Freddie did not take any chances on asking Bert. His elder brother was
still busy talking to Nan about the new houseboat. Freddie scrambled
to his feet.

"Now you stay there, Snap!" he commanded the big dog, for Snap, ready
again for some fun, was anxious to follow his little master. "Lie
down, Snap!" ordered Freddie, and Snap again stretched out.

Freddie walked slowly over toward the bicycle. Of course he was too
small to ride it in the regular way, with his feet on the pedals, for
his little legs were not long enough to reach them. But he could sit
on the seat, and Bert had taught him how to steer a little, so that
though a bicycle has only two wheels, and will tip over if it is not
properly guided, Freddie could manage to ride a little way on it
without toppling over, especially if some one put him on and gave him
a push, or if he was given a start down a little hill.

"I'm going to have a ride," thought Freddie. "I'll have a little ride,
while I'm waiting for Flossie."

Freddie had a velocipede of his own, but that had three wheels instead
of two. Freddie thought two wheels were much more fun than three.

"If I can get up on that bicycle, I'll have a nice ride," murmured
Freddie. He looked toward the house. Flossie was not in sight. She had
not yet found the straps.

Then Freddie looked toward Bert and Nan. They were still busy talking
about the houseboat. They paid no attention to Freddie.