The last valise was strapped shut, the expressman had taken the trunks that did not go as baggage, and now the four little Bunkers with their father and Captain Ben, went out on the porch, after saying good-bye to Norah and Jerry Simms.
Into the captain's big car piled the four children.
"It seems funny not to have mother and Margy and Mun Bun with us, doesn't it?" asked Rose, as she took her place with Russ, Vi and Laddie, her father and Captain Ben being in the front seat.
"Yes, it does," agreed Russ. "But we'll be with them to-night again, won't we, Captain Ben?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, we'll all be at my bungalow at Grand View this evening," said the sailor-soldier. "Your mother may get there first, but I have told her where to find the keys, so she can get everything all ready if she gets there ahead of us."
"Well, I think we're all ready to start," said Daddy Bunker at length. "Everything is all right, isn't it, Norah?"
"Oh, yes," answered the cook. "But it's sorry I am to see you go away again so soon after coming home. You're taking two vacations the same summer, children."
"Yes, and it's lots of fun!" cried Russ. "I'm glad the boiler in the school got leaky. I didn't want to go back so soon, anyhow."
Final good-byes were said, and then Captain Ben started his automobile down the street, the four children looking back as long as they could see Norah and Jerry Simms and waving farewells to them.
Out through the streets of Pineville they rode, Rose and Russ calling to various children of their acquaintance whom they met.