THE CAPTURE
"Well, Tad," said Mr. Bunker, when he saw the "runaway boy," which was the name he was often called, "it has been some time since we saw you last."
"Yes, Mr. Bunker, it has," went on Tad. "I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble."
"Oh, you didn't cause us so much trouble as you did your father," said Captain Ben. "He came here one night, very late, inquiring about you, and——"
"Yes, I know," interrupted Tad. "And I'm sorry I made him so much trouble. But it's all right now, and I'm never going to run away again. That's what I came over to tell you."
"Is this the news?" asked Russ, and he began to feel a little disappointed.
"No, it isn't all the news," Tad went on. "After I ran away, and you brought me part of the way back, I was going to take the trolley car to my home in Avalon, just as I said I would. But I got sort of scared after I went away from you. I was afraid to go home, so I didn't."
"Oh, so that's why your father came here looking for you!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker. "We often wondered if you ever did go back home."
"Yes, I went a few days after that," Tad said. "And my father was good to me, and when I told him how kind you folks were to me, he said I must come right over and thank you, and let you know I was safe at home again.
"Well, I was going to, but I kept putting it off. But at last my father and mother decided I must come, so when I got some new clothes and new shoes I decided to come, and here I am. I just came in on the trolley car."