"Blyton, Enid - Famous Five 03 - Five Run Away Together" - читать интересную книгу автора (Blyton Enid)

"On our island," corrected Dick. "It can't be! That smoke must come from a steamer out beyond the island. We can't see it, that's all. But I bet the smoke comes from
a steamer. We know no one can get to the island but us. They don't know the way."
"If anyone's on my island," began George, looking very fierce and angry, "if anyone's on my island, I'llЧI'llЧI'll . . ."
"You'll explode and go up in smoke!" said Dick. "ThereЧit's gone now. I'm sure it was only a steamer letting off steam or smoking hard, whatever they do."
They watched Kirrin Island for some time after that, but they could see no more smoke. "If only my boat was ready!" said George, restlessly. "I'd go over this afternoon. I've a good mind to go and get my boat, even if the paint tr wet."
"Don't be an idiot!" said Julian. "You know what an awful row we'd get into if we go home with all our things bright red. Have a bit of sense, George."
George gave up the idea. She watched for a steamer to appear at one side of the island or another, to come into the bay, but none came.
"Probably anchored out there," said Dick. "Come on! Are we going to stand rooted to this spot for the rest of the day?"
"We'd better get back home," said Julian, looking at his wrist-watch. "It's almost tea-time. I hope your mother is up, George. It's much nicer when she's at meals."
"Oh, I expect she will be," said George. "Come on, then let's go back!"
They turned to go back. They watched Kirrin Island as they walked, but all they could see was jackdaws or gulls in the sky above it. No more spires of smoke appeared. It must have been a steamer!
"All the same, I'm going over tomorrow to have a look," said George, firmly. "If any trippers are visiting my island I'll turn them off." "
"Our island," said Dick. "George, I wish you'd remember you said you'd share it with us."
"WellЧI did share it out with you," said George, "but I can't help feeling it's still my island. Come on! I'm getting hungry."
They came back at last to Kirrin Cottage. They went into the hall, and then into the sitting-room. To their great surprise Edgar was there, reading one of Julian's books.
"What are you doing here?" said Julian. "And who told you you could borrow my book?"
"I'm not doing any harm," said Edgar. "If I want to have a quiet read, why shouldn't I?"
"You wait till my Father comes in and finds you lolling about here," said George. "My goodness, if you'd gone into his study, you'd have been sorry."
"I've been in there," said Edgar, surprisingly. "I've seer those funny instruments he's working with."
"How dare you!" said George, going white with rage "Why, even we are not allowed to go into my Father'; study. As for touching his things Ч well!"
Julian eyed Edgar curiously. He could not imagine why the boy should suddenly be so insolent.
"Where's your father, George?" he said. "I think we had better get him to deal with Edgar. He must be mad.
"Call him if you like," said Edgar, still lolling in the chair, and flicking over the pages of Julian's book in a most irritating way. "He won't come."
"What do you mean?" said George, feeling suddenly scared. "Where's my mother?"
"Call her too, if you like," said the boy, looking sly. "Go on! Call her."
The children suddenly felt afraid. What did Edgar mean? George flew upstairs to her mother's room, shouting loudly.
"Mother! Mother! Where are you?"
But her mother's bed was empty. It had not been madeЧbut it was empty. George flew into all the other bedrooms, shouting desperately: "Mother! Mother! Father! Where are you?"
But there was no answer. George ran downstairs, her face very white. Edgar grinned up at her.
"What did I tell you?" he said. "I said you could call all you liked, but they wouldn't come."
"Where are they?" demanded George. "Tell me at once!"
"Find out yourself," said Edgar.
There was a resounding slap, and Edgar leapt to his feet, holding his left cheek with his hand. George had flown at him and dealt him the hardest smack she could. Edgar lifted his hand to slap her back, but Julian stood in front.
"You're not fighting George," he said. "She's a girl. If you want a fight, I'll take you on."
"I won't be a girl; I'm a boy!" shouted George, trying to push Julian away. "I'll fight Edgar, and I'll beat him, you see if I don't."
But Julian kept her off. Edgar began to edge towards the doorway, but he found Dick there.
"One minute," said Dick. "Before you go Ч where are our uncle and aunt?"
"Gr-r-r-r-r-r-r," suddenly said Timothy, in such a threatening voice that Edgar stared at him in fright. The
dog had bared his great teeth, and had put up the hackles on his neck. He looked very frightening.
"Hold that dog!" said Edgar, his voice trembling. "He looks as if he's going to spring at me."
Julian put his hand on Tim's collar. "Quiet, Tim!" he said. "Now, Edgar, tell us what we want to know, and tell us quickly, or you'll be sorry."
"Well, there isn't much to tell," said Edgar, keeping his eye on Timothy. He shot a look at George and went on. "Your mother was suddenly taken very ill Ч with a terrible pain hereЧand they got the doctor and they've taken her away to hospital, and your father went with her. That's all!"
George sat down on the sofa, looking paler still and rather sick.
"Oh!" she said. "Poor Mother! I wish I hadn't gone out today. Oh dearЧhow can we find out what's happened?"
Edgar had slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind him so that Timmy should not follow. The kitchen door was slammed, too. The children stared at one another, feeling sorry and dismayed. Poor George! Poor Aunt Fanny!
"There must be a note somewhere," said Julian, and looked round the room. He saw a letter stuck into the rim of the big mirror there, addressed to George. He gave it to her. It was from George's father. , "Read it, quickly," said Anne. "Oh dearЧthis is really a horrid beginning to our holidays here!"
Chapter Four.
A FEW LITTLE UPSETS.
GEORGE read the letter out loud. It was not very long, and had evidently been written in a great hurry.
DEAR GEORGE,