Cuthbert put his hand up and pinched his throat.
"It's still rather sore," he said.
"So is mine," said Doris.
Captain Jeremy laughed.
"Well, there's nothing like the Arctic Circle," he said, "for people who've just had their tonsils out."
Then he spoke to Doris.
"Let me see," he said: "I know where Cuthbert lives, but where do you live?"
Doris told him that she lived in John Street, which was the next street to Cuthbert's. Her father was dead, and her mummy was rather poor, as she had five other children besides Doris.
Captain Jeremy nodded.
"Then perhaps I shall be able to persuade her," he said, "to let me take you off her hands for a bit."