barrel and----"

"I had to, Mother, 'cause I was making believe the steamer was on the
rough ocean where the water is ten miles deep," interrupted Laddie. "So I
rolled the barrel and joggled it and----"

"And then it fell in!" added Rose. "I saw it."

"I _felt_ it," remarked Russ, rubbing his back. "But it didn't hurt me
much," he added.

"I guess the barrel was so old and dry that it couldn't hold together when
you two boys got to playing with it," said Mrs. Bunker. "Well, I'm glad it
was no worse. At first it sounded as though the house was coming down. You
had better play some other game now."

"Oh, the rain has stopped!" cried Rose, looking out of a window. "We can
play out in the yard now."

"Yes, I believe you can," said her mother. "But you must put on your
rubbers, for the ground is damp. Run out and play!"

With shouts of glee and laughter the six little Bunkers started to go
outdoors. It was a warm day, late in June, and even the rain had not made
it too cool for them to be out.

As the six children trooped out on the side porch they saw their father
coming up the walk.

"Why, it isn't supper time, and daddy's coming home!" exclaimed Rose.