After they had all been presented to Button, they went over to the grove of trees where the dogs always went when they wished to talk without interruption, and they agreed to stay there until time for the patients to have their supper, for they were very curious to hear how the big, black cat got all the way from the United States of America to France, and also to hear how Billy got away from the old General.
They were all trotting along as fast as they could through the barnyard with heads down, thinking what a fine time was in store for them listening to the goat and cat relate their adventures, when the Red Cross dog heard a peculiar croak and, looking around, he saw the cook astride Billy’s back, trying to get a rope around his neck. Now the rope had just slipped over Billy’s head and the cook gave it a pull that nearly strangled him and made him make the croaking noise that caused the Red Cross dog to turn around.
“Gee, that is too bad!” sighed the dog, and Pinky said:
“Just my luck! I never counted on having a good time that something did not come along and spoil it! I expect the cook won’t rest now until he has delivered Billy to the old General.”
“I wonder where the cook is going to put him now he has him,” said one of the dogs.
“Goodness knows! I don’t!” replied Pinky.
“Why, look! He is going over toward the hospital with him,” said another.
“Let’s follow and see what he is going to do with him,” suggested the Red Cross dog. “But keep out of sight and don’t let the cook know we are following him,” he warned.
So they all separated, slinking along in the shadows, dodging behind trees, boxes and barrels, their eyes glued to the cook’s back.
Instead of hiding, Pinky walked out in plain sight, and trotted along at the cook’s heels, and she heard him mutter to himself: “I’ll just put this foxy old goat in that vacant room in the hospital and lock him in and then we will see if he is smart enough to butt down the hospital!”