“If you want me to.” Llona was still bewildered at the response she had evoked. “But it’s really working out okay and I don’t see any reason”
“Reason,” E. Z. groaned.
“Now don’t overexcite yourself, E. Z.” Neva Holdkumb glared at Llona accusingly.
“We’re going back on The Pill!” Archer told Llona through clenched teeth. “We’re going to use The Company Pill! The rhythm method is useless. Right?”
“I don’t—” Suddenly it dawned on Llona. “Oh! Yes-yes! Of course,” she babbled. “That’s right. We ain’t got rhythm. The Pill! The Company Pill! Yes-yes-yes!”
“I think Archer and I should discuss this alone for a few moments.” E. Z. got to his feet. “Will you come into my study with me, Archer?” He shook his head doubtfully at Llona and led the way.
“Of course, sir.” Archer followed him quickly, pausing just long enough to shoot Llona a look that said she should keep her mouth shut while he was gone.
“You don’t mind if I leave you alone for a few moments, do you, dear?” The “dear” tripping off Mrs. Holdkumb’s lips was like the coup de gâce from the officer in charge of the firing squad. “I just want to go into the kitchen and fix some crépes suzette for Trikkidikki’s dinner.”
“Of course. I’ll be fine,” Llona murmured.
When she was alone, Llona stretched to her feet and wandered around the room, berating herself silently for her lack of tact. She had her back to the sofa when Trikkidikki emerged from beneath it. Nor did she see him hop up onto the seat of the chair she’d vacated and burrow under the cushions. There was no way she could have known he was there when she sat back down—hard!
Mrs. Holdkumb returned at the same time as E. Z. and Archer. “Trikkidikki,” she called. “Come and get your dindin! Here, Trikkidikki. Now where can that naughty dog be hiding?”
“He’s probably still under the couch.” E. Z. got down on his hands and knees and peered under the sofa.
“Maybe I can spot him.” Archer joined him.
“Here, Here Trikkidikki ”
Llona shifted in her chair. She felt a slight bump that hadn’t been there before. She groped under the cushion. Horror spread over her face as her worst suspicions were confirmed.
“Here, Here, . . .” Mr. and Mrs. Holdkumb scrambled around the room, bending to look under the furniture. “Here, . . .”
Llona sat very still, immobilized by the realization of what had happened. She was incapable of movement, of speech, even of coherent thought. And all the time this zany verse the kids used to chant baek in grade school kept repeating itself in her mind like a broken record:
Ooey Gooey was a worm.
Ooey Gooey, he did squirm.
He squirmed in front; he squirmed in back.
He squirmed across the railroad track.
Ooey Gooey!
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN