"Can't I come?" asked Ted, as he saw his grandfather start into the dark hole which spread out from the open place into which Ted had fallen.
"I'm not coming," declared Janet, "and I don't want to stay here all alone."
"You stay there with your sister, Curlytop," directed Mr. Martin. "If I find out it's all right and is safe, I'll come back and take you both in a little way."
Grandpa Martin walked into the dark hole, his lantern flickering like a firefly at night. The Curlytops watched it until they could no longer see the gleam. Then they waited expectantly.
"Maybe somethin'll grab grandpa," said Jan, after a bit.
"What?" asked Ted.
"A fox—or somethin'!"
"Pooh, he isn't afraid of a fox!"
"Well, a bear, maybe!"
"There isn't any bears here, Janet Martin! I'm not afraid."