FIVE GET EXPURGATED

Five Go to Billycock Hill
Hodder & Stoughton, 1957
Knight Books, 1970 (10th impression, 1978)
Hodder Children’s Books, 1997

Chapter 1

Tony, a friend of ours ⁵⁷
Toby, a friend of ours ^{78 97}

the men who run it are very decent about showing anyone round,” ^{57 78}
the men who run it are very happy to show anyone round,’ ⁹⁷

“And just us Five together again ⁵⁷
‘And just Five together again ^{78 97}

for once in a way George’s father ^{57 78}
for once George’s father ⁹⁷

Where’s Joan? ^{57 78}
Where’s Joanna? ⁹⁷

I’ll give her notice!” ^{57 78}
I’ll give her her notice!’ ⁹⁷

Joan the cook ^{57 78}
Joanna the cook ⁹⁷

“Oh, sorry, sir ^{57 78}
‘Oh sorry ⁹⁷

“Joan—have you been tidying my desk again?” almost shouted George’s father. ^{57 78}
‘Joanna – have you been tidying my desk again?’ barked George’s father. ⁹⁷

“No, sir. Have you lost something? Never you mind, sir, I’ll come along and find it,” said Joan, ^{57 78}
‘No. Have you lost something? Never you mind, I’ll come along and find it,’ said Joanna, ⁹⁷

“Rather! We shan’t feed there, of course,” ^{57 78}
‘You bet! We shan’t eat there, of course,’ ⁹⁷

And you’ll have Timmy with you, too, so he’ll look after you all. ^{57 78}
And you’ll have Timmy with you, too. He’ll look after you all, ⁹⁷

he had a tidying fit on last night, ^{57 78}
he had a tidying fit last night, ⁹⁷

Macs, of course ⁵⁷
Anoraks, of course ^{78 97}

And jerseys. ⁵⁷
And sweaters. ^{78 97}

the pocket of her shorts. ⁵⁷
the pocket of her jeans. ^{78 97}

I got Joan ^{57 78}
I got Joanna ⁹⁷

our little portable wireless!” ⁵⁷
our little portable radio!’ ^{78 97}

sandwiches from Joan ^{57 78}
sandwiches from Joanna ⁹⁷

Joan had two large packets ^{57 78}
Joanna had two large packets ⁹⁷

“You’re a brick, Joan,” ^{57 78}
‘You’re a star, Joanna,’ ⁹⁷

Bring my mac, Dick.” ⁵⁷
Bring my anorak, Dick.’ ^{78 97}

everything was packed into the bicycle baskets, or strapped at the back. ⁵⁷
everything was packed into the bicycle carriers. ^{78 97}

sniffing at each basket ⁵⁷
sniffing at each pack ^{78 97}

Chapter 2

“I half wish we were going to spend Whitsun at Kirrin Cottage, and going bathing, ⁵⁷
‘I half wish we were going to spend Whitsun at Kirrin Cottage, and were going bathing, ^{78 97}

sniffed in her basket. ⁵⁷
sniffed in her carrier. ^{78 97}

Then he began to nuzzle a paper parcel out of the basket. ⁵⁷
Then he began to nuzzle a paper parcel. ^{78 97}

I do want a drink.” ⁵⁷
I do really want a drink.’ ^{78 97}

Joan’s fruit cake. ^{57 78}
Joanna’s fruit cake. ⁹⁷

a queerly-shaped top; ^{57 78}
an odd-shaped top; ⁹⁷

Chapter 3

carrying him in our bicycle baskets.” ⁵⁷
carrying him on our bikes.’ ^{78 97}

a queer shape, ^{57 78}
a strange shape, ⁹⁷

the children laved it over their faces ^{57 78}
the children splashed it over their faces ⁹⁷

lie down in the stream and let the water flow over him! ⁵⁷
lying down in the stream and letting the water flow over him! ^{78 97}

“Oh—it’s a pigling! ^{57 97}
‘On – it’s a pigling! ⁷⁸

his queer pet, ^{57 78}
his funny pet, ⁹⁷

Chapter 4

macs and swim-suits ⁵⁷
sweaters and swimsuits ^{78 97}

It was too difficult to fix everything on to the four bikes, ^{57 78}
It was too difficult to fix anything on to the four bikes, ⁹⁷

