blame.

"What happened next?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey.

"Why--er--I just wanted to see if the spring was all right, so I wound
that up," Freddie went on. "Then I sort of forgot about the water in
the tank, and before I knew it, why it--it went off--sudden like."

"Land ob massy! I should say it done did go off--suddint laik!"
exclaimed Dinah. "Fust I knowed I was dryin' de dishes an' den I got a
mouth full ob watah. I shuah did t'ink a watah pipe had done gone an'
busted. I shuah did!"

"It--it just kept on squirtin'!" said Freddie. "I couldn't stop it
like it always used to stop."

"No, the pump is out of order," said Mr. Bobbsey, as he looked at the
now empty fire engine. "It wouldn't stop pumping. Well, I'm glad it
wasn't a real fire, and glad that no one is hurt. Put your engine away
now, Freddie, and, after this, don't play with water in the house,
when mamma has told you not to."

"I won't," promised Freddie. "But it's a good engine, isn't it?"

"Oh, yes, it's a good engine, all right."

"And I can take it on the houseboat, can't I?"

"Yes, but you won't need to put any water in. There'll be enough in
the creek and lakes," said Mrs. Bobbsey with a smile. "Come now,