The next day, Dr. Kirby showed up to see how Beaver and his tonsils were doing. He showed up after Wally and Ward left for school and work. Beaver hadn't moved from his bed, so he wasn't going anywhere.

"Mom, what do you think Dr. Kirby will say?" Beaver asked as they both heard the doorbell ring.

"I don't know, Beaver. That must be Dr. Kirby now. I'll be right back."

"All right, Mom."

When Beaver said that, June was already heading to the front door since she didn't see Ward and Wally leave the house, but Ward offered to drive him again.

"Please come in, Dr. Kirby."

"Thank you, Mrs. Cleaver. How are Beaver and his tonsils doing?"

"Beaver sounds a lot better since the last time you were here."

"Glad to hear it. Let me check out for myself," Beaver heard the doctor say.

June was right – Beaver was feeling a lot better.

Dr. Kirby walked in the bedroom.

"Good – morning, Beaver. Your mother was just telling me you're feeling a lot better."

"Yes, sir. Does that mean I will still have that operation?"

"Not until I check you out," was his answer.

June stayed by the bedroom door as the doctor looked at Beaver.

"Open your mouth."

So Beaver did what he was asked. He looked for a while.

"What do you think, Dr. Kirby?" June asked.

"I agree with you, Mrs. Cleaver."

"Dad shared a story when he was growing up and went through the same thing," Beaver told Dr. Kirby.

"Times have changed since, Beaver."

"Am I still going to have that operation?" he asked a second time.

"No. You look like you have done everything your mother told you."

"When can Beaver go back to school?"

"Monday. It's only Friday. I'm happy you don't need that operation, Beaver."

"But I wanted to eat a lot of ice cream and have pretty nurses," Beaver started to complain. Remembering Ward's story.

"It might've worked for your father, but not you."

Beaver felt disappointed about missing more school.

"I'll be right back, Beaver. I'm going to let Dr. Kirby out of the house."

"Okay, Mom."

He listened as June and Dr. Kirby said good – bye. She returned to the bedroom.

"Isn't that wonderful news, Beaver? You don't need to eat a lot of ice cream after all."

"That's too bad, Mom. I wanted pretty nurses and gifts," he complained.

Lunchtime came before Beaver and June knew it. They both heard the phone ring. She was downstairs again to answer the phone. It was only Ward.

"Hello, June. I'm on my way home."

"What for, Ward?"

"Lunch. I'd like to see how Beaver's doing."

"We can talk about it when you come back," June told him.

"I'll be over soon, June."

When June hung up the phone, she once again returned to the bedroom.

"Did Dr. Kirby forget something, Mom?"

"It wasn't Dr. Kirby, Beaver. Your father is coming home for lunch and we'll talk about it."

"You mean about the operation?"

"Yes, but your father still can finish his story he shared."

"Even without Wally?"

"Even Wally can miss out on story time."

"He seemed to enjoy hearing the story too."

"A story is better than having something you don't need."

"But I still want to get it, no matter what."

Just wait until Wally hears about this, Beaver told himself, which he probably would. Beaver stopped his complaining. June didn't have t keep hearing that from him.

"I'll go get you some juice and Jello to go with it."

He didn't reply. At least Ward would pass this over to Wally anyway.

June was starting to get the Jello and juice just as Ward was driving in. He decided to leave the car in the driveway this time.

"Hello, June. How is the Beaver?" Ward asked.

"Dr. Kirby showed up."

"What did he say about an operation?"

"He doesn't need one after all, but Beaver's pretty disappointed after you and Pearl told him that story," she answered.

"That's great news, June. I guess I don't need to call Pearl to come over and share more the story," Ward replied.

"Even Wally would be happy hearing this news. I'll tell him when he's done with school. Did Dr. Kirby say when he could go back to school?"

"Monday," June answered as he gave her a hug as she returned it.

"Ward. Would you mind giving these to Beaver?"

"Of course."

So he took the glass of orange juice and plate of Jello and carried them to the bedroom without dropping it on the floor.

"Your mother told me about the visit with Dr. Kirby. How does that sound, Beaver?"

Beaver thanked him and answered, "It's not fair, Dad. I wanted to be like you to have all the ice cream I can eat along with those gifts and pretty nurses."

Ward laughed.

"You don't need to have an operation just for that. What did Dr. Kirby tell you?"

"It worked for you, but it won't work for me."

"He's right, Beaver. I'm sure you'll be excited to going back to school and be with your friends. You'll have to make sure you make up for homework."

"I get schoolwork instead of having that operation. How fun is that?"

Beaver began to drink his orange juice and eat some of the Jello.

"The rest of the story finishes with an operation I needed with those pretty nurses. You can call your friends tonight and share this good news."

"I thought about the same thing once Dr. Kirby left."

Ward stayed until Beaver finished the Jello and juice.

"Do you want anymore?"

"No, thank you, Dad."

June had made leftover chicken and put it as a sandwich. Ward returned with the plate and glass.

"I told Beaver that he could use the phone tonight and pass the good news to his friends," he told June.

"That's a good thing so they can hear his voice," she agreed.

"Yes. I know Wally would also be happy about the news."

"Yes," June agreed.

It didn't take Ward very long to eat that chicken sandwich.

"I'd better get back to work, June. I'll see you tonight."

"See you then, Ward."