Jimmy and Laura set up an extra bed in Jimmy’s room because their cousin Ron and his father were coming for the holidays. Uncle Ken was a professor and was extremely absent-minded.
The children’s mother had warned them about Uncle Ken’s habit of forgetting things and getting confused. They were looking forward to a great deal of fun with Uncle Ken around.
Uncle Ken drove up next morning with Ron beside him and a large number of suitcases in the back. Promptly after getting out, Uncle Ken began to hunt among the suitcases for a book he needed urgently.
Mother and Father tried to get him and Ron and all the bags into the house but he insisted on littering the driveway with everything he pulled out. Finally, he beamed at them, having found the book!
“I brought it for the children!” he announced, “It’s all about butterflies and beetles and all kinds of fascinating things! I shall take them for a Nature walk.”
The children thanked him and pushed him into the house, while they helped Father take all the stuff in. A room had been prepared for Uncle Ken and his stuff. Father had said, “It’s best to keep him in a separate room. You never know what he will be up to!”
After a peaceful lunch the children came out to play in the garden. They had a wonderful time climbing up trees, eating apples and telling stories. They decided that they would explore the woods on the hill near by very soon.
But when they came in for tea, the house was in an uproar. Father, Mother and Uncle Ken had turned the place upside down searching for something.
“What is it now, Papa?” asked Ron who was quite used to the confusion caused by his father.
“The key!” said Uncle Ken, “The key is missing!” Ron asked him, “What key? Where did you put it?”
“What do you mean, young man? Where does one put keys?” demanded Uncle Ken. He was looking perfectly demented, with his hair in disorder, his shirt hanging out and bare feet. “Last time you put one of the keys in the sugar bowl, Papa,” said Ron.
“That wasn’t I! It was Mrs Hodges, the housekeeper!” he announced, hunting behind the sofa cushions.
Mother decided that it was better to have tea. So she firmly led Uncle Ken to the table, saying they would continue the search after tea. Ron went to change his clothes and came back holding a key.
“You had put it inside my socks, Papa!” he announced.
