He must go . But poor little Jimmy ! It was too bad for him to be left all alone . `` I would n't like it myself , '' said Ted miserably , trying to swallow a lump that persisted in coming up in his throat . `` It must be dreadful to have to lie on the sofa all the time and never be able to run , climb trees or play , or do a single thing . And Jimmy does n't like reading much . He 'll be dreadful lonesome . I 'll be thinking of him all the time at the picnic -- I know I will . I suppose I could go and stay with him , if I just made up my mind to it . '' Making up his mind to it was a slow and difficult process . But when Ted was finally dressed in his shabby , `` skimpy '' Sunday best , he tucked his precious fiddle under his arm and slipped downstairs . `` Please , I think I 'll go and stay with Jimmy , '' he said to Mrs. Jackson timidly , as he always spoke to her . `` Well , if you 're to waste the afternoon , I s ` pose it 's better to waste it that way than in going to a picnic and eating yourself sick , '' was Mrs. Jackson 's ungracious response . Ted reached Mrs. Ross 's little house just as that good lady was locking the door on Jimmy and the cat . `` Well , I 'm real glad , '' she said , when Ted told her he had come to stay . `` I 'd have worried most awful if I 'd had to leave Jimmy all alone . He 's crying in there this minute . Come now , Jimmy , dry up . Here 's Ted come to stop with you after all , and he 's brought his fiddle , too . '' Jimmy 's tears were soon dried , and he welcomed Ted joyfully .
`` I 've been thinking awful long to hear you fiddling , '' said Jimmy , XXXXX a sigh of content .
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