“Can I come and see your camp when you’ve builded it?” ^{57 78}
‘Can I come and see your camp when you’ve built it?’ ⁹⁷

queer pets. ^{57 78}
funny pets. ⁹⁷

“Jolly good idea!” ^{57 78}
‘Good idea!’ ⁹⁷

plenty of springy heather ^{57 97}
plenty of spring heather ⁷⁸

her queer larder. ^{57 78}
her odd larder. ⁹⁷

George laughed when he saw it. ⁵⁷
George laughed when she saw it. ^{78 97}

Chapter 5

“We shall sleep like tops here. ^{57 78}
‘We shall sleep like logs here. ⁹⁷

Help me up, Ju ⁵⁷
Help me up, up ⁷⁸
Help me up ⁹⁷

“That aeroplane wakened me. ^{57 78}
‘That aeroplane woke me. ⁹⁷

with glasses slipping down his nose, and hair much too long. ⁵⁷
with glasses slipping down his nose, and his hair much too long. ^{78 97}

his eyes shone as if he were very pleased. ^{57 78}
his eyes shone as if he were pleased. ⁹⁷

Chapter 6

“I say, sir—look at that butterfly. ^{57 78}
‘I say – look at that butterfly. ⁹⁷

the thick lens of his glasses. ⁵⁷
the thick lenses of his glasses. ^{78 97}

there are night-time moths and day-time ones as well!” ⁵⁷
there are night-time and daytime ones as well!’ ^{78 97}

It was certainly a queer place. ^{57 78}
It was certainly a strange place. ⁹⁷

Old Mrs. Janes does for us,” ^{57 78}
Old Mrs Janes lives here too,’ ⁹⁷

sometimes her son comes here to do any small repairs, ⁵⁷
sometimes her son comes here to do my small repairs, ⁷⁸
sometimes her son comes to do my small repairs, ⁹⁷

red and yellow spots, ^{57 97}
red and yellows spots, ⁷⁸

rather a queer person. ^{57 78}
rather an odd person. ⁹⁷

Chapter 7

the name Mr. Gringle had told him. ^{57 78}
the name Mr Gringle had told them. ⁹⁷

“My son don’t like strangers here,” ^{57 78}
‘My son doesn’t like strangers here,’ ⁹⁷

“I tell’ee my son don’t hold with strangers here,” ^{57 78}
‘I tell you my son doesn’t like strangers here,’ ⁹⁷

a long string of such queer-sounding words that Anne shrank back, afraid. ^{57 78}
a long string of strange-sounding words so that Anne shrank back, afraid. ⁹⁷

the queer old woman. ^{57 78}
the funny old woman. ⁹⁷

He’s a bad man, my son is!” ^{57 78}
He’s a bad man, my son!’ ⁹⁷

a bit queer, ^{57 78}
a bit peculiar, ⁹⁷

They went off after the two girls, Julian still feeling uncomfortable and distressed. ^{57 78}
They went off after the two girls, Toby still feeling uncomfortable and distressed. ⁹⁷

asked Julian. ^{57 78}
Julian asked. ⁹⁷

They caught up the girls ^{57 78}
They caught up with the girls ⁹⁷

macs neatly under the gorse bush ⁵⁷
anoraks neatly under the gorse bush ^{78 97}

“I’m glad you aren’t scared of them,” said Toby. “I’d have to call you Georgina if you were. That’s your right name, isn’t it?” ^{57 78}

“My beautiful tame spider ⁵⁷
‘My beautiful spider ^{78 97}

You wait till I pay you out, ^{57 78}
You wait till I pay you back, ⁹⁷

The girls will want to do their bit of washing-up, and put the rest of the food away. We’ll sit here and wait till they’ve finished, have a bit of a rest, and then go and find this pool.”
Everyone agreed to this, and the girls hurried off to the little spring. ^{57 78}
We’ll do the washing-up, and put the rest of the food away. Then we’ll sit here and have a bit of a rest, and then go and find this pool.’
Everyone agreed to this and they all set to work. The girls hurried off to the little spring. ⁹⁷

