"And summer is only half over," went on Bert. "Here it is only
August."

"Oh, well, there are plenty of good times ahead of you children yet,
before school begins," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Now let's see. Have we
everything?" and she looked at the pile of bundles and valises on the
porch.

"I guess we didn't forget anything, except papa," said Freddie. "And
he's coming," he added, as the others laughed.

"Sam, am de fire made?" demanded Dinah. "I wants t' make a cup ob
tea."

"Fire all made," reported the colored man. "I'll go git a fresh pail
ob water now. I didn't know jest prezackly when yo' was comin'," he
said to Mrs. Bobbsey, "or I'd a' been down to de dock t' meet de
houseboat."

"Might a' come anyhow," muttered Dinah. "Yo' all didn't hab nuffin' t'
do heah!"

"Huh! I didn't, eh?" cried Sam. "Nuffin t' do! Why, I cut de grass,
an' fed de chickens, an' watered de lawn, an'--an'--"

"Go 'long wif yo'," ordered his wife with a laugh. "Bring in some mo'
wood for de fire!"

"And get a screw-driver so I can let Snoop out," begged Flossie. "He's