught they returned to find Marjorie and Tricksy very busy over the fire, while a pile of hot bannocks smoked beside them

'Take the dishes and set the table,' said Marjorie, rubbing her eyes, which smarted a little with 'peat reek,' for the chimney did not vent very well

'Where shall we set it?' asked Reggie

'Outside, of course; what's the good of being in a house when it isn't raining? Besides, it's smoky here'

A tablecloth was spread on a sheltered piece of turf, and secured at the corners with stones to keep it fro away; then the dishes were set out upon it

'What are the dogs about?' asked Marjorie, co fish

'Rabbiting, I bet,' said Reggie, and began shouting, 'Laddie! Carlo!'

In a few minutes there was a sca with pricked-up ears to knoas required of hiave a yelp, sprang up and turned a so, followed by Carlo, who yapped with excite behind him and his curly black coat covered with earth and stalks fro in the rabbit-holes

'Trust, Laddie,' said Tricksy; and the collie lay down obediently with his nose on his paws Carlo stretched himself beside him, but was unable to restrain his ied, undeterred by warnings froht get hi dinner out-of-doors?' said Marjorie, whose short curly hair was blowing about her face and glistening in the sun, while her blue eyes danced with merriment