It wouldn’t interest the girls, but Dick and I would love it.”
“I should certainly like to go,” said George at once. “It would interest me as much as you!”
“But you’re a girl,” said Toby. “Girls don’t understand the first thing about aeroplanes or motor-cars or ships—or spiders either, come to that! I really don’t think you’d be interested, Georgina dear.”
“My name is not Georgina,” said George furiously. “And don’t call me ‘dear’.”
“Shut up, you two!” said Julian. “It’s too nice an afternoon to begin an argument. ^{57 78}

the pine-tree in the distance. It would be heavenly to bathe in a cold pool! ^{57 78}
the pine trees in the distance. It would be heavenly to bathe in a cool pool! ⁹⁷

Chapter 8

“I said I’d pay you out for the spider!” ^{57 78}
‘I said I’d pay you back for the spider!’ ⁹⁷

Before Toby had obeyed, something happened. A stentorian voice came across the pool. ⁵⁷
Before Binky had obeyed, something happened. A stentorian voice came across the pool. ⁷⁸
Before Binky had obeyed, something happened. A very loud voice came across the pool. ⁹⁷

my cousin, Lieutenant Thomas,” ⁵⁷
my cousin, Flight-Lieutenant Thomas,’ ^{78 97}

orders is orders, ^{57 78}
orders are orders, ⁹⁷

He smiled and gave a sketchy salute. ^{57 78}
He smiled. ⁹⁷

Lieutenant Thomas ⁵⁷
Flight-Lieutenant Thomas ^{78 97}

“So long,” said the man, saluted them all, and walked off smartly. ⁵⁷
‘So long,’ said the man, who saluted them all and walked off smartly. ⁷⁸
‘So long,’ said the man and walked off smartly. ⁹⁷

“He runned away again,” said Benny ^{57 97}
‘He runned away again,’ asid Benny ⁷⁸

What a fine young fellow—how strong—what keen straight eyes he had—what a cousin to possess! ^{57 78}

Chapter 9

a queer airfield, ^{57 78}
a strange airfield, ⁹⁷

Only fat-headed beginners do that.” ^{57 78}
Only silly beginners do that.’ ⁹⁷

when the girls have helped your mother to clear away and wash-up,” ^{57 78}
when we’ve helped your mother to clear away and wash-up,’ ⁹⁷

Chapter 10

I’ll buy it off you for five shillings.” ⁵⁷
I’ll buy it off you for fifty pence.’ ^{78 97}

suddenly produced two half-crowns and shoved them at Julian. ⁵⁷
suddenly produced a fifty pence piece and shoved it at Dick. ^{78 97}

Julian stared at the two half-crowns in his hand, and then at the receding back of Mr. Brent. ⁵⁷
Dick stared at the fifty pence piece in his hand, then at the receding back of Mr Brent. ^{78 97}

“What a queer fellow!” ^{57 78}
‘What a peculiar fellow!’ ⁹⁷

What are we to do with this five shillings, Dick? ⁵⁷
What are we to do with this money, Julian? ^{78 97}

we can give it to that poor Mrs. Janes,” said Dick, always generous. ⁵⁷
we can give it to that poor Mrs Janes,’ said Julian, always generous. ^{78 97}

a shilling a week, ⁵⁷
ten pence a week, ^{78 97}

He don’t like strangers. ^{57 78}
He doesn’t like strangers. ⁹⁷

“All right,” said Julian. ⁵⁷
‘All right,’ said Dick. ^{78 97}

he pressed the two half-crowns into her claw-like hand. She looked at them ⁵⁷
he pressed the fifty pence into her claw-like hand. She looked at it ^{78 97}

a queer household,” said Dick ⁵⁷
a queer household,’ said Julian ⁷⁸
a strange household,’ said Julian ⁹⁷

did we keep you waiting long?” ^{57 78}
did we keep you waiting for long?’ ⁹⁷

five shillings ⁵⁷
fifty pence ^{78 97}

patted her hand. ⁵⁷
patted her head. ^{78 97}

Julian lowered the volume to make it softer. ^{57 97}
Julian lowered the volume to make if softer. ⁷⁸

