There was silence after this for a moment. Then,
“How much too short?” asked Roy.
“About ten feet, I guess.”
“You guess! Well, go get it and let’s find out!”
“Instantly, your Majesty!” Dick went off toward the barn unhurriedly, whistling softly.
“Isn’t he exasperating?” asked Roy.
“We’ll square up with him when we get down,” answered Chub with a grim smile of anticipation. In two or three minutes Dick was back, dragging the ladder after him. He placed it against the house under the window and they viewed the result. It lacked at least ten feet of reaching the sill.
“That’s no good,” said Chub. “Isn’t there a longer one anywhere? Have you looked?”
“Yes, Exalted One.”