Grand-Daddy Whiskers, M.D. | Page 4

grumbled Grand-daddy.
Again they were off--and again they stopped. This time they were in
the middle of Mr. Giant's clover field.
"Sakes alive, Limpy-toes! Suppose I was on my way to see a sick
mouse? He'd die maybe, or else be all cured, before I could ever get
there."
"Automobiles need lots of twistity," argued Buster. "Mr. Giant has to
twist his automobile. I heard Robert Giant say there was twistity in the
batteries."
"Why doesn't it go this time?" demanded Grand-daddy.
"The key must have bounced out when we struck that big stone near the
ash heap," said Limpy-toes. "I will trot back and find it."
"And I'll take my stout cane and my own strong legs and trot toward
the Lake, if you don't mind," decided Grand-daddy. "You and Buster
can finish your pleasure trip a little at a time, but I have business to
look after and a house to hire before the rest of the family catch up with
us."
He started off at a brisk pace. Buster sat on the front seat and nibbled
ginger cookies, while Limpy-toes limped back to find the lost key.
By-and-by, Buster's cookies were all eaten, so he strolled off to help

Limpy-toes.
"Never mind, Limpy," he said, looking up into his big brother's sad face.
"It is a fine automobile, if you do have to twist it often. We can have
nice rides around the Lake."
But Limpy-toes would not be comforted.
"I wanted an automobile that would fetch Dr. Grand-daddy to his
patients very quickly. I must study until I make better power than this
clock spring. Ah, here is the key! We must hurry, or Uncle Squeaky
will catch up and laugh to find us by the roadside."
Grand-daddy and Pa Field-Mouse were standing on the bungalow steps
talking earnestly together when Limpy-toes drove up.
"A fine automobile, Pa Field-Mouse," said Grand-daddy, waving his
paw. "My grandson is a great inventor; he will be famous some day."
"Ah!" cried Buster, "how good our Gray Rock Bungalow looks! See
the pretty hemlocks and sweet ferns, Limpy."
"Wait until you see the fine house the neighbors have built for me!"
exclaimed Grand-daddy. "They felt sure that I would come. Silvy
would call it Wild Rose Cottage. It is a real bower of roses. Here come
our folk, now. Wait and I'll tell you all about it."
The heavy furniture cart was pulled down the last hill and stopped at
the door of Gray Rock Bungalow. Grand-daddy held up his paw and
hushed the merry chatter of the travellers.
[Illustration: _The heavy furniture cart was pulled down the last hill._]
"Listen!" he cried. "Do not unload my belongings. These kind
woodfolk have made me a splendid house right at the center of their
village. I want Limpy-toes to be my helper and stay with me. If Dot
teaches school, she must come with us, for her scholars live near by.
Granny needs Silvy to help with the housework. She and Dot can be

together and when I need a nurse, Silvy will be right handy."
"A fine plan," agreed Uncle Squeaky, "only our family at the Gray
Rock will be rather small."
"Limpy-toes will fetch us all over in the automobile every evening,"
smiled Silver Ears. "I shall love to help Granny and be with Dot. May
Limpy-toes and I go, Mammy? You will not mind?"
"Surely you may go, dearie," smiled Mother Graymouse bravely. "You
will be happiest where you can do the most good, and Granny needs
you just now."
"With such a small family, Betsey and I can manage the work nicely,"
said Aunt Squeaky.
"Ah, it is good to get back to our woodland home!" cried Uncle
Squeaky. "Many paws will soon set our rooms in order. Then we will
trot over to Wild Rose Cottage and help Dr. Whiskers get his
pine-needle beds ready before moon-rise."
CHAPTER III
GRAND-DADDY BEGINS HIS WORK
"Good-morning to you, Grand-daddy!" said Uncle Squeaky cheerily the
next morning. "How are all the folk at Wild Rose Cottage?"
"Nicely, Hezekiah, nicely," grinned Dr. Whiskers. "Dot and Silvy are
helping Granny make our rooms cosy, and I am going to visit my first
patient."
"I want Limpy-toes to go over to Polly-Wog Bridge and help get my
boat afloat upon the Lake. I mean to catch some fish and have Belindy
fry 'em for dinner."
"Limpy-toes has gone with Nimble-toes to fetch a load of wood. They
will soon be at home. It is only a short walk to Sir Spider's house; I

shall not need Limpy-toes this morning."
[Illustration: _Will you walk into my parlor Dr. Whiskers?"_]
"Is Sir Spider ill?" asked Uncle Squeaky.
"Lady Spider has been cleaning her parlor. She is overtired and ailing
and wishes to see me."
"Hm!" said Uncle