Grand-Daddy Whiskers, M.D. | Page 3

her tea.
After supper the little mice had to show Nimble-toes all the wonderful
toys that Uncle and Grand-daddy had brought from the city.
Uncle Squeaky began to pull out boxes and bags in which to pack his
shirts and neckties.
"Hurrah, Grand-daddy!" he cried. "I'm as excited as the kiddies. Bless
my stars, but they are giving Nimble-toes a jolly good time! Pond Lily
Lake until snow flies ah, but it's a great country down there!"
"I'm a-thinking if I do much doctoring and we fetch greedy Buster,
little Squealer, and those mischievous twinnies of yours home safe and
sound, that it will not be all vacation fun between now and snow-time,"
said Grand-daddy. "Better tuck the kiddies into the blankets early,
Hezekiah. We have a busy day ahead of us on the morrow."
CHAPTER II
BACK TO THE LAKE
Their attic home was a bare-looking place by the next evening. All day
long the little mice had trotted down the dark subway, carrying their
treasures to the entrance near Mr. Giant's back doorstep. Here was
hidden the cart which Grand-daddy had made from a stout box and four
big spools. It was piled high with furniture, boxes of food and clothing,
and all sorts of supplies.
Dot and Silver Ears had rummaged in Mrs. Giant's trunk and chosen
pretty pieces of cloth from which they could make dainty summer
gowns. Aunt Squeaky and Mother Graymouse had spent the day baking
ginger cookies, jelly tarts, and other goodies. Granny Whiskers had

helped Grand-daddy make a stout bag and packed it with his precious
medicines.
Near their furniture cart stood the wonderful automobile which
Limpy-toes had invented and built in the long winter evenings. He had
taken the wheels and springs from an old clock in the attic. The whole
family was quite proud of Limpy-toes' automobile. Early the next
morning, he meant to make a trial trip and take Dr. Grand-daddy to the
Lake.
"Please let me ride with you and Grand-daddy, Limpy-toes?" begged
Buster.
"Better not, Buster Boy," grinned Uncle Squeaky. "There's a whole
load of goodies on our cart. Mammy and Aunt Belindy baked lots of
good stuff to eat."
"Mammy will give me some cakes in my pocket. I want to ride in the
automobile. Please let me, Limpy?"
"All right," agreed Limpy-toes good-naturedly. "Cousin Nimble-toes
may ride also."
Nimble-toes opened his eyes wide.
"Excuse me, if you please, Limpy-toes," he said quickly. "I will help
Uncle Squeaky pull the cart. I'm sort of scared of a cart that'll go
without pulling or pushing. It may run away with you."
"And it may have to be pushed or pulled," teased Uncle Squeaky.
"It is every bit as good as Mr. Giant's automobile," insisted Buster. "I'm
not the leastest bit scared. I know it will go whizzing. Ah, what sport
we will have!"
"Grand-daddy will start very early, for he must find a house near his
patients. If you wish to ride with Limpy-toes, you must trot off to bed
right now, Buster," decided Mother Graymouse. "Aunt Belindy and I

are going down cellar to say good-by to Polly Scrabble and her babies."
Next morning, while the Giant family were sound asleep, Grand-daddy,
Limpy-toes and Buster tip-toed softly down to the entrance.
"Do not make too much noise cranking your automobile, Limpy-toes,"
whispered Grand-daddy. "We do not wish to disturb Mr. Giant."
Limpy-toes pushed in the key and began to wind the stiff spring.
"See if you can turn it any more, Grand-daddy. Perhaps your paws are
stronger than mine."
Grand-daddy gave it several twists. Then Limpy-toes hopped upon the
seat and grasped the wheel.
"All aboard for Pond Lily Lake!" he called gaily. Grand-daddy and
Buster scrambled in. The automobile made a dash through the
chrysanthemum bushes into the driveway. On and on they sped, past
the new barn, by the poultry houses and the sweet apple tree.
Grand-daddy pulled his cap closer.
"Ah!" cried Buster, "this is fun. But is it running away, Limpy-toes?"
"Oh, no, I am steering it and can stop any minute," answered
Limpy-toes.
"A wonderful invention," praised Grand-daddy. "Now if any creature is
sick, Dr. Whiskers will be there in a jiffy. Ah! What is the trouble,
Limpy-toes?"
The automobile had come to a sudden stop at the edge of Mr. Giant's
orchard.
"It has stopped," explained Limpy-toes.
"So I see," chuckled Grand-daddy.
[Illustration: _"All aboard for Pond Lily Lake!" he called gaily._]

"I'll crank it up." So Limpy-toes pushed in the key and wound, and
wound, and wound. Then they started on again.
"Runs fine," said Grand-daddy.
"'Most takes my breath away," gasped Buster. "Say, Limpy-toes, why
are we stopping?"
"Run down again, I guess," sighed Limpy-toes.
"Must we stop every few minutes and wear our paws out cranking it up
forty-'leven times?"