"You go in and ask Dinah to help you look for the straps," directed
Freddie to his little sister, "and I'll catch Snap. Here, Snap! Snap!"
he called to the dog who had come back into the yard after a romp and
frolic with his animal friend.

Snap was glad enough to stretch out on the grass and rest. He was
tired from his run. Freddie put his arms around the dog's neck, and
laid his head down on the shaggy coat.

"Now you can't run away again," said Freddie, as he pretended to go to
sleep, while Flossie toddled into the house once more, to have another
look for the missing book straps.

At a little distance from Freddie sat Nan and Bert, talking about the
houseboat, and the good times they would have on board. Freddie roused
up, and looked toward the house. Flossie had not yet come out.

"It takes her a long time," said the little boy. "We won't have any
ride at all, if she doesn't hurry up."

Then Freddie saw something else that attracted his attention. This was
Bert's bicycle, leaning now against the side of a shed. Bert was too
much interested in the houseboat to want to ride just then.

A new idea came into Freddie's head.

"I'm going to have a ride on Bert's wheel, while I'm waiting for
Flossie to come out with the straps," said the little twin chap. "Bert
won't care."