Mr. Peabody waited, but when he heard no sound coming from inside his daughter's room, he opened the door and went inside.
Joey was still sleeping in her bed. The canine walked to her and said, "Josephine, wake up, sweetie."
Joey just turned over.
Mr. Peabody walked to the other side of the bed and gently shook her arm. "Josephine..."
Joey opened her eyes. Hoarsely, she said, "Mr. Peabody, I don't feel well. Can I sleep?"
Mr. Peabody put his paw on her forehead. "Oh, dear. You have a fever. Stay there. I'll call the school and tell them you're not going today."
He left the room and soon came back. Joey had fallen back asleep. He decided he would let her keep sleeping.
Later, Joey walked into the living room, where Mr. Peabody was doing a puzzle. When he saw her, he asked, "Hello. Are you feeling any better?"
The girl shook her head.
"Why don't you go lie back down, and I'll make you some soup."
Joey did as he said, and Mr. Peabody came in later with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and orange juice. Before she ate, he took her temperature, which was fairly high. "Stay in bed until you're better. You need lots of fluids and rest."
"My throat hurts."
"Don't speak. I'll make you some hot tea with honey."
When she was done eating, Mr. Peabody took the dishes and left the room. Later, he reentered with a steaming cup of tea. As Joey drank it, the canine said, "Drink slowly. This should help your throat."
Joey finished drinking the tea, and she lied back down on her bed. Mr. Peabody took the empty cup and stated, "Get some more sleep. If you need anything, come tell me. I'll check on you later."
Before he could leave, Joey raspily cried, "Wait!"
Mr. Peabody turned around, startled. Joey sat up and held out her arms. The canine sat beside her and set the cup on the nightstand next to that side of the bed. Joey hugged her father and buried her head in his chest. Mr. Peabody held her, quietly, until she fell asleep.
Two days later, Joey was completely better and was able to go to school. "Thank you, Mr. Peabody," she told her father before they left the penthouse.
"For what, Josephine?"
"For taking care of me."
"You're very welcome."
"Everything you did helped, but holding me helped the most."
Mr. Peabody smiled at his daughter, tenderly. "It was no trouble, Josephine. Any time you need me, I'm here."