TEXT: Chapter 4 - A message from Africa

THE FOURTH CHAPTER

A MESSAGE FROM AFRICA

THAT Winter was a very cold one.  And one night in December,
when they were all sitting round the warm fire in the
kitchen, and the Doctor was reading aloud to them out of
books he had written himself in animal-language, the owl,
Too-Too, suddenly said, "Sh!  What's that noise outside?"

They all listened; and presently they heard
the sound of some one running.  Then the door
flew open and the monkey, Chee-Chee, ran in,
badly out of breath.

"Doctor!" he cried, "I've just had a message
from a cousin of mine in Africa.  There is a
terrible sickness among the monkeys out there.
They are all catching it--and they are dying
in hundreds.  They have heard of you, and beg
you to come to Africa to stop the sickness."

"Who brought the message?" asked the Doctor,
taking off his spectacles and laying down
his book.

"A swallow," said Chee-Chee.  "She is
outside on the rain-butt."

"Bring her in by the fire," said the Doctor.
"She must be perished with the cold.  The swallows
flew South six weeks ago!"

So the swallow was brought in, all huddled
and shivering; and although she was a little
afraid at first, she soon got warmed up and sat
on the edge of the mantelpiece and began to talk.

When she had finished the Doctor said,

"I would gladly go to Africa--especially in
this bitter weather.  But I'm afraid we haven't
money enough to buy the tickets.  Get me the
money-box, Chee-Chee."

So the monkey climbed up and got it off the
top shelf of the dresser.

There was nothing in it--not one single penny!

"I felt sure there was two pence left," said the Doctor.

"There WAS," said the owl.  "But you spent
it on a rattle for that badger's baby when he
was teething."

"Did I?" said the Doctor--"dear me, dear
me!  What a nuisance money is, to be sure!
Well, never mind.  Perhaps if I go down to
the seaside I shall be able to borrow a boat that
will take us to Africa.  I knew a seaman once
who brought his baby to me with measles.
Maybe he'll lend us his boat--the baby got well."

So early the next morning the Doctor went
down to the seashore.  And when he came back
he told the animals it was all right--the sailor
was going to lend them the boat.
[...]