"It's very nice of you boys to want to cheer him up," said Mrs. Bouncer. "But if he's asleep, I think perhaps that will do the poor boy more good than company. Wait a minute and I'll see if he's awake."
She went in and Sammy nudged Frank.
"The poor boy!" said Frank, gritting his teeth.
"He needs his sleep!" remarked Sammy. "He'll be tired enough to need it when we get through with him."
They heard Mrs. Bouncer knock on Bob's door.
There was a moment's silence and then a voice piped up:
"Is that you, Ma?"
"Yes, Bobby, dear," was the response. "Frank and Sammy want to come in to cheer you up."
The boys listened breathlessly for the answer. When it came, the voice was very weak and tired.
"I think I'd better try to get to sleep, Ma," Bob said. "But thank Frank and Sammy just the same."