"More glad than you can guess, madam," said the man with a bow. "I am,
indeed, hungry. We have had bad luck, as perhaps Lucile and Mart have
told you."

"Yes, they spoke of it," said Bunny's mother. "And now please come in,
and while you are eating we can talk."

"Say, we could have a regular show here now!" whispered Bunny Brown to
his sister Sue. "We have three actors now, and you and I would make two
more."

"Oh, I don't want to be in a show now," said Sue. "I want to hear what
they're going to tell mother."

Bunny did also, and when Mr. Treadwell had seated himself at the table
the children listened to what followed.

"When you rang I was just telling Mart that perhaps my husband could
give him some work, so enough money could be earned for the trip to New
York," said Mrs. Brown. "Is it true that no one knows where these
children's uncle and aunt can be found?"

"Well, I guess it's true enough," said Mr. Treadwell. "There are two
uncles and one aunt, according to the story. William Clayton, who is a
brother of Mart's father, is blind, and in some home or hospital--I
don't know where, and I guess the children don't either," he added.

Lucile and Mart shook their heads.