I kept treading on my own coat-tails while I was helping to fetch
the wood up from the cellar. But very soon we had a huge big fire
blazing up the chimney and we hung our wet clothes around on
chairs.

"Now let's cook some supper," said the Doctor.--"You'll stay and
have supper with me, Stubbins, of course?"

Already I was beginning to be very fond of this funny little man
who called me "Stubbins," instead of "Tommy" or "little lad" (I
did so hate to be called "little lad"!) This man seemed to begin
right away treating me as though I were a grown-up friend of his.
And when he asked me to stop and have supper with him I felt
terribly proud and happy. But I suddenly remembered that I had
not told my mother that I would be out late. So very sadly I
answered,

"Thank you very much. I would like to stay, but I am afraid that
my mother will begin to worry and wonder where I am if I don't
get back."

"Oh, but my dear Stubbins," said the Doctor, throwing another log
of wood on the fire, "your clothes aren't dry yet. You'll have to
wait for them, won't you? By the time they are ready to put on
we will have supper cooked and eaten--Did you see where I put my
bag?"

"I think it is still in the hall," I said. "I'll go and see."

I found the bag near the front door. It was made of black