4. The Friends Seek Help

After Curly and Boysie have walked along the beach for an hour or more, they decide that the sea is further away than it was before. As there is no sign of anyone stealing the water, they decide to have a rest.

"Curly," says Boysie, "You know that I like playing jokes on people."

"Yes, I do," replies Curly, remembering some of the silly things that Boysie has done in the past.

"Well, I was just wondering. Are you trying to get your own back?"

"What do you mean?" asks Curly.

"What I mean is, are you playing a joke on me? The sea isn't really being stolen, is it?"

"Boysie, it would serve you right if I was playing a joke on you, but I'm not. You can see for yourself. The tide should be in by now."

"Perhaps we ought to ask Professor Potter," suggests Boysie. "My feet are aching and getting sore."

"What a good idea, Boysie," says Curly. "Why didn't I think of that?"

They leave the beach and set off through a wood to the Professor's house.

When they arrive there, they ring the bell. The door is opened by Grimblegrot, the Professor's assistant. "Hello you two," he says. "The Professor has been expecting you."

"Expecting us?" says Curly. "How did he know that we were coming to visit him?"

"You know the Professor," answers Grimblegrot. "He's always full of surprises."

"So is the sea!" replies Curly under her breath.

Curly and Boysie enter the house and climb up the stairs to where the Professor is waiting for them.