Doug stared at the list. His eyes were so fogged that he couldn’t read it. The numbers were immense and they seemed to extend far into the future, not just weeks or months, but ohmigosh, years.

‘Doug, I want you to do me a favor,’ said Grandpa. ‘I want you to take this list and play the part of doctor. I want you to make a series of house calls when school lets out for the day. First of all, go over to your house and see how Tom is doing. Tell him that Grandpa wants him to buy a couple of Eskimo Pies and come over and eat them on the front porch with me this afternoon. Say that to Tom, Doug, and see if his face doesn’t brighten up.’

‘Yes, sir,’ said Doug.

‘Then, later, I want you to go to all the other boys’ houses and see how your friends are doing. Afterward, come back and give me a report, because all those boys who are lying low need something to make them sit up in bed. I’ll be waiting for you. Does that seem fair to you?’

‘Yes, sir,’ said Doug, and stood up. ‘Grandpa, can I say something?’

‘What’s that, Doug?’

‘You’re pretty great, Grandpa.’

Grandpa mused over that for a few moments before saying, ‘Not great, Doug, just perceptive. Have you ever looked that word up in Webster’s Dictionary?’

‘No, sir.’

‘Well, before you leave, open Mr Webster and see what he has to say.’

Chapter Twenty-Seven

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

It was getting late and they were still up in the clock tower, nine boys working and cleaning out the firecracker dust and bits of burnt paper. It made a neat little pile outside the door.

It was a hot evening and all the boys were perspiring and talking under their breath and wishing they were somewhere else, almost wishing they were in school, which would be better than this.

When Doug looked out the clock tower window, he could see Grandpa standing down below, looking up, very quietly.

When Grandpa saw Doug looking down, he nodded at him and gave him the merest wave with the stub of his cigar.

Finally the last twilight was gone and full darkness descended and the janitor came in. There was lubricant to be put on the big cog and wheels of the clock. The boys watched with a mixture of fascination and fear. Here was their nemesis, which they thought they’d defeated, being brought back to life. And, they’d helped. In the weak light from a naked ceiling bulb they watched as the janitor wound up the great spring and stood back. There was a rasping shudder from deep within the great clock’s innards, and as if afflicted, the boys moved away, shivering.