'Do be careful, Henrietta,' said Mary to Henrietta, who was engaged in hitting her brother's face with one of Montrose's paws. 'It's all right, his claws are in,' said Henrietta. 'Mine wouldn't be if I were him,' said Casie. 'When I was your age I was taught not to maul my pets about.' 'I do wish you'd do something about those stones,' said Mary. 'We shall all be falling over them. Couldn't you put them in order of merit, and then we could find a home outside for the less important ones?' The idea of putting the stones in order of merit appealed at once to the twins. They dropped the cat and settled down on the floor with the pile of stones between them and were soon deep in argument. 'Has Theo been up to see Willy?' asked Paula. 'No. I suggested it, but he just laughed and said he wasn't Willy's keeper.' Willy Kost, a refugee scholar, lived in a bungalow on Octavian's estate which was known as Trescombe Cottage, a little further up the hill from Trescombe House, Willy suffered from a melancholia which was a cause of anxiety to the household. 'I suppose they've quarrelled again. They're like a couple of children. Have you been up?' 'No,' said Mary. 'I haven't had a moment. I sent Pierce up and Willy seemed O. Have you been?' 'No,' said Paula. 'I've had a pretty full day too.' Mary was rather relieved. She felt that Willy Kost was her own special responsibility, practically her property, and it mattered that she was always the one who knew how Willy was. She would go up and see him tomorrow. 'It's just as well Ducane is coming,' said Paula. 'He always does Willy good.' 'Is Ducane coming?' said Mary. 'I wish somebody would tell me something sometimes!' 'I suppose you realize the room isn't ready,' said Casie. 'I think Kate assumes it's a regular thing now and that's why she didn't tell you.'