center of the prettiest lake you ever saw."

"Who lives there, Mother?" asked Meg. "Are we going visiting?"

"Not exactly visiting," explained Mother Blossom. "You know
Daddy's friend, Mr. Winthrop? He owns a bungalow on Apple Tree
Island, and this summer he and his family are going to England. He
has told Daddy that we may have the use of this house if we care
to go up to the lake."

"Let's go!" cried Dot instantly. "Won't it be fun to live on an
island like Robinson Crusoe? When are we going, Mother?"

Mother Blossom laughed.

"That is for Daddy to say," she answered. "I'm not sure that we
are really going."




CHAPTER IV

TWADDLES' GRASSHOPPER


Apple Tree Island was the main topic of conversation at the table
that night. The four little Blossoms were wildly excited at the
prospect of going on an island to live, and Twaddles had a secret
idea that one swam out to it from the mainland.