But, as Bunny said:
“If he had fallen it wouldn’t ’a’ hurt him.”
And, to speak the truth, it would not. The hay would have made a soft cushion. Then, to make sure it was safe, George and Charlie hung on the trapeze together. The ropes held and then it was decided it would be safe for any of them to perform on it.
Just as they were about to start, however, there was a whining, crying sound in the main part of the barn.
“What’s that?” cried George.
They all listened.
“I guess it’s Patter,” said Bunny. “We left him down below when we climbed up the ladder to come here. I’ll get him.”
Leaving the other boys to play on the trapeze, Bunny went back to the top of the ladder that led up to the haymow. Below on the floor in the main part of the barn, was poor Patter, whining and crying and whimpering because he was lonesome. He had waited some time, hoping the boys would come back to him, but when they did not he called to them in the only way dogs can talk.
“Poor Patter!” said Bunny kindly. “Do you want to come with us?”
“Bow-wow!” barked Patter, and he whined and whimpered again.