Led by Russ, Mrs. Bunker and Norah hurried down to the brook that ran
through the green meadow. It was just like the time they ran when Rose
called them about Mun's balloon.

"Did you see anything happen, Russ?" asked his mother.

"No'm, I didn't," he answered. "I was making a box to take some of my
things to Grandma Bell's, and I heard Vi yell and Laddie asking a riddle."

"Asking a riddle?"

"Well, it _sounded_ like a riddle," Russ answered. "He kept saying: 'What
made the boat sink? Oh, Vi, what made the boat sink?'"

"I hope it _was_ only a riddle, and that nothing has happened," said Mrs.
Bunker.

"Maybe it'll be no worse than Mun and his balloon," said Norah. "Anyhow,
I can see the two children!" and she pointed across the green meadow to
the brook. "They seem to be all right."

There, on the grassy bank, was Laddie jumping up and down, and pointing to
something in the water. And the something was Vi though she appeared to be
out in the middle of the brook, in a part where it was deep enough to come
over the knees of Russ.

"What's the matter, Laddie?" asked his mother. "Has anything happened to
Vi?"