"My drum's slam empty. All I've got's some in a one-gallon can."
"Just give me that!"
Papa handed the oil to the doctor and had scarcely had time to close the back door when the front door opened, and in walked Shoogie and Black Idd. Then Little Stray and Ned.
"Shoogie! You look funny!"
"I's sho' 'nuff bad sick this time, Bandershanks. Grandpa Idd, he takin' me up to the doctor's house, soon's we warms our feets."
"Doctor Elton ain't— He just— Doctor Elton went to get—To get you, Ned! You gotta ride far away on Mister Ward's automobile!"
"Baby, what's you talkin' 'bout?"
"You! You better go far off!"
Ned kept standing in the doorway, looking down at me. I talked as fast as I could, telling him he'd better hide, but I couldn't make him get scared! He was carrying a big wooden crate on his shoulder, and he didn't even put that down.
"Baby, where's Mister Jodie at? I got him the puppies here."