to get out of the old wagon. So, when all the boxes had been
carefully put outside with the driver, and all the passengers had
taken their places on the long side seats (it was one of those large
side-seated carriages that Uncle William had brought, knowing he would
have a big party to carry), then with a sigh of relief Mrs. Bobbsey
attempted to tell something of their experiences.

"But how did you know where we were?" Bert asked.

"We had been waiting for you since four o'clock," replied Uncle
William. "Then I found out that the train was late, and we waited
some more. But when it came to be night and you had not arrived, I
set out looking for you. I went to the Junction first, and the agent
there told me you had gone in Hank's stage. I happened to be near
enough to the livery stable to hear some fellows talking about Hank's
breakdown, with a big party aboard. I knew then what had happened,
and sent Dorothy home,--she had been out most of the afternoon
waiting--got this carryall, and here we are," and Uncle William only
had to hint "hurry up" to his horses and away they went.

"Oh, we did have the awfulest time," insisted Freddie.

"I feel as if we hadn't seen a house in a whole year," sighed little
Flossie.

"And we only left Meadow Brook this morning," added Nan. "It does
seem much longer than a day since we started."

"Well, you will be in Aunt Emily's arms in about two minutes now,"
declared Uncle William, as through the trees the lights from Ocean