It was rather rough going for the big car, and the little Bunkers were jounced about a good bit. Russ and Laddie trotted along on their ponies quite contentedly, however, and did not complain of the pace. But Vi began to ask questions, as usually was the case when she was disturbed either in mind or body.
"Daddy, why do we jump up and down so when the car bumps?" she wanted to know. "You and mother don't bounce the way Mun Bun and Margy and Rose and I do. Why do we?"
"Because you are not as heavy as your mother and I. Therefore you cannot resist the jar of the car so well."
"But why does the car bump at all? Our car at home doesn't bump—unless we run into something. Why does this car of Mr. Cowboy Jack's bump?"
"The road is not smooth. That is why," said her father, trying to satisfy that thirst for knowledge which sometimes made Violet a good deal of a nuisance.
"Why isn't this road smooth?" promptly demanded the little girl.
"Jumping grasshoppers!" ejaculated the ranchman, greatly amused, "can't that young one ask 'em, though?"
At once Vi's active attention was drawn to another subject.
"Mr. Cowboy Jack," she demanded, "why do grasshoppers jump?"
"Fine!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker. "You brought it on yourself, Jack. Answer her if you can."