"Are we going to keep him?"
Anthony looked at Alice and grinned. "I don't think we have any choice in the matter. It's a question of life and death."
"But not in the house," said Alice. "There's no room for him in the house. And he'll be quite safe outside."
"I'm afraid not," said Anthony. "He's strong, but as a pup he's still delicate. Very susceptible to virus infections."
"That elephant?" exclaimed Alice incredulously. "Afraid of little things like viruses?"
Anthony nodded. "His kind catch cold very easily. After he grows older, of course, he'll be different. He'll be able to sleep outside, if you make him a chest protector. The chest has to stay warm. You used to knit well, Alice."
"I can't knit a chest protector for an elephant!"
"You're exaggerating. Even full-grown, he probably won't top 4600 pounds. Some elephants come a lot bigger than that."
"I'll sew him a protector out of an old blanket. I won't knit it."
"I guess that will do. Meanwhile, as I said, we'll have to keep him in the house. And about food—" He coughed delicately. "Later on, he'll be able to supply himself. Meanwhile, he's still a pup, as I must keep on reminding you. We'll have to buy special dog food. And vitamin concentrates. A few gallons a year, no more. He'll be mature at about two."