FIVE CHILDREN AND IT
And half-a-crown was finally agreed to be "handsome."
So Anthea wrote on the back of her last term's report, which happened to be in her pocket, and from which she first tore her own name and that of the school, the following letter:—
"Dear Reverend Clergyman,—We are very hungry indeed because of having to fly all day, and we think it is not stealing when you are starving to death. We are afraid to ask you for fear you should say 'No,' because of course you know about angels, but you would not think we were angels. We will only take the necessities of life, and no pudding or pie, to show you it is not grediness but true starvation that makes us make your larder stand and deliver. But we are not highwaymen by trade."
"Cut it short," said the others with one accord. And Anthea hastily added—
"Our intentions are quite honourable if you only knew. And here is half-a-crown to show we are sinseer and grateful.
"Thank you for your kind hospitality.
"From Us Four."
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