Hugh Lofting: Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary

'Is it 'ome to Puddleby now, Doc?' he asked.

'Yes, Cheapside,' replied the Doctor. 'It's home to Puddleby at last! I'm ready for a good long rest by the fire–side.'

'Hoh! Hoh!' laughed the sparrow. 'If it's rest you want, Doc, better not go 'ome. The 'ouse looks like a bloomin' 'ospital, it does—since some gossipin' bluejays passed the word around that you might be comin' back. Rabbits with busted paws sleepin' all over the place, 'orses with 'eaves lodgin' two to a stall in the stable, and a sneakin' weasel with her 'ole brood a' nasty little brats coughin' their 'eads off under the 'ouse.'

'Oh, dear,' sighted the Doctor. 'Then I must get there quickly. I'd feel terrible if one of them should die because it hadn't had the proper care.'

Jack would listen to nothing else but that he should drive the whole party home to Puddleby.

'Oh, I couldn't let you do that,' said John Dolittle. 'You see, we must go to Greenheath first and collect the rest of my family.'

'Well, that's all right,' the coach man said. 'Greenheath is on the way to Puddleby.'

'But there must be other passengers on the road waiting for you at this very moment,' said the Doctor.

'Probably,' said Jack. 'But I'm so late now it doesn't matter. The twelve o'clock coach will be along shortly and can pick up anyone bound for London. Besides,' Jack continued, 'you saved my life and I'd like to show my gratitude in some small way. Hop in, and we'll get started.'

'Well,' said the Doctor, hesitating. 'If you're sure it will be all right we'd be delighted to go home in such splendour. My, my! Our own private coach! Won't Gub–Gub be surprised. Come along, Steve and Pippinella.'

'We don't want to be a bother, Doctor,' said the window–cleaner. 'Pip and I can go up to London and—'

'Nonsense!' declared the Doctor. 'There's plenty of room at Puddleby. You can finish your book and enjoy some of Dab–Dab's excellent cooking at the same time. There is nothing she likes better than to have a company of hungry people around her table. Now, now,' he continued as Steve began to protest further. 'I won't hear of anything else. Get aboard everybody. We're off for Greenheath and home—home to Puddleby at last!'

THE END