"No, that is not right," said Mr. Brown thoughtfully. He handed the note
to his wife. She read this:

"Father and Mother: I am not coming back for a
long while. I do not think you treated me right. I
am more than fifteen years old and I have a right
to have a banjo if I want it. I want to be a
player and play in the theater. That is what I am
going to do. I am not going to be treated like a
baby by my father. I am too old."

"I did not mean to treat him like a baby," said Mr. Ward. "But our
children must be made to obey in things that are right."

"That is true," agreed Mrs. Brown.

"We mind sometimes," said Bunny. "Don't we, Momsie?"

"Yes, once in a while. But please run away and play now, until we call
you. There comes Splash over to have a game with Dix. You children can
go out with the dogs."

Bunny and Sue were eager enough to do this. They thought they had heard
enough about the missing boy. They were to hear more in a short time.

"And so Fred has run away," said Mr. Ward, speaking to Mr. and Mrs.
Brown. "How can I get him back? It is not good that he should be away.
I will talk about the banjo to him, and if I find he really thinks it is
the best instrument for him to play I may let him have it. But where can
I find him?"