“Washingsocks?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”PeteandRobyn
were both puzzled.
Billy spoke slowly and patiently as though to a very small child
“Listen this is how it goes. While shepherds washed their socks
bynightNowdoyouknowit?”
“OhBilly!”exclaimedRobynandPetetogetherThentheywere
laughing too hard to speak.
Billy just stared at them. He began to laugh because they looked
so funnyFinallyPeteclappedhimontheshoulder“Billyyousay
thefunniestthings!”
Robyn wiped her streaming eyes, and looking at her watch said,
“We’llhavetorun”
“UponmyshouldersNipper”Peteswunghislittlebrotheraloft
and jogged alongside Robyn.
“Iatetoomuch”beganRobyn
“Metoo!”agreedtheboys. “Ireckonwewon’thavetoeatfora
coupleofdaysatleast”addedPete
It was late afternoon and the children had just returned to their
hideout after a wonderful Christmas dinner. Billy showed a small
boxof‘Lego’andalargebagoflolliestoteddy“Youcanmind
thesenowTedwhileIplaywithmySantathings”Hespreadhis
toys out and was soon engrossed in a game.
“What’sthenextmovePete?Whereandwhendowegofrom
here?’Robyn sat down beside Pete who was leaning with his
back against the trunk of the tree.
“WellI’vebeenthinkingcosyandallasthissetupiswere
bound to be noticed when school starts back. I mean you and
Billycan’tjustgotoaschoolbecausetheywill want to meet your
parentorguardianI’mokbecauseIlookbigenoughtohaveleft
Ifyoudon’tgotoschoolandyou’renoticedaroundschoolhours
