"Thinking!" exclaimed his mother.
"Yes, about the dog that took your pocketbook," went on the little boy. "I wanted to be in a quiet place where I could think about him and maybe guess where he was so I could make him give back your diamond ring, Mother. So I crawled under the boat. It was nice and warm there, and the wind didn't blow on me, and I was thinking and I was thinking, and——"
"And then you fell asleep, didn't you?" asked Uncle Tad, as they all stood around Bunny on deck.
"Yes, I guess I did," was the answer. "And I didn't dream about the dog, either."
"Did you think of any way to find him?" asked Captain Ross.
"No," answered Bunny, "I didn't. But I wish I could."
"Oh, you mustn't think any more about that dog," said his mother, with a smile, as she patted the little boy's tousled head. "I'll manage to get along without my diamond ring, though I would like to have it back."
"Well, I couldn't think," complained Bunny, with a sigh. "I guess maybe I was too sleepy."
"Better not hide yourself away again," cautioned his father. "You must be extra careful aboard a boat so your mother will not have to worry, or this trip to Christmas Tree Cove will not be any pleasure to her."
"When shall we get there—to the place where the Christmas trees are, Daddy?" asked Sue.