I made them all, she said. So its nice to see them being eaten. I know you like them then.
We certainly do, Dimmy, said Nora. The others giggled and looked at Miss Dimity. Was she going to be cross at being called Dimmy?
Dear me, she said, thats what I was called at school. It is nice to hear that old name again!
So after that they all called her Dimmy, and the name suited her beautifully.
When they had eaten their tea Dimmy got up to clear away. She did all the cooking and housework herself.
Would you like us to help you? asked Peggy politely.
Oh no, thank you, said Dimmy, stacking up the cups and saucers. Youve come here to have a holiday, not to help me. But there are one or two rules I want you to keep, all of you.
What are they? asked Mike, rather alarmed. This sounded a bit like school to him.
Oh, nothing very much, said Dimmy, smiling. You must make your own beds each morning. You must be in good time for meals - though if you want to picnic out of doors you can tell me and Ill put you up lunch or tea any time you like. And the third thing is something your mother asked me - that is, you must be in bed by half-past eight.
All right, Dimmy. said Mike. Well keep the rules. Weve all got watches, so we know the time. Now can we go and explore a bit?
Yes - go out for an hour, then come back in time for bed, said Dimmy. Ill unpack for you, if you like.
Oh goody! said Peggy, pleased. Thanks very much. Come on, you others!
They all trooped out of the house and ran to the path that led down to the beach. It was a steep path, made of steps that were cut into the rock itself.
It winds down like our tower staircase! said Mike. Isnt it a steep cliff - and I say, just look at the colour of the sea! Ive never seen such a blue.
The sun was sinking in the west. To the east the sea was deep blue and calm. To the west it was full of a dancing golden light. The children laughed for joy and jumped down the last steps to the golden sand. It was studded with shells of all sorts.
Ill be able to make a fine collection of shells, said Mike, who loved to make collections of all kinds of things.
I say! Look at those caves! suddenly said Jack, and he pointed to the cliff behind them. The others looked. They saw big and small holes in the cliffs.
Lets go and see them, said Nora. She ran up to the cliff and peered inside one cave.
Oooh! she said. Its cold and dark in there. She was right. It was. The sunshine could not get inside the deep caves, and they felt damp and mysterious.
I wonder how far they go back, said Mike. It would be fun to bring a torch and see.
Well do that one day, said Peggy. Now what about a paddle? Come on!
They took off their sandals and splashed into the water. It was warm. They danced about in glee, and played catch in the water. Nora fell over and wetted her frock.
Peggy squeezed it out, and then looked at her watch.
Goodness, its time we went back! she said. We must hurry. Come on!
They ran back to the cliff and climbed up the steep, narrow path in the rock, panting and puffing, for they were not yet used to it. Then down the garden they ran to the side-door of Peep-Hole. Miss Dimity was setting a simple supper for them of green lettuce and brown bread and butter, and barley water.
Good old Dimmy! cried Mike. Oh, this is a lovely place, Dimmy. There are dozens of caves down there on the beach.
I know, said Dimmy. They are called the Spiggy Holes after a famous smuggler called Spiggy, who lived a hundred and fifty years ago. He used to live in that old house higher up the cliff. It is said that he used this house as a spy-place so that he might know when his smuggling boats were coming in.
Oooh! How exciting! said Mike. Good old Spiggy!
He wasnt good, said Miss Dimity sternly. He was very bad.
I wish there were smugglers nowadays, said Peggy. Then perhaps we could spy on them and discover them. It would be most exciting.
Well, there are no smugglers in Spiggy Holes, said Dimmy. Have you finished your supper? It is quite time you went up to bed. I suppose you can be trusted to wash and clean your teeth and all that without me seeing that you do?
Dimmy dear, do you suppose our teachers at school come and see that we do all that? said Jack. It may surprise you to know that we are all of us over five years old.
It doesnt surprise me at all, you cheeky boy, said Dimmy, smacking him with a spoon, as he ran by her. Go along with you!
They all went upstairs giggling. Dimmy is a good sort, said Nora, as she undressed in her little round tower room with Peggy. She likes a bit of fun. Oh, I do like this funny bedroom, with its four windows, dont you, Peggy?
Yes, said Peggy. But the boys have got the best room - so high up like that. Lets go and say good-night to them.
They slipped on their dressing-gowns and climbed the winding stairs to the boys room. Both the boys were in bed. Weve come to say good-night, said Peggy. Isnt this a lovely place to stay in, Mike?
Lovely, said Mike, with a huge yawn. I like a room where the sun shines in from dawn to dusk, and has four windows to peep through!