From his bedroom window Alexander Brown admired the view across the river and the fields beyond. It was a lovely sunny day in late summer and the fields were the golden brown of stubble, with hear and there a hint of green where the new growth sprouted between the cut stems. The hedges were dusty and dry after weeks of fine sunshine and the recent cutting of the corn. But in the distance one field still stood uncut. It was the field where Dot and Dat Harvest lived.

A movement on the far side of the field caught his attention. Something moved slowly through the gate, a large bright red thing. Alexander knew what it was at once and in a moment he was hurrying from the apartment and down the stairs.

"Timothy Tabby, come quick" he called, "the harvester is in the field where Dot and Dat live, we must go and help them move house at once."

In a flash Timothy was following Alexander down the drive. Alexander was no longer afraid of Timothy, in fact they were now firm friends, for after his ducking in the river Timothy Tabby was a reformed character. No longer did he jump out on people or pounce on them un-awares, or chase them down the river bank. Indeed he was a most helpful person and was eager to go to the rescue of Alexander's friends.

Down the lane sped Alexander, over the bridge where the river slipped lazely along, then with a sharp left turn he led down a short tunnel that came out on the well worn track that ran beneath the hedge. Here they were safe from the sharp eye of Sparticus Hawk, though now they had to twist and turn between the rank grown grass and low leafy branches of the hedge, until at last they reached the field where the corn still stood.

Here Alexander slithered to a halt just in time as the great noisy red monster rumbled slowly by waving its arms threateningly.

"Whew, we are only just going to be in time" he puffed. When the monster had passed out of the way they quickly crossed the stubble and soon found that they were not the first. There were Dot and Dat up in their home, hastily lowering furniture and baggage, while their friends below gathered it up and carried it to the safety of the hedgerow.

In fact there was quite an assembly of people. Peterkin Lew was there directing operations at ground level and seeing that folks did not get in each others way. The Daws were up with Dot and Dat sorting out belongings and helping to pack, Mama and Papa that is, Jonathan and Betsy were down below untying the things as they descended from above. Judith and Katie were arranging the things in the shelter of the hedge, so Alexander and Timothy were busy carrying belongings from home to hedge, struggling through the stubble with bulky furniture.

"What a way to move house" puffed Walter Vole as he passed with a paw load of buckets and mops.

"Do keep an eye on the children" called Bridget Vole, "that terrible monster will be back at any moment". Then looking back she let out a distressed wail.

"Vin-cent, don't just stand there, run." she yelled. But Vincent just stayed where he was, immobilised by panic, as the red monster came closer and closer on its second circuit of the field. With a swift bound and a pounce Timothy grabbed the youngster by the scruff of his neck and in the nick of time lifted him clear of the flailing arms.

"I think you had batter stay with Judith and Katie" advised Alexander soothingly. "I am sure they will find you something useful to do". Still shaking with fear Vincent gladly took his advice.

Back at the old home Dot was packing the last case with things from the wardrobe.

"Really Dat surely you don't want this shabby old thing do you." She said, holding up an old jacket with worn collar and frayed sleeves, there was a stain down the front and most of the buttons were missing.

"But that is my favourite working jacket." Dat replied, "It is nice and comfortable and I don't need to bother about getting it messed up."

"Well it had better not go in the case, it will mess everything else up, you had better carry it yourself".

At last the case was packed and the wardrobe carefully lowered to the ground where four helpers were ready to carry it to the hedgerow.

"Thats that then" sighed Dot as she took a last look round the empty rooms. "Good bye house." she called as she slid to the ground and hurried of after Dat. And not a moment too soon, for almost before she had reached the safety of the hedge the grumbling monster had swept up her old home into its great gaping mouth.

"Whew, just in time." said Walter as she and Dat arrived at the pile of belongings. "Why ever did you leave it so late".

"That was Dat's idea, 'No need to move yet.' he kept telling me."

"But the grain is still too damp to cut" Dat defended himself. "It needs several more days of fine weather yet."

"In the old days it would" explained Dot, "but now they have that new drier in the barn they can cut it earlier".

"Why don't you get yourself a permanent home?" enquired Peterkin Lew, "then there would be no danger of being caught in the middle of a harvest field."

"We have tried that, but there seems no where just right." Dot confided, "Either there is damp or the rooms are too far apart or there are too many steps, or it is too expensive. We have looked everywhere."

"There is a nice little place in our river bank." suggested Walter Vole, "And it's all ready to move into."

"Yes, we saw that one, but what about the winter floods, I understand one needs to live up stairs most of the winter." said Dat.

Hmm, you have a point there." agreed Walter. He never minded the trifling inconvenience, finding it quite homely and exciting to camp in the bedrooms, but he quite understood that other people found that sort of thing rather trying.

"I believe there is a place over Beech Ride way", suggested Papa Daw, "been empty quite some time".

"Yes, and for the very good reason that Slinky Fox moved in to the Old Den a few months ago", explained Judith.

"How about you Peterkin, don't you have an apartment to let." she continued.

