Daisy wrote:With regard to Sooty - he would know Julian and Dick were called Kirrin, but knowing George was a cousin, she may well have had another name - children don't usually go into details of how their friends are related to their aunts and uncles, so "Uncle Quentin" was the best idea for Sooty to come up with.
I thought along those lines - but was surprised to read that Quentin Kirrin was the one who had organised the whole Kirrin trip/stay with Mr lenoir!
'Yes. Quite true. But what a name to give anyone -Sooty ' said Uncle Quentin. 'Well, I've been having quite a lot of correspondence with this boy's father. He and I are interested in the same scientific matters. In fact, I've asked him whether he wouldn't like to come and stay with me a few days - and bring his boy, Pierre.'
'Oh really!' said Dick, looking quite pleased. 'Well, it wouldn't be bad sport to have old Sooty here, Uncle. But he's quite mad. He never does as he's told, he climbs like a monkey, and he can be awfully cheeky. I don't know if you'd like him much.'
Uncle Quentin looked sorry he had asked Sooty after he had heard what Dick had to say.
'No. I've a better idea than that,' said Uncle Quentin, fishing a letter out of his pocket. 'Much better. I've had a letter from that fellow Lenoir this morning - you know, the one who's interested in the same kind of experiments as I am. He says - er, wait a minute, I'll read you the bit. Yes, here it is.'
Uncle Quentin read it out: 'It is most kind of you to suggest my coming to stay with you and bringing my boy Pierre. Allow me to extend hospitality to you and your children also. I do not know how many you have, but all are welcome here in this big house. My Pierre will be glad of company, and so will his sister, Marybelle.'
Uncle Quentin looked up triumphantly at his wife. 'There you are! I call that a most generous invitation! It couldn't have come at a better time. We'll pack the whole of the children off to this fellow's house.'
'But Quentin - you can't possibly do that! Why, we don't know anything about him or his family!' said Aunt Fanny.
'His boy goes to the same school as Julian and Dick, and I know Lenoir is a remarkable, clever fellow,' said Uncle Quentin, as if that was all that really mattered. 'I'll telephone him now. What's his number?'
Seems strange that Sooty was so in the dark about who
Mr Kirrin was - unless his parents told him absolutely nothing!