The doctor was at the house by the time Jim arrived. He was busy with Jean; so Jim rubbed Ticktock down and put him in the orchard.
“You’re a hero, old boy,” he said fondly. “You got me out of a pretty ticklish mess by being so smart.”
“Just sprained badly,” the doctor was saying as Jim entered the house. “She’d better stay in bed a day or two. That’s the only way I know of to keep active children from moving around.”
Jean had her dinner in bed, rather enjoying being in the limelight. After he had eaten, Jim got a chance to talk to his sister alone.
“I suppose you were looking for the hide-out,” he said hesitantly.
Jean nodded her head. “I haven’t told anybody though.”
“Good girl,” said Jim with a thankful sigh. “It was mean of me not to show you before. As soon as you can get around I’ll take you there, even if it isn’t your birthday.”
“I haven’t said anything about the milk and eggs you took either,” said Jean calmly. “What are you feeding?”
Jim looked at his sister with hesitation. She certainly had shown that she could keep a secret. She deserved to be in on the excitement, he decided. Perhaps that would make up in some part for his having indirectly caused her accident.
“Look, Jean,” he said, lowering his voice. “I’ll tell you the whole story....”