"Course I'm sure," he said. "Cross my heart!" and he did so, while the other children looked on wonderingly.
"Suppose you go over to Mrs. Porter's house," said Mrs. Bobbsey to the children's father. "She's worried, I guess, and her husband isn't home yet. Maybe you can help her. I was just going in when you came along."
"All right, I'll go," said Mr. Bobbsey.
"Can't we come?" asked Freddie, and as he had hold of his little sister's hand, it was Flossie, of course, whom he included in his question.
"No, you must go with your mother," said his father, and when the little fat fireman seemed disappointed Mr. Bobbsey went on: "I guess supper is almost ready, isn't it, Dinah?"
"Deed it am. An' dere's puddin' wif shaved-up maple sugar scattered ober de top an'——"
"Oh, I want some of that!" cried Flossie. "Come on, Freddie! We can look for the gypsies after supper."
"And we'll get Helen out of the shiny wagons," added Freddie, as he hurried toward the Bobbsey home with Flossie, fat Dinah waddling along after them.
"I'll go with you," offered Bert to his father. "Maybe you would want me to go on an errand."
"Yes, take Bert with you," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "I'll look after Nan, Flossie and Freddie. And be sure to tell Mrs. Porter that if I can do anything for her I will."