The children wondered what it could all be about. Why was their father so particular to have them listen carefully?
Mrs. Brown caught enough of the talk from Bunny and Sue to learn that it was her husband who was on the other end of the wire. He often called up from the boat dock just before supper, to let her know he was on the way home. Bunny and Sue had taken such messages many times before, but this time seemed a bit different.
“I want to ask you a question,” said Mr. Brown, at his end of the wire. “Are you going to be at home this evening, Bunny?”
“Why, of course I’m going to be at home!” answered the little boy.
“That’s good,” said his father. “Are you going to be at home after supper, Sue?”
“Course I am, Daddy!” she replied, with a laugh. “What makes you ask such a funny question?”
“Because I want to know,” went on Mr. Brown, and Bunny was sure he could hear his father laughing back there in the office on the boat and fish dock. “Now don’t forget! Don’t go out after supper. And don’t go out until I come home. Tell mother I’ll be there soon.”
“But what for, Daddy?” asked Bunny. “Why don’t you want us to go out?”
“Are you going to take us to the movies?” asked Sue. For sometimes Daddy Brown did this when there was a children’s play early in the evening.
“Well, we may go to the movies,” said Mr. Brown. “But perhaps you won’t care to go after you see what you’re going to see.”