"Lissie, when can we eat. I'm hungry," Felix said.

"When Mother gets home with aunt Sara and the cousins," I said.

"Can't we just have something small," Jan asked.

"No, it will spoil your appetite," I snapped.

"Hungee Issie," a voice lisped.

"Gussie," Eliza gasped. I spun around and went over to my brother.

"Hungee," he said, smiling.

"Well I suppose we can each have a piece of shortbread," I laughed, walking to the cupboard. I opened it and took out the biscuit box. I pulled out five pieces of shortbread and handed them out and broke one on the table for Gussie. The front door opened and closed then we heard Father shout. We all ran into the hall and hugged him tightly. Father left for work early every morning so we only got to see him in the evening.

"Father, Father, Father," Jan said, jumping up and down. He picked her up and looked at her. "Gussie spoke," she said, smiling.

"Well its about time," Father laughed. "Now when's supper."

"It's ready, we are just waiting for Mother. She'll be here soon," I said.

"If she isn't I'll turn into a skeleton," Felix said.

"You can last a week without Felix," I said.

"You could do without a meal Piggy," Eliza said, poking him in the stomach.

"Oink Oink Oink," Felix yelled.

"Felix," Father said. My brother stopped and smiled. We heard a crash outside.

"And that would be Mother crashing the buggy into the fence... Again," Eliza said and we all laughed.

"Well go outside and meet your cousins," Father said, opening the door and putting Jan down on the front step.

"You're home. Now we can eat," Felix said, running to the gate.

"For that I'm giving you dinner last," I said, walking down the path.

"That's enough Lissie," Mother said. "Felix, take the bags inside, Sara you'll be staying in the guest room and the girls will be sharing with Lissie and Eliza."

"There's not enough room," Liza said.

"Four people in a room will make a complete mess Mother, send Felix to stay with Uncle Felix and Aunt Izzy and give them his room," I added. I wasn't sharing with strange, French cousins.

"So how was school. You got your report cards today. Didn't you," Mother asked as she sat at the table.

"Yes, here's mine. All A's as usual," I said, taking the card out of my pocket.

"Little miss perfect," Felix mumbled. My brother and sisters begrudgingly gave theirs to Mother as well. She looked through them then handed them to Father. He squinted at them so he could see them. Father didn't listen to Mother when she said to him he needed to wear his glasses more often. I suppose he is just glad he can see!

"They look the exact same as they did last year. Lissie and Jan, excellent. Eliza and Felix, try studying," he said, smiling.

"There were three new students in school today," Jan said.

"And the older boy was staring at Lissie all day," Felix added, grinning.

"Be quiet," I snapped.

"Well you are nearly sixteen Lissie," Eliza said, smiling.

"And I don't care. I'm finishing school then going to medical school," I said.

"You want to be a nurse," Rebecca said.

"No, a doctor," I said.

"Girls can't be doctors," Ruth said.

"Is there a rule," I asked, staring at my cousin.

"It isn't right," she replied. I mumbled a few words under my breath.

"Felicity what have we told you," Father asked.

"Don't say what you say when you are annoyed," I said, innocently.

"Well I think being a doctor is a noble ambition Lissie," Aunt Sara said.

"I wouldn't go to a girl doctor," Felix said. I kicked my brother and he yelled.

"Stop annoying your sister and finish your dinner," Father said.

"I'm finished. May I be excused," Jan asked. Father nodded and she jumped up and ran out of the kitchen.

"I have chores to do. May I go," I said.

"Go on and don't do Felix and Eliza's chores too," Father said. I nodded and stood up. I walked out the kitchen door and ran across the garden towards the barn.