"We're coming!" cried Mrs. Bobbsey. "And after supper we'll sit on deck and sing songs."
She wanted to do something to take out of the minds of the children the memory of the unpleasant scene they had just observed.
"I wish it would hurry up and come morning," said Bert.
"Why?" asked his father.
"So Harry and I can go fishing. I'm sure we'll catch some with the grasshoppers for bait."
"Well, I hope you have good luck," laughed Mr. Bobbsey.
The supper was much enjoyed. The fish, which Will had given the Bobbseys, made a fine meal, with the corn muffins and other things Dinah cooked. After supper they all sat out on the deck of the houseboat, enjoying the beautiful June evening. From the farm of Mr. Hardee came the sounds of mooing cows, and whinnying horses, with an occasional grunt of the pigs, or the barking of dogs.
Nothing was seen of the farmer himself, or of poor Will.
"Can you do anything for him?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey of her husband, after the children had gone to bed that night.
"I hope so, yes. If, as he says, he has an uncle somewhere in the West, and I can get his address, I'll write to him, and ask him to look after Will. The boy needs a good home."