CHAPTER XVI
THE BIG ELEPHANT
"What's the matter with Uncle Jack?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey, "and how did you hear about him, Richard?" she asked her husband.
"I had a letter from my bookkeeper," was the answer. "Before we came away I left word that the poor old man must be looked after, and I arranged to have news of him sent on to me. To-day I got a letter which says he is much worse than he has been, and really needs to go to a hospital. I think I shall have to raise the money to send him."
"Who is he?" asked Mr. Whipple. "I am interested. Who is this Uncle Jack?"
"He's just the nicest man!" cried Flossie. "He took us in when Freddie upset the ice-boat, and——"
"I didn't upset the ice-boat—it upset itself!" Freddie cried.
"Easy now, children! Don't dispute," said Mrs. Bobbsey gently.
"Uncle Jack is quite a character around Lakeport," went on Mr. Bobbsey. "I don't know all his story, but he has lived in the woods for a number of years. Where he was before that I don't know."
"He don't know hardly anything about his folks, Daddy!" piped up Freddie.