"But if grandma's got a dog and a cat, maybe the parrot wouldn't like 'em," put in Russ.

   "Have you a dog and a cat, grandma?" asked Rose, as Mr. Mead drove off in his auto with the parrot.

   "Yes, I have, my dear."

   "Oh, where are they?"

   "Zip, my dog, is out in the barn, I imagine. He generally goes out there when Tom is working around."

   "Who's Tom?" asked Laddie. "Is he the cat?"

   "No, Tom is the hired man. Thomas Hardy is his name."

   "And where's the cat?" asked Vi, looking around the front yard, as if she might see the pussy under some flower bush.

   "Oh, Muffin is in the house, I presume," said Grandma Bell. "And that's where we'd better go. I guess you're all hungry after your trip, aren't you? My, but I'm glad to see you—every one!" and she smiled at the six little Bunkers through her glasses.

   "And I guess they're glad, to be here—I know

    we

   are," said Mrs. Bunker. "They've talked of nothing but Grandma Bell's ever since we got your letter inviting us to come here."

   "Well, I hope they'll like it," said the dear old lady.

   "We like it already," said Russ. "Please, may I go out and see the dog?"

   "I want to go, too," put in Laddie.

   "And I want to see the cat," added Rose, "Is her name Muffin?"

   "That's her name," said Grandma Bell.

   "And I call my dog Zip because he runs around so much. But you'd better rest a bit first, and eat. Then you can go out and see things."

   "I want to see the lake!" exclaimed Laddie. "Can we sail boats on it?"

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