"What happened?" demanded Violet, and then, as Captain Ben looked back and saw that all four little Bunkers were safe in the rear seat, though somewhat mixed up, and as he saw Daddy Bunker straightening up after having slid from the front seat, Captain Ben laughed.
"I guess more things happened than we'll know about right away," answered the marine. "Are any of you hurt?"
"I—I guess my nose got bumped," said Laddie. "It feels so, anyhow."
"You ought to know whether or not you bumped it," his father said.
"I didn't bump it—my nose bumped itself on the back of your seat," explained Laddie. "Anyhow, I don't guess it's bloodin', is it?" he went on, holding his hand to his nose. "Bloodin'" was Laddie's word for bleeding.
"No, it isn't bloodin' any," Vi told her brother. "But, oh, wasn't it funny the way we slid into the ditch?"
"I'm glad it is no worse than funny," said Captain Ben. "I felt the car sliding on the slippery road, but the brakes would not hold her back. I'm afraid something is broken, but I'm glad none of our bones are."
"Lessen Laddie's nose is," put in Vi.
By this time Daddy Bunker and the children had climbed down from the car. They could see now what had happened. It had slid almost head first into the roadside ditch, which was partly filled with muddy water from the last night's rain. The radiator, or that part of the automobile which is kept filled with water to cool the engine, was thrust into the muddy bank on the far side of the ditch. One of the front wheels was broken, and, in addition, the car was tilted on one side. If it had not been for the edges of the ditch holding the car up, it would have turned right over on its side.
"Oh, the wheel is broken!" exclaimed Rose, as she looked at the splintered spokes.