CHAPTER XIX.
Hallowe’en.
“THE twins have come back and we have found Little Breeches,” he cried joyfully, fairly hopping up and down with excitement. And sure enough, there were the twins, having returned that very morning even as they went, in Papa Doctor’s big pockets. Disgusted with life in a sphere that gave them such small scope for the exercise of their talents, they had seized upon an opportunity to leave Mrs. Gray’s, and right glad they were to be at home again and in the bosom of a family that received them with frantic rejoicings. Had Teddy bears been fond of veal, no doubt an unlimited supply could have been provided, for surely never were returned prodigals received with such acclaim.
Sally almost wept for joy while she listened to Peter Pan’s voluble explanations.
Jimmy-boy had so far improved under Dr. North’s treatment that for some time he had gone about on crutches and latterly had been able to take a few steps alone. Dr. North had decided to send him and his mother to the farm for a few weeks, or until the end of Indian Summer, where plenty of good food and the pure country air would lend great assistance toward the little fellow’s recovery. The cubs had found nothing at all to their liking in the tiny flat, where there was practically nothing to do, nothing to eat and a continual menace to their life and liberty from Billy, the Coon Cat. Consequently they had sought and found an opportunity of escape. Opportunity is often easy of access if one only goes about it the right way. And the twins after several anxious days found their occasion for escape.
Little Breeches had been discovered in the soiled clothes hamper, where nobody had thought for a moment of searching and from which he had finally ventured forth heartily disgusted with his marooned condition. Joy unconfined reigned in the nursery and Sally declared that she had never been so glad over anything in her whole life.
Having gloated over the delighted spectacle of the reunited Teddy bear family in each other’s arms, she quickly ran to find Bob in order to inform him of the splendid news. Bob was equally pleased over the fortunate turn that affairs had taken. And then the two children, having made ready for the Hallowe’en festivities that were to take place after dinner, sat quietly down and enjoyed afternoon tea which was presently served by nurse before the crackling fire in the nursery.