Mr. Bobbsey gave his older son a pleased look, and then replied:
"Yes, I found that one of our lumber wagons was going within half a mile of the village of Lemby, so I let the boy ride with the driver. It will give him a good lift."
"Indeed it will," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "I felt so sorry for him. I wish
I could help him!"
"I hope the horses don't run away," spoke Freddie with such a serious air that they all laughed.
"I guess they won't run away, little fat fireman!" said Mr. Bobbsey, as he caught Freddie up in his arms. "They are good, steady horses, and they had a pretty heavy load to drag. So Will won't be in any danger. But I hope supper is ready. I'm hungry!"
"But you didn't answer my question," said Nan. "When are we going in the houseboat, father?"
"Oh, whenever school ends and your mother is ready," was the answer.
"I should say in about two weeks."
"Good!" cried Bert. "And are we going to take Snap along?" he asked, as he caught sight of the trick dog outside, standing on his hind legs, while Sam Johnson held up a bone for him. Snap was "begging" for his supper, as he often did.
"Yes, I think we can find room for Snap on board," the lumber man said.
"What about our cat, Snoop?" asked Flossie. "I want to take Snoop along. Wouldn't you like to go in a boat, Snoop?" and Flossie picked the fat cat up in her arms. Snoop was quite an armful now. "Don't you want to go, Snoop?"