him, and then, when the man drove off with the horses and the load of
lumber, Mrs. Bobbsey went with the twins back into the yard.

"Well, I'm glad all the excitement is over," she said. "Where were
you, Nan? Grace Lavine called for you, but I looked out in the yard
and did not see you, so she went away again."

"Why, I went down to papa's office, Mamma, with that letter you gave
me for him."

"Yes, I know, but I supposed you had come back. What kept you so
long?"

"Well, I--er--I was talking to papa, and---"

Nan did not want to go on. for she did not want to tell that she had
been talking about the houseboat.

Mr. Bobbsey had been intending to keep that as a little secret
surprise for his wife, but now, if her mother asked about it, Nan felt
she would have to tell. She hardly knew what to say, but just then
something happened that made everything all right.

Mr. Bobbsey himself came hurrying down the street, from the direction
of his lumber office. He seemed much excited, and his hat was on
crooked, as though he had not taken time to put it on straight.

"Is everything all right?" he called to his wife. "None of the
children hurt?"