"Well, I'd love to get out of Louella for a day or two before the same old summer routine starts. I thought maybe I'd ask Uncle George if I could come out to the farm for the weekend. I'll do a picture of the barn, I just won't tell him it's for him."

"I think it's a fine idea."

"And it will get me warmed up for the things I want to paint up at the island this summer. Is it okay with you?"

"Sure. And I know your father won't mind. I'll give Uncle George a call this evening."

"Thanks, Mom. I figure I can get it pretty well roughed out in a day or so, if only John would leave me alone while I'm there."

"That might not be so easy." Brent's mother laughed. "You know how much he looks up to you. You may just have to put up with a lot of him."

"I guess. But he's a pain."

"Well, I'm sure you'll live," his mother chuckled. "You were seven once too, you know."

Brent finished his cupcake and the glass of milk. He left the kitchen and went upstairs to check over his paint supplies.

It seemed right to him to be going away for a couple of days just after school was out, instead of rushing over to the pool like everybody else and falling into the regular summer pattern.

I'd go crazy by September if we didn't have the island, he thought. The whole idea of getting over to the swim club before noon and hanging around all day every day messing around with the same people all the time turned him off. He liked the idea of getting away by himself.

Brent had been at his Uncle George's place for only a couple of hours and his younger cousin hadn't left him alone once. He was really getting into the picture now, sketching out in ochers and grays the siding of the barn. But John kept butting in and asking questions, and even had tried once or twice to start a game of tag by punching him on the shoulder and shouting, "You're it!"