sang this little verse to cheer up poor, sick Billie, and, if you can get
a good singer to sing it for you, it doesn't sound at all bad, I assure
you:

Don't mind if you have to take stuff from a spoon,
'Tis better than having to climb to the moon.
You might make a stumble or else have a tumble,
And then you would fall pretty soon.

We came, little Billie, to make you feel better.
At first we were going to write you a letter;
But we had no ink, dear, so that's why we came here.
We're dry now, but we'll soon be wetter.

Then Billie laughed right out loud, he felt so much better, and he ate
some acorns and the sweet-flag root, nibbling at it with his sharp teeth.
Then a scratching sound was heard on the stump, and who should come up it
but Sister Sallie, with Dr. Possum.

The doctor said "He!" and he said "Hum!" and he said "Ahem!" Then he felt
Billie's pulse and made him put out his tongue. Then Dr. Possum exclaimed:
"Why, this little squirrel isn't sick at all! No, sir! Not at all. My
goodness me; no, indeed! Why, the very idea! Sick? I guess not!"

But Mrs. Bushytail said her little boy had been very ill, and Dr. Possum
answered:

"Well, if he was sick, these little ducks have cured him. They are just as
good at doctoring as I am; yes, indeed; and a thermometer or two besides.
There is no need for me."