The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore | Page 3

to possess one.
"There goes the last of Meadow Brook," sighed Nan, as the train
rounded a curve and slowed up on a pretty bridge. "And we did have
such a lovely time there!"
"Isn't it going to be just as nice at the ocean?" Freddie inquired, with
some concern.
"We hope so," his mother replied, "but sister Nan always likes to be
grateful for what she has enjoyed."
"So am I," insisted the little fellow, not really knowing what he meant
himself.
"I likes dis yere car de best," spoke up Dinah, looking around at the
ordinary day coach, the kind used in short journeys. "De red velvet
seats seems de most homey," she went on, throwing her kinky head
back, "and I likes to lean back wit'out tumbling ober."
"And there's more to see," agreed Bert. "In the Pullman cars there are
so few people and they're always---"
"Proud," put in Flossie.
"Yes, they seem so," declared her brother, "but see all the people in this
car, just eating and sleeping and enjoying themselves."
Now in our last book, "The Bobbsey Twins in the Country," we told
about the trip to Meadow Brook in the Pullman car, and how Snoop,
the kitten, got out of his box, and had some queer experiences. This
time our friends were traveling in the car with the ordinary passengers,
and, of course, as Bert said, there was more to be seen and the sights
were different.

"It is splendid to have so much room," declared Mrs. Bobbsey, for Nan
and Flossie had a big seat turned towards Bert and Freddie's, while
Dinah had a seat all to herself (with some boxes of course), and Mr.
and Mrs. Bobbsey had another seat. The high-back, broad plush seats
gave more room than the narrow, revolving chairs, besides, the day
coach afforded so much more freedom for children.
"What a cute little baby!" exclaimed Nan, referring to a tiny tot
sleeping under a big white netting, across the aisle.
"We must be quiet," said Mrs. Bobbsey, "and let the little baby sleep. It
is hard to travel in hot weather."
"Don't you think the duck should have a drink?" suggested Mr.
Bobbsey. "You have a little cup for him, haven't you, Freddie?"
"Yep!" answered Freddie, promptly, pulling the cover off Downy's box.
Instantly the duck flew out!
"Oh ! oh! oh!" yelled everybody, as the little white bird went flying out
through the car. First he rested on the seat, then he tried to get through
the window. Somebody near by thought he had him, but the duck
dodged, and made straight for the looking glass at the end of the car.
"Oh, do get him, somebody!" cried Freddie, while the other strange
children in the car yelled in delight at the fun.
"He's kissing himself in the looking glass," declared one youngster, as
the frightened little duck flapped his wings helplessly against the
mirror.
"He thinks it's another duck," called a boy from the back of the car,
clapping his hands in glee.
Mr. Bobbsey had gone up carefully with his soft hat in his hand.
Everybody stopped talking, so the duck would keep in its place.
Nan held Freddie and insisted on him not speaking a word.

Mr. Bobbsey went as cautiously as possible. One step more and he
would have had the duck.
He raised his hand with the open hat--and brought it down on the
looking glass!
The duck was now gazing down from the chandelier!
"Ha! ha! ha!" the boys laughed, "that's a wild duck, sure!"
"Who's got a gun!" the boy in the back hollered.
"Oh, will they shoot my duck!" cried Freddie, in real tears.
"No, they're only making fun," said Bert. "You keep quiet and we will
get him all right."
By this time almost everyone in the car had joined in the duck hunt,
while the frightened little bird seemed about ready to surrender. Downy
had chosen the highest hanging lamps as his point of vantage, and from
there he attempted to ward off all attacks of the enemy. No matter what
was thrown at him he simply flew around the lamp.
As it was a warm day, chasing the duck was rather too vigorous
exercise to be enjoyable within the close confines of a poorly ventilated
car, but that bird had to be caught somehow.
"Oh, the net!" cried Bert, "that mosquito netting over there. We could
stretch it up and surely catch him."
This was a happy thought. The baby, of course, was awake and joined
in the excitement, so that her big white mosquito netting was readily
placed at the disposal of the duck hunters.
A boy named Will offered to help Bert.
"I'll hold one end here," said Will, "and you can stretch yours