So the boys took turns having Zip pull them along on the raft until the dog, much as he liked to go into the water after sticks, grew tired and would not splash out any more. "Well, we'll play it to-morrow," said Laddie. "Or this afternoon, maybe," said his brother. They tied the raft to a tree near shore, leaving the stick fast to the rope, ready for more fun. "Mercy, Laddie, what happened to you?" asked Mrs. Bunker, as she saw the two boys come through the garden up to Grandma Bell's house. "Did you fall into the water?" "I—I sorter—sorter—stepped in—off the raft," answered the little boy. "Oh, it was lots of fun!" "But you must be more careful," said his mother. "Was the water deep?" "No, Mother. It was near shore," explained Russ, and he told how Zip had given them rides. "Well, come into the house, and get on dry clothes," said Grandma Bell. "And, to make sure you won't catch cold—though I don't see how you can on such a hot day—I'll give you some bread and jam!" "Oh, goody!" cried Laddie, for he knew how nice the bread and jam made by Grandma Bell tasted. "I wish I'd fallen in," said Russ. "Well, you may have some bread and jam also," said his grandmother, laughing. "And we'll call one, two, three, four more little Bunkers, and they may have bread and jam, too." That afternoon and the next day the other little Bunkers had rides on the raft pulled by Zip. And when the dog got tired of splashing out in the water to bring back the stick and tow the raft, Laddie and Russ, in their bare feet, pulled it themselves, giving Rose, Vi, Margy and Mun Bun rides along the shore. They had lots of fun, and thought Lake Sagatook the nicest place in all the world to spend part of their vacation. Daddy Bunker and Mother Bunker liked it, too. They took long walks in the woods, and also went for rows in the boat Daddy Bunker hired. For the children's father did as he had promised, and got a large, safe rowboat, in which they went for trips on the lake, and also went fishing. Mrs. Bunker did not care to
Prev.
Back
Top