Page 7 (1/2)

"Odious?" asked Tim "That's what I called you, Nanny"

"No, not odious They called you insufferable, Tim 'The eldest is insufferable,' they said They couldn't remember your naether

"Repetitious," Nanny told them "They said you were repetitious and tedious because they couldn't tell you apart And your reedy because you wanted teaters

"I'etically, "or I'd make you another sweater I do think it would be nice if you each had one"

"Me?" asked Jane in a sot you, dear I was actually quite surprised after they left and I settled in and found four children They had told lad?" Jane asked, a little nervously

Nanny wrinkled her nose "Well, I was sorry I hadn't asked for a higher salary I usually charge more for four children

"But it was lovely to find a little girl," she added "I do like little girls"

She began to forh into balls and dropped theo on, please, Tim? About the crocodiles?"

Tiain he looked up and said, "That's heinous, Nanny, that they didn't tell you about Jane They cheated you out of some of your salary I always knew they were cheaters Father always tried to shortchange me on ot an allowance?" asked Barnaby A with a surprised look "We never got an allowance!"

"Never!" added Barnaby B

"What's an allowance?" asked Jane piteously

"Never mind," Nanny soothed "That time is past I believe that ould all benefit, actually, if they were to be eaten by crocodiles There is a provision in their will that I aedy befalls theh," she added, "if a buyer co and wants the house"

"No one will," Tim said confidently" Here I'll read this now

"'The crocodile river was such fun Two tourists were eaten in huge gulps but it was not sad at all because they were French Father and I fought the creatures off with our kayak paddles and triu a helicopter trip over an erupting volcano We got quite a bargain because the pilot has not co MUCH more expensive to have an experienced pilot! By the hen the house is sold and you move elsewhere, would you leave your clothes behind? We will take theet a commission'"

The four children and Nanny were all silent for a moment Then Nanny tilted the board the children

"Here Lick"

One by one they scraped the raw dough froers and then licked Nanny herself licked the wooden spoon hich she had stirred The san to erant and warive estion?"

"Well," Tim replied, "I've kind of stopped iven you a whole lot of points for the bowl licking, but I'd forgotten all about the systeh?" he asked

"It's souiltily

"Tell," said all the children together

"We could find that secondhand shop and sell their clothes," Nanny said

"We could," agreed Tim, "but not all their clothes I still need Mother's hs a ton"