He ran to where the garden tools were kept, but, on the way, he heard the postman's whistle and stopped to get the mail. This he carried to his mother, and, when she saw one letter, she cried:
"Oh, this is from Cousin Tom! I hope it has good news in it!"
Quickly she read it, while Laddie wondered what the good news was about. Then Mrs. Bunker said:
"Oh, Laddie! We're going on another nice trip! Cousin Tom has invited us all down to his seashore cottage! Won't that be fine? We must soon get ready to leave Aunt Jo's and go to Cousin Tom's!"
CHAPTER II
TREASURE HOPES
Laddie Bunker looked up at his mother as she finished reading the letter. Then he shook his head and said:
"We can't go to Cousin Tom's!"
"Can't go to Cousin Tom's!" repeated his mother. "Why not, Laddie, my boy?"