Flossie seemed to think the most wonderful part of the houseboat was the kitchen and the stove.
When the pleasant meal was over, they sat on deck in the evening, until it was time for Mr. Murphy to go home. He was to walk across the meadow, about a mile, to get a trolley car. Mr. Bobbsey went with him, part of the way.
For several days after this, the Bobbsey twins had all sorts of amusements on the house-boat. The BLUEBIRD was still kept in the creek, for it was so pleasant there, along the shady waterway, that Mrs. Bobbsey said they might as well enjoy it as long as possible.
"But I want to see the big lake and the waterfall," said Nan.
"We'll soon be there," promised her father.
One day the houseboat was moved along the creek for about a mile, and anchored there. Bert and Harry found the fishing so good, that they wanted to stay a long time. They really caught some large perch and chub.
"But we didn't come on this trip just to fish," said Mr. Bobbsey. "There are other things to do. We want to go in swimming, when it gets a little warmer, and then, too, we can take some walks in the woods on the shores of Lake Romano."
"And can we have picnics, and take our lunch?" asked Freddie.
"Yes, little fat fireman," answered his father, laughing.
Freddie had been kept so busy with other amusements, that he had not once played with his fire engine, since coming on board.