The boys made it back without extremity-injuries-slash-losses and without getting verbally or physically abused by Mrs Gnome-hater and didn't get assaulted them by someone jumping out of the shrubbery. Cal's hands were fine, as were his knees - it had been a truly positively uneventful walk, made enjoyable by David's company.
Mr Schubert trotted straight into the kitchen as soon as the leash came off, knowing that he was pretty much king of this tiny castle if the old lady wasn't around. The little human had no power whatsoever and neither did the other mean little human even though that one was harder to push over.
Cal didn't bother protesting - the dog would just give him the evil eye and release a dose of deadly gas - and took his time putting the coats back on hangers.
"I gotta feed Mr Schubert and that'll take a while. But you should go sleep," he said, turning the key in the lock before he pulled it halfway out. And not get up until noon, he didn't add. David probably slept less than Miss Ella and that couldn't be healthy - just look at how grumpy she always was. If David turned out like her, it'd be awful.