Tommy appeared on the front porch just as they reached the steps. He waved at them vigorously and called, “Hey, guys! C’mon! Hurry up!”
Billy and Buzzy hurdled the porch rail and collapsed on the porch swing. “Jeepers!” Buzzy panted. “We’ve run just about a mile!” He fanned himself with his open hand. “What’s the big news?” He snorted. “Hurry ’n’ tell us, because we gotta get back to school and pick up the stuff for the game.”
“Jack went to the clinic last night,” Tommy said importantly.
Billy and Buzzy stared at each other in consternation.
“Aw, gee,” Billy said quickly. “He isn’t sick again, is he?”
Tommy paused a moment, enjoying the scene. “Dr. Loring had him put in the hospital because he thinks he’s well again—”
“Zowie!” Buzzy cried. “Really?”
“And they had to make lab tests to be sure,” Tommy continued importantly.
“Well, tell us. When’re they going to know if he’s okay?”
Tommy puffed himself up. “I already know,” he said. “You can ask me if you want to know.”