“We can see,” said Jim with pleading insistence.
“I’ll go call the veterinarian,” said Mrs. Meadows. She went inside to the telephone.
In a few minutes Jim’s mother was back. “There was no answer at Dr. Cornby’s home, Jim. It’s eleven-thirty; so I suppose he will be home before too long. In the meantime I have no idea where to reach him.”
“What day is it?” asked Jim with apparent irrelevance.
“Thursday, why?”
“He’s at the Springdale Gazette office as usual,” said Jim whose mind was functioning again with its old sharpness. “Call him there and tell him how important it is.”
Dr. Cornby was very surprised when he was called to the telephone. He listened carefully for a few minutes.
“Where is the leg broken?” he asked after Mrs. Meadows had explained what had happened.
“About four inches below the knee,” replied Jim’s mother.
“That makes it tough,” he said. “Not much chance with the break there.”