“It was considerate of you to come home to have them,” said Doctor Ward comfortingly. “Eunice and Cricket are just down with them. We’ll quarantine you all together, and then you can amuse each other.”
“The kids, too?” groaned Donald. “See here! Did they give ’em to me? I’ll wallop them!”
Doctor Ward laughed harder.
“I don’t know where they came from, yet. I’ve had twenty cases to-day. Most of the children at the Drayton party are down. ‘A mumpful affair,’ as Cricket says. You may have picked them up on the street-cars. You could not have gotten them from our children.”
“Then I’ll stay home till the confounded things are over,” said Donald, rising. “I suppose I mustn’t go to dinner? Are the kidlets down? No? Well, I’ll go to my room and stay there. Since Eunice and Cricket are next door to it, that’s all right. Is mother with the kids? I’ll look in on them.”
So, just as mamma was cudgelling her distracted brain for more stories to tell her two forlorn children, a knock was heard at the door, and Donald’s curly head poked itself in.
“Hollo, Lady Greasewrister, and Madame Van Twister, her ladyship’s sister! How are your noble mumpships?”
“Go ’way, Don,” called Cricket dolefully. “We’re all mumpy in here. You’ll get them.”
But Donald boldly advanced. “Your humble servant, Madame Van Twister. Your gracious majesty was pleased to smile on me last night, and your native generosity shares even your ailments with me. Behold, thy servant also is mumpy.”
“You, too, Donald,” shrieked Eunice delightedly. “Oh, don’t make me laugh,” holding her hands to her throat. “Isn’t it funny, mamma? I didn’t know Freshmen ever had mumps and things.”