back home. But Freddie wanted to stay until the fire was wholly out.

Mr. Bobbsey came from his office to give some directions to the firemen,
and saw his wife and the two twins. Then he took charge of them, and
led them as close to the blaze as was safe.

"It will soon be out," he said. "It was only some sawdust that got on
fire."

"I wish I could squirt some water!" sighed Freddie.

"What's that? Do you want to be a fireman?" asked one of the men in a
rubber coat and a big helmet. He smiled at Mr. Bobbsey, whom he knew
quite well.

"Yes, I do," said Freddie.

"Then come with me, and I'll let you help hold the hose," said the
fireman. "I'll look after him," he went on, to Mrs. Bobbsey, and she
nodded to show that Freddie could go.

What a good time the little fellow had, standing beside a real fireman,
and helping throw real water on a real fire! Freddie never forgot that.
Of course the fire was almost out, and it was only one of the small hose
lines that the fireman let the little fellow help hold, but, for all
that, Freddie was very happy.

"Did you write to the circus people today about our silver cup, and that
trick dog?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey of her husband, that night.