I heard my sisters and brother thunder down the stairs.

"Where's Mother," Jan asked. I turned away from the stove and looked at my sisters and brother.

"Away to pick up Aunt Sara and the cousins. She left a while ago. Now sit down and I will give you breakfast," I said. Gussy started crying in his seat and I walked over to him. I lifted him up and carried him over to the table. I gave him to Eliza and went back to the stove. I spooned porridge into four bowls then carried them to the table. I put one in front of each of my siblings and kept one for myself. They ate quietly. I put my spoon down and looked at my siblings.

"You are strangely quiet," I said.

"Because of the history bee," Felix replied.

"If you studied you wouldn't have to be so worried, I learnt every date last night and Father tested me when you children were in bed," I said, proudly. Felix mumbled something under his breath and I looked at him.

"What was that," I asked.

"He didn't say anything Lissie just that the porridge tastes delicious," Jan said, covering for my brother. "And we get our report cards too." The clock struck eight and I stood up.

"Time to go children. I have to leave Gussie to Grandmother's but I'll be

in school before it starts," I said, lifting their half finished bowls and taking them to the sink. I washed them out then turned to my siblings. Eliza handed Gussie to me before she ran out after Felix. I lifted my books from the table and walked out of the house. I walked slowly towards the big farmhouse where Grandmother, Grandfather and Uncle Daniel still lived. I pushed open the front door and walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning Grandmother," I said.

"Morning Lissie. Hello Gussie," Grandmother said, walking over and lifting my youngest brother. " Lissie. I cut a watermelon last night and there's some for you to take to school. One for you, Liza, Felix and Jan."

"Thank you Grandmother. I'm sure it will be lovely," I said, smiling. I walked to the table and took the four pieces of watermelon then turned to Grandmother.

"Right Felicity time for you to go. You don't want to be late on your last day of school," Grandmother said. I smiled and nodded.

"Thank you. I'll see you this evening," I said before walking out of the kitchen. I walked outside then started to run towards the schoolhouse.

I stood beside the school door with Eliza who was watching three people by the gate.

"They must be new," she said.

"Well if we've never seen them before then yes Eliza I'd say they are new," I sighed.

"Get off your horse Felicity Cecily Pike," Eliza snapped. I smiled slightly and gave my sister a small shove.

"I have an idea. I have an idea," Jan said, rushing up to us with Jessie.

"How to get Gussie to talk," Jessie added.

"He's only two. He has plenty of time to start talking," I said.

"But most babies are talking before they are two. Gussie is two and a half," Eliza pointed out.

"He will talk when he's ready," I said.

"Do you want to hear our idea anyway," Jan asked.

"Go on," Eliza laughed.

"We lock him in a room and ignore his crying, he'll have to say mama or papa or something," Jessie said.

"I don't understand the logic in that," Alice said behind us.

"Can you please stop that," I said.

"Stop what," she asked.

"Just appearing," I replied.

"Sorry Lissie," Alice laughed as the bell rang.

"Race you inside," Jan shouted, speeding away. We all ran after her.