It was such a good time that many an ache and pain was forgotten for many minutes. When Sonny Boy let the mice out of the cage and they scampered all over the table, then the children scampered, too—every one who could. Even the matron and the nurses uttered little screams.
But Sonny Boy whistled, and into the cage marched those mice like soldiers! It was really a wonderful sight to see.
And the worn and tired looks were gone from so many children’s faces!
Otto’s poor, shrunken, misshaped body shook with laughter. “I want to know how you trained them!” he said. “I want to train them! I want to do everything that well boys do—that you do! And I’m going to learn! Lena is only a girl, and I never had a brother. I think I could even learn spelling and fractions if you would show me how!”
Sonny Boy blushed. He began to say that he was not much for spelling and fractions himself, but Lena touched his foot.
“Spelling and fractions are nothing! I’ll show you how to do them,” said Sonny Boy stoutly.
“And you’ll show me how to straighten my legs, so I can be a soldier, won’t you?” said Otto.
Sonny Boy moved about uneasily on his bow-legs. “It’s queer! I want to be a soldier, too,” he said. “Yes, I’ll show you, Otto.”
“You’re what I’ve been wanting—a well boy!” said Otto, with a happy sigh. “You’re very bright and clever, aren’t you?”
“Oh, no,” began Sonny Boy, but Lena touched his foot again.