When they reached Dot's house no one was at the door to meet them.

This seemed strange.

At the head of the stairs a strange lady with a cap and apron on was
standing and smiling at them. She led them into the front room, still
smiling but saying nothing. This made it very exciting.

There in an easy chair was Dot's mother. She was holding something in
her arms. At her feet were Snowball and the kittens sound asleep in
their basket.

"O, Mother, Mother!" cried little Dot running to her.

"My own little girl!" said Mother. "See, here is a darling new pet for
you and Daddy and me."

She held out the bundle in her arms, and it was a dear little baby
brother.

"The very best pet in all the world!" said little Dot.

And Betty and Peggy thought so too.


II

But what have Paul and Bob been doing all this time? We will have to go
back to the beginning of vacation and see.