Aunt Bessie, you see, had been keeping the canary for Mother and Sunny Boy while they were visiting Grandpa Horton.
“I’m glad you didn’t try to bring him,” said Mrs. Horton frankly. “He would likely be frightened, and, anyway, I don’t believe in trying to move pets. Sunny Boy left his collie puppy up on the farm. Here come Betty and Harriet.”
While Mr. Horton helped them into the car, Sunny got out and scrambled into the front seat.
“Why, Sunny Boy! I thought of course you’d stay with us,” cried Miss Martinson.
“Daddy was lonesome with four ladies and only himself up here,” explained Sunny seriously. “Now we’re two to four.”
Every one laughed, and then Daddy took his place and started the engine.
“Now we’re off,” sighed Aunt Bessie. “It did seem to me that if I had to do one thing more I should scream.”
“You’re like Sunny,” answered Mrs. Horton. “When he is going anywhere he is very impatient of preliminaries.”
“What’s that?” he asked Daddy.
“Preliminaries?” said Daddy. “Oh, things that come first—like eating breakfast and locking the doors and packing boxes and so on.”