The Dancing Cow

           Jane,withherheadtiedupinMaryPoppins’sbandannahandkerchief,wasinbedwithearache.

           "Whatdoesitfeellike?"Michaelwantedtoknow.

           "Likegunsgoingoffinsidemyhead,"saidJane.

           "Cannons?"

           "No,pop-guns."

           "Oh,"saidMichael.Andhealmostwishedhecouldhaveearache,too.Itsoundedsoexciting.

           "ShallItellyouastoryoutofoneofthebooks?"saidMichael,goingtothebookshelf.

           "No.Ijustcouldn’tbearit,"saidJane,holdingherearwithherhand.

           "Well,shallIsitatthewindowandtellyouwhatishappeningoutside?"

           "Yes,do,"saidJane.

           SoMichaelsatalltheafternoononthewindow-seattellinghereverythingthatoccurredintheLane.Andsometimeshisaccountswereverydullandsometimesveryexciting.

           "There’sAdmiralBoom!"hesaidonce."HehascomeoutofhisgateandishurryingdowntheLane.Herehecomes.Hisnoseisredderthaneverandhe’swearingatop-hat.NowheispassingNextDoor—"

           "Ishesaying’Blastmygizzard!’?"enquiredJane.

           "Ican’thear.Iexpectso.There’sMissLark’ssecondhousemaidinMissLark’sgarden.AndRobertsonAyisinourgarden,sweepinguptheleavesandlookingatheroverthefence.Heissittingdownnow,havingarest."

           "Hehasaweakheart,"saidJane.

           "Howdoyouknow?"

           "Hetoldme.Hesaidhisdoctorsaidhewastodoaslittleaspossible.AndIheardDaddysayifRobertsonAydoeswhathisdoctortoldhimtohe’llsackhim.Oh,howitbangsandbangs!"saidJane,clutchingherearagain.

           "Hulloh!"saidMichaelexcitedlyfromthewindow.

           "Whatisit?"criedJane,sittingup."Dotellme."

           "Averyextraordinarything.