"I do, but Dot objects to all those steps." Peterkin replied.

"And what if it gets blown down in a gale." Dot commented.

Then Katie quietly whispered to Alexander. "I think I know just the place, and I am sure they have not seen it." she said shyly.

"Quiet everyone" Alexander called, "Katie Wood says she knows of just the place. Will you take us there please."

"Yes of course I will, it is not far, just a few doors from my house".

"Right, we will go and look at it with Dot and Dat, but I think we had better not all go just now, the rest of you stay here and sort out the furniture a bit, then if it suits Dot and Dat you can see it when you bring the things over."

Everyone thought this was a splendid idea, so Katie and Alexander led the way with Dot and Dat following. Judith came too as she lived near by and wanted to put on a big pot of tea for refreshments.

The place Katie led them to was high up in a dry grassy bank, beneath the roots of an old Hazel tree. There was a cosy living room looking out over a wide bridal path, with dog roses growing by the window. The scullery overlooked a smooth sloping lawn and the bedrooms were tucked snugly amongst the higher roots with tiny windows facing south.

"This is delightful." Cried Dot, "thank you Katie for showing it to us, it is just what we want, don't you agree Dat."

"Indeed it is." Dat said, "It is so snug and dry, and near friends too." So they hurried round to Messers Stripe and Brockley to arrange things at once.

"I am sure you will be very happy there," said old Mr. Brockley with a smile, "and if there is anything that needs to be done just let me know."

When they returned to the hedgerow they found everyone having a fine time gossiping and catching up on news from distant parts. Sally and Freddy House had arrived to help and were pleased to see Alexander with Katie Wood.

Timothy Tabby however had disappeared mysteriously by on his own telling everyone to wait until he returned and not start moving things on any account.

"I wonder what he is up to," said Freddy, "are you sure he is quite 'safe'".

"Oh yes, we need not fear Timothy any more," Alexander defended his friend, "and if I am not mistaken here he is now."

Just then Timothy's stripy face appeared beneath the branches. He was puffing and panting, and had a cord round his body and something bumping along behind him.

"Ah, at last." He exclaimed, "This was harder work than I expected." He came out into the clearing followed by a beautiful four wheeled cart.

"I went and had a word with Clarice, she said I could borrow her cart for the day." he explained.

"That is just the thing we need." cried Perterkin, "it will make things much easier and quicker." And before long he was organising the loading of the cart.

When the last piece of furniture was piled up on the cart Timothy once more picked up the rope that was used to pull it, and with everyone pushing or pulling in unison to Peterkins commands the cart began to rumble along. It was not at all easy, for the load was heavy and the ground soft in places under the trees, where a trickle of water seeped from a spring. Then there was a glade to pass, covered with coarse grass which had to be cleared to make a roadway. Down the other side they had to scramble through the brambles until at last they came onto the driveway that ran through the woods. Here lookouts were posted in case Slinky Fox was about, but fortunately there was no sign of him and Oswald Owl was still in bed. They did catch sight of Silvester Stoat, but with Timothy and Peterkin in the party he decided not to play any of his tricks.

At last they came to the bridal way that ran past the new home and with a last concerted effort they hauled the little cart nearly to the door.

"Hooray" called everyone as Peterkin signalled them to halt.

"Now it is time for some refreshment" urged Judith, and soon a table had been set up and the urn of tea lifted onto it. Cups and saucers were produced and in next to no time all were enjoying a welcome cup of tea and cherry bun and chattering excitedly.

When everyone had had sufficient and the urn was empty Peterkin clapped his paws and began directing the operation of unloading the cart and getting the things up to Dot and Dat in their new home.

"Carpets first, then beds and wardrobes," he commanded, "then the dressing tables and other things for the bedrooms".

Much pushing and wriggling was needed to get the things into their new positions but at last it was done satisfactorily. The carpets were laid and the furniture placed just where Dot wanted it, the kitchen range was lighted and a kettle put on to boil.

"Thank you all very much", said Dat from his new doorway, "I don't know what we should have done without your help. And thank you Katie for finding this delightful home, I am sure Dot and I will be most happy here".

"Yes indeed," Dot continued, "and you must all come round for a celebration when we are properly organised". They stood and waved happily to their departing friends.

"Well isn't it nice to see them properly settled at last", said Sally as she and Freddy accompanied Judith and Alexander to Katie's home for a final family chat over yet more tea. She noticed with satisfaction how familiar Alexander was with Katie's arrangements.

"Yes, and lets hope they have really settled this time. This yearly move is quite exhausting". said Judith.

"That was a good idea of Timothy's to borrow a cart" Freddy commented, "I hope he manages to get it back to Clarice in good time".

"He should do that all right, with so many eager helpers". Alexander explained, "And how are my favourite niece and nephew in law getting on?"

Alexander stretched his legs comfortably as he settled into one of Katie's fireside chairs. It was good to have the company of friends and relations after a day of hard work such as he had just had, and to smell in anticipation the sweet odour of cooking as Katie prepared a much need meal.