love for playing fireman, and he often put out "make-believe" blazes
with a toy fire engine he had, which squirted real water.

"No alarms to-day," laughed Freddie, for his father was tickling him
in his "fat ribs," as Freddie called them.

"How's my little fat fairy?" went on Mr. Bobbsey, catching Flossie up
as he had Freddie.

"All right." she answered. "Oh, papa, your whiskers prick!" she cried,
as Mr. Bobbsey kissed her.

"Sit down and have a cup of tea," invited Mrs. Bobbsey. "Then we can
talk about what we are to do. The children are anxious to get away
again, and if we _are_ to go there is no need of unpacking more than
we have to."

"Would you like to go to Meadow Brook?" asked Mr. Bobbsey, looking at
his happy family.

"You know I would," answered his wife, with a smile.

"Meadow Brook! Oh, are we going there?" cried Nan.

"Well, Uncle Daniel has sent us an invitation," said Mr. Bobbsey, "and
your mother and I are thinking of it."

"Can you leave your lumber business long enough to go with us?" asked
Mrs. Bobbsey.