who did not go to the office that day.

   "No, the police couldn't find the man," answered Mr. Bunker. "I guess my papers are gone for good. But I mustn't worry about them; nor must you. I want you and the children to have a good time at Grandma Bell's."

   "Oh, we always have good times there," said his wife. "I'll be glad to go. It is lovely in Maine at this time of year."

   Out in the barn the children could be heard laughing and shouting.

   "I hope they don't try to make any more steamboats out of old barrels, and get caught in the ruins," said Mrs. Bunker with a laugh, as she thought of the funny accident that had happened in the playroom.

   "Oh, I guess they'll be all right," said Mr. Bunker. "It's quiet now, so I'll lie down and

   have a nap, to get ready to take them to the fireworks to-night."

   The six little Bunkers had played some games in the barn—sliding down the hay, pretending an old wagon was a stage coach and that the Indians captured it—games like that—when they heard Norah calling loudly to them.

   "What's she saying?" asked Laddie, who had found a hen's nest in the hay and was wondering whether he had better take in the eggs or let them stay to be hatched into little chickens. "What's Norah want, Russ? Have we got to come in?"

   "She says come and get the thunder-and-lightning cake," said Russ, who was listening at the barn door.

   "And ice cream! She said ice cream, too!" added Vi. "I heard her!"

   "Yes, I guess she did say ice cream," admitted Russ. "Come on!" and he set out on a run toward the house.

   "Wait for me! Wait for me!" begged Mun Bun, whose short legs could not go as fast as could those of Russ.

   "I'll wait for you, Mun," said Rose kindly,

   and she turned back and took the little fellow's hand.

   "Maybe all the cream'll melt if we don't run," said Mun, as he toddled along beside Rose.

   "Oh, no, I guess not. Norah will save some for us," said the little girl, humming a song.

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