As yet the balloons had only short strings on them, and Rose, to make sure the toys of Mun Bun and Margy would not get away, tied the strings to their wrists.
"They look like big plums or apples," said Laddie. "Maybe I could think up a riddle about the balloons."
"Well, you can be thinking about it when we have a race to see which one goes highest in the air," said Russ. "When we get to Aunt Jo's house, we'll get string and let the balloons sail away up."
Mother Bunker said strong thread would be better than string, as it would not be so heavy, and soon the six little Bunkers were out in the front yard, letting their toys sail high above their heads.
"Mine's the highest!" cried Russ, as he looked at his green balloon floating high above the trees.
"That's 'cause you let out all the thread," said Laddie. "I'm not going to let all mine unwind."
And neither did the other children, for they were afraid their toys might get away. For some time they had fun in this way, pulling the balloons down when they got very far up in the air, and then letting them float upward again.
Then came a call from the house. It was Mother Bunker, saying:
"Here is some bread and jam for hungry children. How many of you want it?"
There was no question as to how many did. Each of the six little Bunkers was hungry.