Not long after Johnny departed for his tennis lesson, Mrs Wilkins finished doing the dishes and turned to look at Billy.
“What’s wrong, child? You look flushed? Are you sick?”
“No, Mrs Wilkins. I’m fine … really I am.”.
“I’ll be the judge of that. Let’s see how you feel.”
Feeling his forehead, she remarked:
“You seem a bit feverish, young man. Why don’t we take you upstairs and take your temperature. Come on, give me your hand.”
She took him by the hand and led him upstairs.
Along the way he continued telling her he was fine but allowed himself to be led to her bedroom wondering what was really going to happen. When she disappeared into the bathroom and reappeared a minute later carrying a thermometer and a jar of Vaseline, he realized she had other plans.