The porter ran to do so. Jack wandered out into the yard to see if any car had come to meet them. But there was none. Only a sleepy brown horse stood there, with a farm wagon behind him. A farm-lad stood at his head.
Are you Master Arnold, sir? he said to Jack. Im meeting a party of four children to take them to Spiggy Holes.
Good, said Jack. He called to the others. Hie, Mike! Nora! Peggy! Theres a wagonette here to take us all. Hurry!
The porter wheeled out the two trunks. The children piled themselves and their belongings into the wagonette and grinned at the farm-lad, who looked a jolly sort of fellow. He got up into the driving-seat, cracked his whip and off they went trundling over the six miles to Spiggy Holes.
It was wonderful country that they passed through. The sea lay on one side, far down the cliff, as blue as the sky above. The cliffs were magnificent, and the coast was very rocky. Here and there the sea splashed around enormous rocks, and washed them with white spray.
On the other side were fields and hills. Poppies blazed by the roadside, and blue chicory flowers shone as brightly as the sky. The children were thrilled with everything.
Hope the weather keeps on being sunny and warm like this, said Mike. I shall live in a bathing-costume!
So shall I, said the others at once.
The horse cantered on. The children could hear the sound of the waves breaking on the shore far below. They were driving along a high, winding cliff road, and the sea-wind blew hard in their faces. It was a very pleasant breeze, for the sun was hot, and still high in the sky.
Whats our house called? Mike asked the farm-lad, who was driving.
Its called Peep-Hole, said the lad.
Peep-Hole! said Jack, surprised. What an odd name!
Youll be seeing it in a minute, said the lad. There it be!
He pointed with his whip - and the four children saw the queer little house that was to be their home and the centre of their strange adventures for the next few weeks.
It was a funny crooked house, with a queer little tower built on one side of it. It was set in a hollow in the cliffs, and was turned towards the sea.
Its called Peep-Hole because it really is a kind of peep-hole out to sea, set in the middle of those two cliffs, said the farm-lad. And from the tower you can see the tower of the old house set back on the cliff behind those tall trees there. They do say that in smugglers days someone in the Peep-Hole used to flash signals to someone watching in the tower of the Old House.
I say! This sounds exciting, said Jack. Smugglers - and towers - and flashing lights - and I suppose there are caves too.
Scores of them, said the lad, grinning. You mind you dont get lost in some of them, or get caught by the tide. This is a rare dangerous coast for children.
Heres the Peep-Hole, cried Nora, as they drew up outside the funny house with its one tall tower. And look - that must be Miss Dimity at the door! And shes just as mouse-like as you said, Peggy!
All the children looked at Miss Dimity. She was a small, oldish woman, with neat grey hair, a little smiling face, and big grey eyes that looked timid and kind.
Welcome to the Peep-Hole, children! she cried in a little bird-like voice.
Thank you, Miss Dimity! said the children, and they each shook hands politely.
I hope youll have a good-time here, said Miss Dimity, leading the way indoors. Your rooms are in the tower. I thought you would like that.
In the tower! cried Nora. With a squeal that made Miss Dimity jump. Oh, how lovely, lovely, lovely!
Miss Dimity led the way to a funny little spiral staircase that went up and up and round and round to the top of the tower. In the tower
were two rooms, one above the other. They were not very large and were perfectly round.
Now you can wash and brush your hair and then come down to tea, said Miss Dimity, in her firm, gentle voice. And she added again, I do hope you will have a good time here.
She didnt guess what a strange time the children would have - poor Miss Dimity!
At Spiggy Holes
This window looks over the sea for a long way, said Jack, peering out. And the next one looks on the cliffs - and this one looks overland and has a jolly good view of that old house up there - and this one just looks over the roofs of Peep-Hole.
That old house looks rather interesting and mysterious, said Mike. Its very big. I wonder who lives there.
Come along, children! called Miss Dimity. Tea is ready.
They all ran downstairs, laughing at the queer little winding staircase. They felt so happy. It was such fun to be all together again, after three months at school - it was nice to think of the lovely long weeks stretching before them, full of sunshine and fun.
There was a splendid tea, with three kinds of homemade cakes, and some delicious honey made by Miss Dimitys own bees. There was no tea to drink - just big mugs of cold creamy milk.
Miss Dimity sat at the head of the table, and asked them about their journey down. The children liked her. She laughed at their jokes, and didnt seem to mind how many cakes they ate.