Soon the first notes came softly from the little radio, and seemed to set the countryside around to music. ⁵⁷
Soon the first notes came softly from the little radio, and it seemed to set the countryside around to music. ^{78 97}

R-r-r-r-r-r-r! ^{57 78}
R-r-r-r-r-r-r-r! ⁹⁷

Chapter 11

macs ⁵⁷
anoraks ^{78 97}

said Anne with giggle. ⁵⁷
said Anne with a giggle. ^{78 97}

a fat-head ^{57 78}
an idiot ⁹⁷

Hark at the rain ^{57 78}
Listen to the rain ⁹⁷

it more or less lighted up the tent. ^{57 78}
it more or less lit up the tent. ⁹⁷

“I’ve got a pack of cards in the pocket of my mac,” ⁵⁷
‘I’ve got a pack of cards somewhere,’ ^{78 97}

she got them out. ⁵⁷
she found them and got them out. ^{78 97}

Chapter 12

more of a little experimental station than anything else. ⁵⁷
more a little experimental station than anything else. ^{78 97}

macs ⁵⁷
anoraks ^{78 97}

our macs ⁵⁷
our anoraks ^{78 97}

Yes, everyone had a torch—except Timmy, ⁵⁷
Yes, everyone had a torch – except Timmy of course, ^{78 97}

the stalagmite might some day join with the ones above them!” ^{57 78}
the stalagmite ones might some day join with the ones above them!’ ⁹⁷

I’m glad of my mac!” ⁵⁷
I’m glad of my anorak!’ ^{78 97}

looking extremly surprised ⁵⁷
looking extremely surprised ^{78 97}

Chapter 13

“There’s quite a lot doing on the airfield this morning!” ⁵⁷
‘There’s quite a lot going on at the airfield this morning!’ ^{78 97}

my mac ⁵⁷
my anorak ^{78 97}

a queer, croaking voice. ^{57 78}
a funny, croaking voice. ⁹⁷

trustable ⁵⁷
trustworthy ^{78 97}

fat-head ^{57 78}
idiot ⁹⁷

“I suppose both Jeff and the other fellows have definitely gone?” ⁵⁷
‘I suppose both Jeff and the other fellow have definitely gone?’ ^{78 97}

“Yes, sir. ^{57 78}
‘Yes. ⁹⁷

Lieutenant Thomas hadn’t anything to do with it, sir.” ⁵⁷
Flight-Lieutenant Thomas hadn’t anything to do with it, sir.’ ⁷⁸
Flight-Lieutenant Thomas hadn’t anything to do with it.’ ⁹⁷

“You’re sure it was Mr. Brent?” ⁵⁷
‘You’re sure it was Mr Brent you saw?’ ^{78 97}

he wore the same dark glasses I saw him wearing in the morning. ^{57 78}
he wore the same dark glasses I saw him wearing earlier. ⁹⁷

“Well, thanks a lot,” said the first policeman ^{57 97}
‘Well, thanks a lot,’ said the first policemen ⁷⁸

“Sir—will you send us word ^{57 78}
‘Will you send us word ⁹⁷

Chapter 14

I’m scairt of strangers. ^{57 78}
I’m scared of strangers. ⁹⁷

“Get out what we’ve got, Anne and George,” ^{57 78}
‘Let’s get out what we’ve got,’ ⁹⁷

it’s got rich crimson underwings, and——” ⁵⁷
it’s got rich crimson underwings, and – and –’ ^{78 97}

five shillings? ⁵⁷
fifty pence? ^{78 97}

five shillings ⁵⁷
fifty pence ^{78 97}

“Who was the man that gave us the five shillings then, if it wasn’t Brent?” ⁵⁷
‘Who was the man that gave us the fifty pence then, if it wasn’t Brent?’ ⁷⁸
‘Who was the man that gave us the fifty pence then, if he wasn’t Brent?’ ⁹⁷

“What was he like?” asked Toby as once. ⁵⁷
‘What was he like?’ asked Toby at once. ^{78 97}

Chapter 15

recognise ^{57 97}
recognize ⁷⁸

“Why don’t we slip down to Butterfly Farm to-night, ^{57 78}
‘Why don’t we slip down to the butterfly farm tonight, ⁹⁷

listen to the news at six o’clock—there might be some about Jeff ⁵⁷
listen to the news at six o’clock — there might be something about Jeff ^{78 97}

