"Neither will I," promised Freddie. "Is that all you're going to tell
us, Nan?"

"Well, isn't that enough?" demanded Nan. "I think it's just fine, that
we're going to have a houseboat! I've always wanted one."

"So have I," spoke Bert. "Go on, Nan! Tell me more about it. How big
is it? Is there an engine in it? Where is it? Can we go on board? When
is papa going to get it? Is there a room for me in it? I wonder if I
can run the engine and steer? How much did it cost?"

"Gracious!" cried Nan, pretending to cover her ears with her hands.
"It will take me all morning, Bert, to answer those questions. Please
start over again."

"First tell me where I can see the boat," suggested Bert. "I want to
go look at it."

"It's down in the lake," said Nan.

"Come on, Flossie," spoke Freddie. "There's Snap coming back now, and
maybe we can catch him. Then we'll harness him up. Dinah ought to be
done with her baking now, and maybe she can find those straps for us.
Here, Snap!"

Flossie and Freddie, being some years younger than Bert and Nan, did
not care to bear much more about the houseboat just then. That they
were going to have one was enough for them. They were much pleased and
delighted, but they had the idea of hitching Snap to the express
wagon, and they could not get that out of their minds.