"Just wanted to see if you're awake."
As it usually did when he needed it most, happy inspiration came to Jeff.
"I'm awake all right and I want you to do something for me."
"Sure, Jeff."
"I'm going to Ackerton today and I may be gone a week or more. I want you to take Pal and go up to watch over Granny Wilson."
"But—"
"She needs somebody," Jeff urged. "You and I have stopped in there almost every day and kept an eye on her. We can't just leave her alone."
Dan said reluctantly, "All right, Jeff. Can I take the shotgun?"
"You'd just better."
His problem neatly solved, Jeff relaxed. When Dan announced that he had been assigned as her protector, Granny, in her wisdom, would accept him as such. If he should get out of hand, the shotgun shells were loaded with nothing but paper. They'd make a satisfactory noise but wouldn't hurt anybody.