Flossie came back from her talk with Dinah, looking very disappointed.
"What is the matter, dear?" asked her mother, noting the sorrowful look on the little girl's face.
"Dinah isn't going to the circus," said Flossie, almost ready to cry, for she was very fond of the faithful and loving colored woman.
"Oh, I guess she'll go with us," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Why doesn't she want to come?"
"She's afraid of the wild animals," answered Flossie.
"Pooh! I'm not afraid!" boasted Freddie. "You tell her, Flossie, that I'll take my fire engine along an' scare 'em. Wait, I'll tell her myself."
Out Freddie ran to the kitchen, where Dinah was helping Martha with the baking.
"Don't you be afraid, Dinah!" he cried. "I won't let any of the wild animals get you!"
"Bress yo' heart, honey lamb!" exclaimed the colored cook with a laugh that made her shake "like a bowl full of jelly."
"I—I'll scare 'em off with my fire engine," Freddie went on.