SOLVED. kids' fiction: orphans run away from bachelor uncle [s]

[John]

I read it back in the 70's, and recall that it was a newly printed book, though the "action" is Victorian (Edwardian?) England.
Orphaned kids (I think 3 or 4) go to live with their bachelor uncle guardian, whom they've never met. Neither side can relate to each other, although there's a scene where they're supplied with watercolors to use on Sunday afternoons as a reward for being good in church, so the uncle does make an effort. The kids run away, are caught in a storm and returned to the uncle bedraggled-as-hell, to learn he was genuinely worried about them. Happy ever after.
I believe there was a pony called Abner Abednego ... or else that was the name of the sinister jackdaw?
Been driving me crazy, so thanks in advance for your help!

[CLM]

This sounds like Linnets and Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge. Great book, and you should be able to find a copy pretty easily.

[John]

That was it - thanks!