"Can you talk in squirrel language?" I asked.

"Oh yes. That's quite an easy language," said the Doctor. "You
could learn that yourself without a great deal of trouble. But
why do you ask?"

"Because I have a sick squirrel at home," I said. "I took it away
from a hawk. But two of its legs are badly hurt and I wanted
very much to have you see it, if you would. Shall I bring it
to-morrow?"

"Well, if its leg is badly broken I think I had better see it
to-night. It may be too late to do much; but I'll come home with
you and take a look at it."

So presently we felt the clothes by the fire and mine were found
to be quite dry. I took them upstairs to the bedroom and
changed, and when I came down the Doctor was all ready waiting
for me with his little black bag full of medicines and bandages.

"Come along," he said. "The rain has stopped now."

Outside it had grown bright again and the evening sky was all red
with the setting sun; and thrushes were singing in the garden as
we opened the gate to go down on to the road.



THE FIFTH CHAPTER