You deserve much meat.
Peet-weet, peet-weet,
You’ll soon be on your feet.”
After all the hand-shaking and good-byes were over, Ready found out that his leg was about well, and Mr. Sandpiper and he started off again.
He hated to leave old Shaggy Dog, but had to be satisfied with the promise of a visit from him on the very first day of his vacation.
As they went along, Mr. Sandpiper explained that he would have followed Ready immediately if he had not found Mrs. Sandpiper in hysterics, and it had taken some time to quiet her. He said he was quite proud of the children, who had stood motionless under some tall weeds during the terrible danger.
At last Ready and Mr. Sandpiper came to a place where a long straight road lay before them. This was the place where the Sandpiper had to leave him. He carefully explained how easy it was to follow the road.
He said, “You remember that the Heron was to go with you and show you a short cut through the marshes. Perhaps it is just as well for you that he had appendicitis, as he always stops a long time to get his evening meal. Then if he is startled he flies at once to a tree. Moreover, he is rather apt to pick a quarrel. It is thought by some of the best authorities in Birdland that his appendicitis came from eating too heartily one night and quarreling violently afterwards.”
It was after twilight when the Sandpiper finally said good-bye and left Ready alone on the long dark road.
