Stanley Flat Again!. Jeff Brown

the hose from his mouth. ‘Owww! That really hurts! It wasn’t like that before. We’d better stop.’

      ‘Now what?’ Arthur said. ‘We can’t just hide in here forever, you know.’

      Mrs Lambchop’s call came again. ‘Boys! Please come!’

      ‘Do me a favour,’ Stanley said. ‘You tell them. Sort of get them ready, okay?’

      ‘Okay,’ said Arthur, and went to tell.

      Arthur stood in the kitchen doorway. ‘Hey, guess what?’ he said.

      ‘Hay is for horses, dear,’ said Mrs Lambchop. ‘Good morning! Breakfast is ready.’

      ‘School, Arthur,’ Mr Lambchop said from behind his newspaper. ‘Where’s Stanley?’

      ‘Guess what?’ Arthur said again.

      Mrs Lambchop sighed. ‘Oh, all right! I can’t guess. Tell.’

      ‘Stanley’s flat again,’ said Arthur. Mr Lambchop put down his paper.

      Mrs Lambchop closed her eyes. ‘Flat again? Is that what you said?’

      ‘Yes,’ said Arthur.

      ‘It’s true.’ Stanley stood now beside Arthur in the doorway. ‘Just look.’

      ‘Good grief !’ said Mr Lambchop. ‘I can’t believe that bulletin board –’

      ‘It didn’t fall on me this time,’ Stanley said. ‘I just got flat. Arthur tried to pump me up, like before, but it hurt too much.’

      ‘Oh, Stanley!’ Mrs Lambchop ran to kiss him. ‘How do you feel now?’

      ‘Fine, actually,’ Stanley said. ‘Just surprised. Can I go to school?’

      Mrs Lambchop thought for a moment. ‘Very well. Eat your breakfast. After school we’ll hear what Dr Dan has to say.’