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"Come out and talk," said Highboy. Lowboy obeyed at once. He was short and fat not half so tall as his brother, but twice as big around and he was dressed exactly like Highboy except that his necktie was red whereas Highboy's tie was green. "I knew she'd bring you," said Lowboy, pointing to Hortense. "I could see she was friendly." "She may only be a meddlesome child," said White Owl.
But though small, Kris was as fast as lightning and darted here and there, evading Grater's blows and putting in quick stabs. Although Grater came more and more to resemble a sieve, he still stood his ground with his back to the door, and until he was forced aside, escape was impossible. Lowboy then displayed a courage and intelligence which his fondness for poor jokes led nobody to expect.
Grater had seized the moment while their backs were turned to free himself of the cords which bound him and was running rapidly up the tunnel. "He'll close the door on us!" Malay Kris shouted, and set off in pursuit. With dismay Hortense and Andy perceived that they must meet Jeremiah's attack, for Highboy and Lowboy were of no use in a fight.
So, too, was Hortense, and she did not awaken in the morning until ten o'clock when the sun was shining high. Her only thought was of Tom and Jerry and what might have become of them, until she tried to open a drawer in the highboy to find a dress when she also remembered that Highboy and Lowboy were imprisoned. The drawer wouldn't open; it was stuck fast. So, too, were the other drawers.
"I think," said Hortense, "that every one should go with us to-night, Coal, Ember, Malay Kris, Owl, and even Alligator. For you see, not only do we have to free Highboy and Lowboy from the Little People, but we have to bring them safely home." Andy thought for a moment.
"Then you'd better talk with my brother, Lowboy," said Highboy tartly. "He's always cheery. Nothing depresses me so much as people who are always cheerful. Tiresome, I say." "You could learn much from your brother," said Hortense severely. "Why don't you go down and see him now? I'm sure it would do you good." Highboy shivered. "It's so cold and dark in the hall," he said.
Lowboy's mouth began to droop at the corners; his eyes closed and round tears, like marbles, began to roll down his cheeks. Highboy hastened to offer him a handkerchief. "You musn't cry, you know," said Highboy, "or you'll warp yourself maybe even stain your varnish." "Then I'll abstain," said Lowboy, and was so pleased with his pun that he at once began to laugh.
"Oh, please don't fight!" cried Hortense. "However can you chase the cat if you do?" "That's the first sensible remark any one has made," said White Owl. "I apologize," said Coal to Ember. "Let's not fight unless there's nothing else to do." "Fighting is an occupation for those who don't think," said White Owl. Lowboy nudged his brother. "Talks just like a copy book, doesn't he?" said Lowboy.
On her way to supper, however, she looked into the cooky jar and found it full to the top. She very carefully counted out fifty-two cookies and carried them up to her room in her apron. That night, when all was still and Andy had come by his usual route through the basement, Hortense took him and Lowboy to her room. "What's up to-night?" asked Lowboy. "Oh, I see, upstairs."
At the tenth, Highboy remarked that thirteen would be all he would want. "I'll break my top off or lose a handle," said he, "but it's a nice game." "What's happening to me?" asked Lowboy, after taking a bite of his thirteenth. "Don't eat any more," Hortense warned him. "How could I?" asked Lowboy. "I'm not a storeroom or a wardrobe trunk!
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