"You just came in time," declared Dorothy. "We are going to have a boat carnival tomorrow, and they expect it will be lovely this year."
Aunt Emily and Mrs. Bobbsey met the others now, and extended such a hearty welcome, there could be no mistaking how pleased they all were to see Harry and Aunt Sarah. As soon as Harry had a chance to lay his traveling things aside Bert and Freddie began showing him around.
"Come on down to the lake, first," Bert insisted. "Hal Bingham may have his canoe out. He's a fine fellow, and we have splendid times together."
"And you'll see my duck, Downy," said Freddie. "Oh, he's growed so big—he's just like a turkey."
Harry thought Downy must be a queer duck if he looked that way, but, of course, he did not question Freddie's description.
"Here, Downy, Downy!" called Freddie, as they came to the little stream where the duck always swam around. But there was no duck to be seen.
"Where is he?" Freddie asked, anxiously.
"Maybe back of some stones," ventured Harry. Then he and Bert joined in the search, but no duck was to be found.
"That's strange," Bert reflected. "He's always around here."
"Where does the lake run to?" Harry inquired.