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

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?" 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