Dick, Marjorie and Fidge, A Search for the Wonderful Dodo

Excerpt: "“Dick! Dick! Wake up, I want to tell you something.” Marjorie stood outside the boy’s bedroom door, and called in as loud a whisper as she dared, fearing lest she should awaken the rest of the household. There was a scuffle and a patter of bare feet inside, and Dick appeared at the door rubbing his eyes, evidently only half awake. “What’s up?” he demanded. “Hush! don’t make a noise. There’s such a2 funny sound down-stairs—I believe it’s burglars. Listen!” “Pooh! this time in the morning. What nonsense.” “Well it’s been going on for ever so long, anyhow, and hark, there’s something keeps banging about like anything in the breakfast-room.” Dick ran to the top of the stairs and listened. Sure enough, there was a most mysterious noise going on below,—a dull banging at regular intervals, and a curious lapping sound, as though there was water in the lower part of the house. “Let’s go and see what’s up!” said Dick promptly. “Me too,” said a shrill treble voice, and a little curly-headed apparition came running out of the bedroom, flourishing a wooden spade. “No! you cut along into bed again, Fidge,” cried Dick. “Want to go and see the bur-ge-lers!” declared Fidge, pushing past them, and racing down the stairs. “Come back, you scamp,” cried Dick, running3 after him; but with a saucy and defiant laugh Fidge sped down to the first landing. “Ooh!” he cried, looking over the banisters, “It’s all drownded; look, Dick! quick!” Dick and Marjorie hurried down and leaned over the banisters too. “Hullo! what a lark!” exclaimed Dick. “There’s been a high tide, and the house is flooded. Come on, this is ripping!” and the boy dashed down-stairs, followed by the others. The breakfast-room door stood open, and, wading ankle deep in water, the children soon reached it. An extraordinary sight met their eyes."