Lieutenant Jeffrey Thomas and Lieutenant Ray Wells, ⁵⁷
Flight-Lieutenant Jeffrey Thomas and Flight-Lieutenant Ray Wells, ^{78 97}

“Yes. But remember, if he flew away in that plane, he was a traitor to his country,” said Dick gravely. “And traitors deserve to die.” ^{57 78}
‘Yes. But remember, if he flew away in that plane, he was a traitor,’ said Dick gravely. ⁹⁷

“He seemed so—well, so very British, ^{57 78}
‘He seemed so – well, so very honest, ⁹⁷

and yet it was an end that a traitor deserved—and that the other man deserved, too. ^{57 78}

won’t it be awkward for the Thomas’s ^{57 78}
won’t it be awkward for the Thomases ⁹⁷

the mystery down at Butterfly Farm!” ^{57 78}
the mystery down at the butterfly farm!’ ⁹⁷

“I don’t like Butterfly Farm ^{57 78}
‘I don’t like the butterfly farm ⁹⁷

towards Butterfly Farm. ^{57 78}
towards the butterfly farm. ⁹⁷

lighted windows? ^{57 78}
lit windows? ⁹⁷

Chapter 16

lighted by only a candle, ^{57 78}
lit by only a candle, ⁹⁷

Her head sank on her chest, ⁵⁷
Her head was sunk on her chest, ^{78 97}

another lighted window—much more brightly lighted ^{57 78}
another lit window – much more brightly lit ⁹⁷

five shillings. ⁵⁷
fifty pence. ^{78 97}

the five shillings ⁵⁷
the fifty pence ^{78 97}

any other window lighted? ^{57 78}
any other window lit? ⁹⁷

Mrs. Janes’ son,” ⁵⁷
Mrs Janes’s son,’ ^{78 97}

the lighted room?” ^{57 78}
the lit room?’ ⁹⁷

the lighted window ^{57 78}
the lit window ⁹⁷

It was lighted by a candle, ^{57 78}
It was lit by a candle, ⁹⁷

Mrs. Janes’ son, ^{57 78}
Mrs Janes’s son, ⁹⁷

Mother said he’d fallen in with a bad set of fellows, ^{57 78}
Mother said he’d fallen in with some bad men, ⁹⁷

Julian pulled out some dusty sacks and they laid them in a corner and sat there in the dark. ⁵⁷
Julian pulled out some dusty sacks and they laid them in a corner and sat there waiting in the dark. ⁷⁸
Julian pulled out some dusty sacks and laid them in a corner and they sat there waiting in the dark. ⁹⁷

Will Janes’ bedroom,” ⁵⁷
Will Janes’s bedroom,’ ^{78 97}

recognised ^{57 97}
recognized ⁷⁸

then another blow and a fall—and Will Janes laughed. ⁵⁷
then another blow and a fall – Will Janes laughed. ^{78 97}

“It’s all right, sir! ^{57 78}
‘It’s all right! ⁹⁷

Here they are, sir, ^{57 78}
Here they are, ⁹⁷

Chapter 17

snooping round, ^{57 78}
snooping around, ⁹⁷

But there was no sign of the men at all. ^{57 78}
But there was no sign of them at all. ⁹⁷

Janes was a bad lot ^{57 78}
Janes is a bad lot ⁹⁷

Yes—old Mrs. Janes could tell you—if she would!” ^{57 78}
Yes – old Mrs Janes would tell you – if she could!’ ⁹⁷

five shillings! ⁵⁷
money! ^{78 97}

Go and help her, Anne.” ^{57 78}

“You’m the one that give me five shillin’,” ⁵⁷
‘You’m the one that give me fifty pence,’ ⁷⁸
‘You’re the one that give me fifty pence,’ ⁹⁷

My son, he’s cruel. ^{57 78}
My son’s cruel. ⁹⁷

he allus wants money,” ^{57 78}
he always wants money,’ ⁹⁷

“And I weren’t going to give him that five shillin’. ⁵⁷
‘And I weren’t going to give him that fifty pence. ⁷⁸
‘And I wasn’t going to give him that fifty pence. ⁹⁷

