“Bear in there catch me?” asked Trouble, stopping his crawling.
“No, not any bears, of course,” and Ted could not help laughing. “But you’ll be caught fast on a nail, or something in your clothes, the same way I am. I guess that’s what’s holding me. Go back, Trouble! Oh, do go back!”
“No, I come in!” was the answer. “Trouble goin’ be a ’ittle worm, an’ crawl under barn. I’s comin’!” And go on he did, wiggling on his little stomach like a “’ittle worm,” as he called it.
Ted could do nothing to stop him and Trouble was soon under the barn near his brother. Just ahead of them, and out of reach of Ted’s hands, was a nest with half a dozen eggs in it.
“Dis nice place,” said Trouble, as he nestled close beside Ted. “We be chickies an’ nobody find us here.”
“I wish they would find us,” said Ted. “This is no fun,” for it was hot and stuffy under the barn.
Then he heard voices outside near the hole by which he had crawled in. Grandpa Martin and Jan were there.
“Oh, where has Trouble gone?” Ted heard his sister ask.
“He’s in here with me,” replied Ted.
Trouble spoke for himself.