The Secret Seven filed into the shed after Peter and Janet's mother. Peter shut the door.
"I'm glad you didn't ask me for the password, Peter," said his mother, smiling. "Dear me, I do feel important, coming to one of your meetings. It's very nice of you to let me."
"We're very pleased, Mother," said Janet, and all the others nodded in agreement. Everyone liked Peter and Janets kind, generous mother.
They began to talk about the fire, and the homeless Bolans.
"There's Luke Bolan, Mother, who goes round with the fair," said Peter, "and there's Mrs Bolan, who visits any fair that comes into the district, and makes hot gingerbread to sell. We hadn't any money left to buy it, but she gave us all some!"
"That was really very kind of her," said his mother, surprised.
"And there's a dear, smiley little baby," said Pam. "Rather dirty, but a little darling."
"And there's a boy called Benny," said Janet. "We haven't actually seen him, Mother. He was in the shack last night when it was burnt down, but he ran out and hid in the bushes. Poor Mrs Bolan was so afraid he would be inside the burning shack."
"Yes. You told me last night," said her mother. "Well, now, let's think. I suggest that each of you should go home and tell your mothers about what has happened ... and tell them that we are going to lend the old caravan to the Bolans, but that as all their things were burnt, we want to try and give them as many really necessary things as we can..."
"Do you mean kettles and things?" asked Pam.
"Yes , and perhaps an old mattress to sleep on," said Peter's mother. "There won't be room for a bed, of course. A folding chair would be a good idea; and a small mattress perhaps for the little boy and the baby. They will want food too."
"Well, I'm really glad that the Secret Seven have something to do," said Peter, pleased. "It makes us much more of a real club then. What can you give, Mother?"
"There's an old mattress in the loft," said his mother, thinking hard. "And I can send up at least one saucepan, and I've an old blanket, and..."
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"Well, if all our mothers can find something or other we'll be able to make that caravan really cosy," said Janet, looking forward to the job. "I vote that everyone goes home after this meeting, and finds out what he or she can bring; and then comes back here to another meeting as soon after dinner as possible..."
"And we'll draw up a list of things, and choose what we think Mrs Bolan will need!" said Peter. "Mother can help in that, can't you, Mother?"
"Oh yes!" said his mother, smiling. "And when we've decided what to take we'll get the, farm-van, and pile everything into it. We'd better take a scrubbing-brush or two, because I expect that old caravan will need cleaning!"
"This is going to be fun," said Barbara. "I'm good at scrubbing! I only hope Mrs Bolan won't be there, because it would be wonderful to see her face when she comes to the van, and sees it all clean and furnished ready for her!"
"Oooh yes ... I'd like to get it all quite perfect," said Pam. "Shall we go off home now?"
"Yes," said Peter. "The sooner the better! Now mind you tell your mothers what my mother has said ... and I bet they'll all rush round and see what they can find."
The Seven stood up, excited, and Scamper wagged his tail eagerly, jumping up at Peter. "Do you want to help too, old fellow?" said Peter. "Well, we'll take you with us! Now remember, Secret Seven ... back here after dinner ... say as near half-past two as possible. And remember the password!�
�Wuff!� said the rest of the Seven at once, and made Scamper bark in delight.
�Thank you, Mother, for coming to our meeting,� said Janet, hugging her mother. �We�ll bring you our lists this afternoon and let you say which things would be best to take up to the old caravan. Won�t Matt be surprised to see us?�
�He certainly will,� said her mother. �He�s a kind old fellow!�
Everyone cycled home, eager to tell their mothers about the morning�s meeting. Peter and Janet went to find the mattress in the loft.
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Yes, there it was, rolled up in thick brown paper, and tied with string. They dragged it to the trap-door of the loft, and let it slide down the ladder � bump! It landed at the bottom very suddenly, and Scamper tore down the stairs in a great fright.
Mother went to her linen cupboard, and her blanket store, and found two old sheets and a blanket, warm and cosy. She chose a saucepan from the kitchen, and a teapot and jug from the dresser there. She rummaged out an old oil-stove too, to air the caravan.
Peter and Janet carried everything to the hall, and stored it there ready for when the farm-van called that afternoon, as Mother had arranged.
Just before half-past two the other Secret Seven members arrived, each with a list or some notes scribbled in a notebook.
Nobody forgot the password this time, and Scamper was really very funny when they all arrived at the shed. He said �Wuff� before they did!
Peter collected the lists, and read them over. �Golly � your mothers have been jolly generous!� he said, pleased. �Everyone�s offered a blanket � and our mother did too. Let�s take the lists to her, and let her decide which things will be best for the caravan. At this rate we�d have enough to furnish a dozen caravans!�
They took the lists to Peter�s mother, and she checked them quickly with a pencil, crossing off duplicated articles.
�This is fine!� she said. �Did you arrange to have the things ready, all of you?�
�Oh yes,� said everyone.
�Very well � I think I can hear the farm-van outside now,� said Peter�s mother. �We�ll pack our own things into it � and then collect what we want from the other houses. Come along!�
It was fun going round in the van and collecting so many things. Everyone�s mother was very kind, and said that they were pleased to think that the Secret Seven was doing such a fine job.
�And nowwe�ll driveup to the old caravan,� said Peter�s mother. �And really set to work! We�re goingto have some fun!�
