feet. Never mind the mud. Take it in with you. Get in out of
the rain!"

I popped in, he and Jip following. Then he slammed the door to
behind us.

The storm had made it dark enough outside; but inside the house,
with the door closed, it was as black as night. Then began the
most extraordinary noise that I have ever heard. It sounded like
all sorts and kinds of animals and birds calling and squeaking
and screeching at the same time. I could hear things trundling
down the stairs and hurrying along passages. Somewhere in the
dark a duck was quacking, a cock was crowing, a dove was cooing,
an owl was hooting, a lamb was bleating and Jip was barking. I
felt birds' wings fluttering and fanning near my face. Things
kept bumping into my legs and nearly upsetting me. The whole
front hall seemed to be filling up with animals. The noise,
together with the roaring of the rain, was tremendous; and I was
beginning to grow a little bit scared when I felt the Doctor take
hold of my arm and shout into my ear.

"Don't be alarmed. Don't be frightened. These are just some of
my pets. I've been away three months and they are glad to see me
home again. Stand still where you are till I strike a light. My
Gracious, what a storm!--Just listen to that thunder!"

So there I stood in the pitch-black dark, while all kinds of
animals which I couldn't see chattered and jostled around me. It
was a curious and a funny feeling. I had often wondered, when I
had looked in from the front gate, what Doctor Dolittle would be