WHAT THE WHITE OWL KNEW
Mrs. Owl fluttered out and flew away.
Thirteen-fourteenths was not troubling about Half-term, he was poking his arm through the hole in the trunk at the foot of the tree, trying to find the book.
“We thought it was inside the tree,” said Minora.
“Of course it is, and so is my arm,” said Thirteen-fourteenths, “but I can’t feel it, and I can’t find Half-term’s feet, or I’d tickle his toes. It’s really a good thing he tumbled in, he must make a thorough search.”
But as he spoke Half-term’s head and shoulders appeared in the branches of the tree.
“Wait,” screamed Minora, the Major, and the Fraction.
“Not a bit of it,” cried Half-term. “I’ve had enough of this,” and he pulled and tugged to get himself out.
“The Book of Betty Barber is somewhere inside the tree,” shouted Minora.
“I’m coming out,” said Half-term; but as he spoke something white flew before his eyes, almost striking his face, his foot slipped, and down he fell, grumbling and shouting.
Thirteen-fourteenths started to climb the trunk; but as he looked up something white fluttered in front of his eyes, and he, too, fell down.
“I’ve fallen,” shouted Half-term inside the tree.
“So have I,” called the Fraction, outside.
“It’s that Owl,” shouted Half-term. “Catch her.”
But Mrs. Owl was not to be caught a second time.
“I’ll keep her away until you are up in the branches,” said Minora.
“She’d better keep out of my way,” shouted Half-term.
Minora picked up a big stick, and the Major waved his hat. Mrs. Owl flew away to look for a quieter sleeping place, and Half-term and Thirteen-fourteenths met in the branches of the tree.
Then the Fraction explained about the book; but as Half-term refused to go down inside the tree again, Thirteen-fourteenths had to go himself. But it was of no use, the book was not there.
