'Where are you making for?'
The corporal said: 'Place called Brest.
Not the kind of name I'd like to call a town, myself, but that's the way these Froggies are.
Officer said to go there if we got cut off, and we'd get the lorry shipped back home from there.'
Howard said: 'Take us with you.'
The other looked uncertainly at the children.
'I dunno what to say.
I dunno if there'd be room.
Them kids ain't English.'
'Two of them are.
They're speaking French now, but that's because they've been brought up in France.'
The driver passed them with his dripping can, going towards the road.
'What are the other two?'
They're French.'
'I ain't taking no Froggie kids along,' the corporal said.
'I ain't got no room, for one thing, and they're just as well left in their own place, to my way of thinking.
I don't mind obliging you and the two English ones.'
Howard said: 'You don't understand.
The two French ones are in my care.'
He explained the situation to the man.
'It's no good, mate,' he said.
'I ain't got room for all of you.'
Howard said slowly: 'I see...'He stared for a moment absently at the traffic on the road.
'If it's a matter of room,' he said, 'will you take the four children through to Brest with you?
They won't take up much room.
I'll give you a letter for the RTO at Brest, and a letter to my solicitor in England.
And I can give you money for anything they'll want.'
The other wrinkled his brows.
'Leaving you here?'
'I'll be all right.
In fact, I'll get along quicker without them.'
'You mean take them two Froggie kids along 'stead of you?
Is that what you're getting at?
'I'll be all right.
I know France very well.'
'Don't talk so bloody soft.
What 'Id I do with four muckin' kids and only Bert along o' me?'
He swung round on his heel.
'Come on, then.
Get them kids dressed toot and sweet - I ain't going to wait all night.
And if I finds them messing with the Herbert I'll tan their little bottoms for them, straight I will.'
He swung off back towards his lorry.
Howard hurried down to the sand pit and called the children to him.
'Come on and get your clothes on, quickly,' he said.
'We're going in a motor-lorry.'
Ronnie faced him, stark naked.
'Really?
What sort is it?
May I sit by the driver, Mr Howard?'
Sheila, similarly nude, echoed: