"No," answered the father of Russ and the other five children, "I don't see how I can object. As I told you, we came back from the West mainly on account of school, and if we had known in time that the Montgomery building was not to open we would have stayed at Uncle Fred's ranch."
"I'm glad you didn't," laughed Captain Ben. "For now I can have you visit me. I'll go right uptown and get my automobile, as I see you have a garage here. Then we'll all be ready to start for the seashore in the morning."
"Oh, my goodness! we can't go so soon as that," cried Mrs. Bunker.
"Why not?" asked the captain.
"I have to look over the children's clothes and see what they need for this second, unexpected vacation. We couldn't possibly get ready for to-morrow."
"Well, the next day, then," insisted Captain Ben. "I'll go and get my auto and have it all ready."
"No, we can't go the next day, either," Mrs. Bunker answered with a laugh. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"I learned that in the army, I guess," remarked the soldier. "But how soon can you go?"
"In about a week, I think," was the answer, and with that Captain Ben must needs be content.
He arose to go after his automobile, which he had left in a public garage uptown, and Rose and Russ obtained permission to go with him and ride back. The other children also wanted to go, but it was a little too far for their short legs.