XIX
A FRIEND, INDEED
The next morning Rusty Wren awakened with a start. Somebody was pounding at his door—and shouting his name, as well. He jumped out of bed to see what was the matter. And, looking outside, he beheld Mr. Chippy, with sixteen of his cousins, all very much excited—if one might judge by their actions.
They were flying back and forth past Rusty’s doorway and chipping in shrill and piercing tones.
“I’ve come for my son,” Mr. Chippy informed Rusty Wren. “Send him out here at once or it will be the worse for you.”
“I’d be glad to get rid of him if I could,” Rusty answered. “But, as I explained to you last night, he has grown so big that he can no longer pass through my doorway.”
“I don’t care to argue with you?” Mr. Chippy replied. “Just let me have Chippy, Jr., or we’ll come inside your house and get him. We’ll make trouble for you, too. Perhaps you didn’t know that kidnapping a child is a very serious act. I’ve already asked Solomon Owl’s opinion about this matter; and he advises me to take my child away from you by force, if necessary.”
“There’s no sense in waiting any longer,” one of Mr. Chippy’s cousins interrupted. “Let’s go right in and seize the lad!”
At that the mob crowded round Rusty Wren’s door. And the pert gentleman who had just spoken thrust his head through the opening.
That, however, was as far as he was able to go. His shoulders were altogether too broad for the small, round passage. And though his relations attempted to push him into the house, they soon saw that they would never succeed in their undertaking.