“When we’ve gone,” said Titty, “someone else may discover it. They’ll know it’s a camp because of the fireplace, but they’ll think the natives made it.”
“If anybody takes it, we’ll barbecue them,” said Nancy Blackett. “It’s our island, yours and ours, and we’ll defend it against anybody.”
“We’re going to school at the end of the summer,” said Peggy.
“So are we,” said Susan.
“Well, we shan’t be at school forever,” said Nancy. “We’ll be grown up, and then we’ll live here all the year round.”
“So will we,” said Titty, “and in the winter we’ll fetch our food over the ice in sledges.”
“I shall be going to sea some day,” said John, “and so will Roger. But we’ll always come back here on leave.”
“I shall bring my monkey,” said Roger.
“And the parrot shall always come,” said Titty.
“Well, it’s no good hanging about,” said Nancy. “Let’s put to sea.”
Everything left was carried down to the harbour and stowed in the ships. Susan emptied the kettle on the fire. Titty took the parrot all over the island, so that when they got home it would remember her favourite places. At the last minute John thought of the rope for hoisting the lantern on the lighthouse tree. He ran back there and loosed one end of