"Everyone says that Simon is ill-natured. He is a giant beside you,
Grand-daddy," she said.

Grand-daddy grew impatient. "I was wondering whether I wished to visit
Simon, but I'll be blamed, Hezekiah, if I'm going to be bossed by a lot of
women mice! A doctor must be brave. I'll risk it. I'm on my way to Skunk
Avenue," and away marched Grand-daddy.

Mrs. Dinah Skunk was watching for Dr. Whiskers.

"Oh, hurry!" she cried. "Simon has wheezed all night and can hardly
breathe."

"A strange time o' year to have asthma, Simon," grinned Dr. Whiskers.
"Wheezes mostly come in cold weather."

"Too much woods smoke," gasped poor Simon.

"Ah, I see! Well, let me rub this grease into your chest. You must take
two of these pills every half hour until you stop wheezing."

"Haven't any clock," growled Simon.

"How shall I know when to give him the pills, doctor?" asked Dinah.

Grand-daddy scratched his head. He did not wish to lend his watch.

"It takes half an hour to trot from here to Polly-Wog Bridge and back," he
decided. "Send a little Skunk to the bridge and give Simon two pills every
time the little Skunk gets home. It will keep that little Skunk out of