16 Too-Too the Listener

CHAPTER 16 Too-Too the Listener Doctor Dolittle and his animals headed off once more on their journey home.

Doctor Dolittle leaned on the rail at the back of the ship. He watched the Canary Islands fade away. He wondered how the monkeys were doing and what was happening in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Dab-Dab ran up beside him. "Doctor Dolittle," he called. "This ship is beautiful! Have you looked around? It's really quite wonderful. The beds downstairs are made of silk. There are hundreds of pillows and cushions all over the room. There are soft, thick carpets. The dishes are made of silver. There are all sorts of wonderful things to eat, too." "That does sound incredible," Doctor Dolittle said. "There's also a locked room! It has a big heavy door with a large lock. Jip says that's where they must have kept all their treasure. You should come downstairs, Doctor," Dab-Dab said. "Maybe you can open the door." So the doctor went downstairs. Dab-Dab was

right. It was a beautiful ship. Doctor Dolittle had never been anywhere quite so lovely. He found all the animals gathered around the locked door. They were all talking at once, trying to decide what was inside. The doctor turned the handle but it wouldn't open. They all searched the room for a key. They lifted carpets and looked under chairs and tables. They looked in drawers and closets. They discovered many wonderful things but not the key. So they all went back to stand by the door. Jip looked through the keyhole but could not see anything. Then Too-Too said, "Wait, everyone! Please be still for a moment." They all stood quietly. "I think I hear someone inside the room." They all listened again. "I think you're mistaken," said Doctor Dolittle. "I don't hear anything." "I'm sure of it!" the owl said. "Shhh! There it is again. Don't you hear that?"

The doctor and animals all shook their heads. "I'm positive that I can hear someone putting his hand in his pocket," Too-Too said. "That's so silly," Dab-Dab said. "How could you hear that? That makes almost no sound." "I most certainly can hear that!" Too-Too said. "I could hear the sound a kitten makes when she shuts her eyes. I'm telling you, there's someone on the other side of this door putting his hand in his pocket!" "Well then, what is happening now?" Doctor Dolittle asked. "I'm not sure," Too-Too said. "Hold me up near the keyhole so I can hear more." The doctor held lifted the owl up and held him close to the lock of the door. After a moment or two, Too-Too said, "He's now rubbing his face with his left hand. It's a small hand and a small face. Now he's pushing his hair from his face." "Is there anything else?" the doctor asked.

"He is sad. I can hear that he is weeping. He is being careful to not make any noise, but I can hear the tears fall." "If the poor fellow is unhappy," said Doctor Dolittle, "we've got to get in and see what is the matter with him. Someone, quick! Find me an ax. I'll chop the door down!"