She went bounding up the path to the house, and after her went the Kid, yelling epithets which were a bit shocking for one of his age.
So he came to the porch just when Chip and the Little Doctor reached it, white-faced and trembling.

Adeline paused to squeeze under the steps, and the Kid catching her by the tail, dragged her back yowling.

While his astounded parents watched him unbelievingly, the Kid gripped Adeline firmly and started up the steps.
"I ketched the son-a-gun!" he cried jubilantly.
"Say, I seen a skink, Daddy Chip, and I frowed a rock and knocked his block off 'cause he was going to swipe my grub.

Was you s'prised, Doctor Dell ?" Doctor Dell did not say.

Doctor Dell was kneeling on the porch floor with the Kid held closer in her arms than ever he held the cat, and she was crying and laughing and kissing him all at once--though nobody except a mother can perform that feat..