"Well, it seems to me that everything 'almost' happened," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Flossie almost saw a snake, Freddie almost fell overboard and the truck almost broke the bridge."
"Oh, the bridge really is broken," Nan said. And she told about that accident. Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey had come to the picnic grounds by another road, and so had not seen the bridge that sagged in the middle.
"Well, all's well that ends well, so they say," remarked Mr. Bobbsey, "and we're glad you are having a good time. Yes, Mr. Blake, what is it?" he asked, for Mr. Blake, had come to where Mr. Bobbsey was talking to the children, and had called aloud.
"Do you want to help the ladies dish out the ice cream?" asked Mr. Blake.
"Surely!" answered the twins' father. "Wait until I take off my coat. Dishing out ice cream is rather messy work."
He removed his coat, hanging it on the limb of a tree near the shed where the ice cream freezers had been placed. Mrs. Bobbsey also offered to help, and when it became known that it was time for the ice cream and cake treat the picnic children began gathering at the rustic shed.
Before the dainties could be served, however, there came from down the road, in the opposite direction from the broken bridge, a low, rumbling sound.
"I hope it isn't going to rain," said Mrs. Morris, as she held a plate of ice cream in one hand.
"What makes you think it is?" Mrs. Bobbsey asked.
"Didn't you hear that thunder? I can't see the sky, on account of the trees, but I'm afraid it's clouding over."