XXVIII 



FROM MOLETOWN TO BATVILLE 



'< ) RE the next Saturday the 

 xiW **'KS&''*' WW ""^'^slss had grown tired of visit- 

 \l 1'^Al.^f/' i'// '"'^ ^^ children down in East 

 \'illage and came uj) to the farm, 

 without the least sciap of an 

 invitation ; they spread their 

 rough, red blankets over Nat's 

 iuid Dodo's faces, necks, arms, and 

 ssts, evidently making preparations 

 for camping there some time. So instead of going 

 to school the children were put to bed, each in a cot 

 with the back to the light, and a screen to keep off 

 draughts, in the south room, where there was a fine 

 blazing log fire. 



" I suppose Ave must staj^ in here for two weeks," 

 said Dodo to Nat, while they were waiting for their 

 mother to bring their breakfast. " Uncle Roy says if 

 you are not polite to the measles when they come to 

 see you, and don't stay in the house to entertain them 

 and keep them warm and comfortable, they will creep 

 in through your skin and give you a cough or put their 

 fingers in your eyes and make them ache." 



" It's nice to have special buttered toast and mother 

 all to ourselves," said Nat, "but I'll miss Rap and the 



camp awfully." 



387 



