The Bobbsey Twins in the Country | Page 6

tired little girl.
"Perhaps you would like one of Dinah's dainty sandwiches now?"
A light lunch was quickly decided on, and Dinah took Flossie and Nan
to a little private room at one end of the train, Bert went with his father
to the smoking room on the other end, while the mother remained to
watch Freddie. The lunch was put up so that each small sandwich could
be eaten without a crumb spilling, as the little squares were each
wrapped separately in waxed paper.
There was a queer alcohol lamp in the ladies room, and other handy
contrivances for travelers, which amused Flossie and Nan.
"Dat's to heat milk fo' babies," Dinah told the girls, as she put the paper
napkins carefully on their laps, and got each a nice drink of icewater
out of the cooler.
Meanwhile Bert was enjoying his lunch at the other end of the car, for
children always get hungry when traveling, and meals on the train are
only served at certain hours. Two other little girls came into the
compartment while Flossie and Nan were at lunch. The strange girls
wore gingham aprons over their fine white dresses, to keep the car dust
off their clothes, and they had paper caps on their heads like the favors
worn at children's parties. Seeing there was no stool vacant the
strangers darted out again in rather a rude way, Nan thought.
"Take you time, honeys," Dinah told her charges. "If dey is very

hungry dey can get ice cream outside."
"But mother never lets us eat strange ice cream," Flossie reminded the
maid. "And maybe they can't either."
Soon the lunch was finished, and the Bobbseys felt much refreshed by
it. Freddie still slept with Snoop's box close beside him, and Mrs.
Bobbsey was reading a magazine.
"One hour more!" Bert announced, beginning to pick things up even
that early.
"Now we better all close our eyes and rest, so that we will feel good
when we get to Meadow Brook," Mrs. Bobbsey told them. It was no
task to obey this suggestion, and the next thing the children knew,
mother and father and Dinah were waking them up to get them ready to
leave the train.
"Now, don't forget anything," Mr. Bobbsey cautioned the party, as hats
and wraps were donned and parcels picked up.
Freddie was still very sleepy and his papa had to carry him off, while
the others, with some excitement, hurried after.
"Oh, Snoop, Snoop!" cried Freddie as, having reached the platform,
they now saw the train start off. "I forgot Snoop! Get him quick!"
"Dat kitten again!" Dinah exclaimed, with some indignation. "He's
more trouble den--den de whole family!"
In an instant the train had gotten up speed, and it seemed Snoop was
gone this time sure.
"Snoop!" cried Freddie, in dismay.
Just then the kind porter who had befriended the cat before, appeared
on the platform with the perforated box in his hand.
"I wanted to keep him," stammered the porter, "but I knows de little

boy 'ud break his heart after him." And he threw the box to Mr.
Bobbsey.
There was no time for words, but Mr. Bobbsey thrust a coin in the
man's hand and all the members of the Bobbsey family looked their
thanks.
"Well, I declare, you can't see anybody," called out a good-natured
little lady, trying to surround them all at once.
"Aunt Sarah!" exclaimed the Bobbseys.
"And Uncle Dan!"
"And Harry!"
"Hello! How do? How are you? How be you?" and such kissing and
handshaking had not for some time entertained the old agent at the
Meadow Brook station.
"Here at last!" Uncle Daniel declared, grabbing up Freddie and giving
him the kind of hug Freddie had intended giving Aunt Sarah.
The big wagon from the Bobbsey farm, with the seats running along
each side, stood at the other side of the platform, and into this the
Bobbseys were gathered, bag and baggage, not forgetting the little
black cat.
"All aboard for Meadow Brook farm!" called Bert, as the wagon started
aff [sic] along the shady country road.
CHAPTER V
MEADOW BROOK
"Oh, how cool the trees are out here!" Flossie exclaimed, as the wagon
rumbled along so close to the low trees that Bert could reach out and
pick horse-chestnut blossoms.

"My, how sweet it is!" said Dinah, as she sniffed audibly, enjoying the
freshness of the country.
Freddie was on the seat with Uncle Dan and had Snoop's box safe in his
arms. He wanted to let the cat see along the road, but everybody
protested.
"No more Snoop in this trip," laughed Mr. Bobbsey. "He has had all the
fun he needs for to-day." So Freddie had to be content.
"Oh, do let me get out?" pleaded Nan presently. "See that