The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat | Page 8

Lavine called for you, but I looked out in the yard and did
not see you, so she went away again."
"Why, I went down to papa's office, Mamma, with that letter you gave
me for him."
"Yes, I know, but I supposed you had come back. What kept you so
long?"
"Well, I--er--I was talking to papa, and---"
Nan did not want to go on. for she did not want to tell that she had been
talking about the houseboat.
Mr. Bobbsey had been intending to keep that as a little secret surprise
for his wife, but now, if her mother asked about it, Nan felt she would
have to tell. She hardly knew what to say, but just then something
happened that made everything all right.
Mr. Bobbsey himself came hurrying down the street, from the direction
of his lumber office. He seemed much excited, and his hat was on
crooked, as though he had not taken time to put it on straight.
"Is everything all right?" he called to his wife. "None of the children
hurt?"
"No, none of them," she answered with a smile. Mr. Bobbsey could see
that for himself now, since Freddie and Flossie were going up the walk
together, Freddie tying one of the book straps around the dog's neck,
while Nan and Bert followed behind them, with Mrs. Bobbsey.
"Someone telephoned to me," said the lumber merchant, "that they saw
one of our teams running away down this street, and I was afraid our
children, or those of some of the neighbors, might be hurt. So I hurried
down to see. Did you notice anything of a runaway team?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "But everything is all right now. Only I
haven't yet heard what it was that kept Nan so long down at your
office," and she smiled.
Nan looked at her father, and Mr. Bobbsey looked at Nan. Then they
both smiled and laughed.
"To tell you the truth," said Mr. Bobbsey, with another smile, "Nan
discovered a secret I was not going to tell at once."
"A secret?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey in surprise.
"Yes, it's about---" began Nan.
Then she stopped.
"Go on. You might as well tell her," said Mr. Bobbsey, laughing.
"I know!" exclaimed Freddie, who was all over his fright now. "It's
about a boathouse and---"
"A houseboat!" interrupted Bert. "You've got the cart before the horse,
Freddie."
"That's it!" exclaimed Nan. "Papa has bought the Marvin's houseboat,
Mamma, and we're going to have lovely times in it this summer."
"And I'm going to run the engine," declared Bert.
"I'm going to be fireman!" cried fat Freddie. "I'm going to put on coal
and squirt water on the fires!"
"I'm going to sit on deck and play with my dolls," spoke Flossie, who
was trying to climb up on Snap's back to get a ride.
Mrs. Bobbsey looked at her husband.
"Really?" she asked. "Have you bought the boat?"

"Yes," he replied, "I have. You know we have been thinking of it for
some time. Lake Metoka would be just fine for a houseboat, and we
could go on quite a cruise with one. Mr. Marvin wanted to sell his boat,
and as he and I had some business dealings, and as he owed me some
money, I took the boat in part payment."
"And is it ours now, Papa?" asked Bert.
"Yes, the houseboat is ours. It is called the Bluebird, and that is a good
name for it, since it is painted blue--like your eyes, little fat fairy!" he
cried, catching Flossie up in his arms.
"Is it a big boat, Papa?" asked Bert. Like most boys he liked things big
and strong.
"Well, I think it will be large enough," said Mr. Bobbsey with a smile
as he set down Flossie and caught up Freddie in the same way. "Were
you frightened when you fell down and saw the lumber team coming
toward you?" he asked.
"A little," Freddie said. "But I wished my legs were long enough so I
could ride Bert's bicycle. Then I could get out of the way."
"You'd better keep away from the wheel until you are bigger," said his
father, who had been told about the accident and the excitement. "But
now I must get back to the office. I have plenty of work to do."
"Oh, but can't you stay just a little longer, to tell us more about the
boat!" pleaded Nan. "When can we have a ride in it?"
"A boat is called 'her,'" interrupted Bert,
"Well, 'her' then," said Nan. "Tell us about HER, papa. I didn't hear
much at your office."
"You heard more than I meant you to," said Mr. Bobbsey with a smile.
"Nan came in with that letter just as Mr.