“They do say he thieved,” ^{57 78}
‘They said he’d been thieving,’ ⁹⁷

He were a good son once.” ^{57 78}
He was a good son once.’ ⁹⁷

“You’m the one that give me five shillin’, ⁵⁷
‘You’m the one that give me fifty pence, ⁷⁸
‘You’re the one that give me fifty pence, ⁹⁷

“You’ll help a pore old woman, won’t you? ^{57 78}
‘You’ll help a poor old woman, won’t you? ⁹⁷

“There was four men,” ^{57 78}
‘There were four men,’ ⁹⁷

when they was hid up in my bedroom ^{57 78}
when they were hiding up in my bedroom ⁹⁷

“They was watching something,” ^{57 78}
‘They were watching something,’ ⁹⁷

Bad men they were, and they changed my son Will, they changed him.” ⁵⁷
Bad men they were.’ ^{78 97}

You again!” he cried, as he saw Julian and Dick. ^{57 78}
You again!’ he cried, when he saw Julian and Dick. ⁹⁷

Chapter 18

“Oh no, sir—not exactly,” ^{57 78}
‘Oh no, not exactly,’ ⁹⁷

up there at Butterfly Farm ^{57 78}
up there at the butterfly farm ⁹⁷

we’ve got him under our hands. We’ll call you back, sir—in about half an hour.” ⁵⁷
we’ve got him under our thumb. ‘We’ll call you back, sir – in about half an hour.’ ⁷⁸
we’ve got him under our thumb. We’ll call you back in about half an hour.’ ⁹⁷

Anne was fidgety, too, and thought she would play with Benny. But neither Benny nor the pigling were there, ⁵⁷
Anne was fidgety, and thought she would play with Benny. But neither Benny nor the pigling was there, ^{78 97}

the pilots got out the two planes, and flew them away. ^{57 78}
the pilots got out the two planes, and flew away. ⁹⁷

Chapter 19

the rain simply slashed down that night,” ^{57 78}
the rain poured down that night,’ ⁹⁷

that tiny little window at the cottage ^{57 78}
the tiny little window at the cottage ⁹⁷

four strange men hanging about Butterfly Farm,” ^{57 78}
four strange men hanging about the butterfly farm,’ ⁹⁷

‘What do you think, sir? ^{57 78}
‘What do you think? ⁹⁷

they think that it might have been one used to transport Jeff and Ray ⁵⁷
they think that it might have been the one used to transport Jeff and Ray ^{78 97}

“Well—if it isn’t an awful bother,” ^{57 78}
‘Well – if it isn’t a bore,’ ⁹⁷

“Hie, George! ⁵⁷
‘Hi, George! ^{78 97}

I’ve not seen him all morning!” ^{57 78}
I haven’t seen him all morning!’ ⁹⁷

Chapter 20

through the farm-gate up to Billycock Hill, ^{57 78}
through the farm gate and up to Billycock Hill, ⁹⁷

quarter the hill, ^{57 78}
search the hill, ⁹⁷

We’ll go down to Butterfly Farm, ^{57 78}
We’ll go down to the butterfly farm ⁹⁷

stentorian shouts. ^{57 78}
loud shouts. ⁹⁷

Julian went to Butterfly Farm ^{57 78}
Julian went to the butterfly farm ⁹⁷

Timmy was there first, of course, ^{57 97}
Timmy was there first, or course, ⁷⁸

Curly’s gonned in there,” ^{57 78}
Curly went in there,’ ⁹⁷

that letter has been rubbed off by heather or something.” ⁵⁷
that letter has been rubbed off by the heather or something.’ ^{78 97}

What shall we do now, sir? ^{57 78}
What shall we do now? ⁹⁷

Chapter 21

“Hie, Toby! ⁵⁷
‘Hi, Toby! ^{78 97}

even my silver pencil taken, and my old fountain pen ⁵⁷
even my pencil and pen ^{78 97}

“So it was you and those thugs we heard—oh, what a pity he didn’t know it!” ⁵⁷
‘So it was you and those thugs we heard – oh, what a pity we didn’t know it!’ ^{78 97}

the end ⁵⁷