Part 7 (1/2)

CHAPTER V

SNAP DOES TRICKS

”We'll have to carry them in,” said Mr. Bobbsey, as he looked in the rear of the auto, and saw his two little twins fast asleep on the dog's back.

”I'll take 'em,” said Sam kindly. ”Many a time I'se carried 'em in offen de porch when dey falled asleep. I'll carry 'em in.”

And he did, first taking Flossie, and then Freddie. Then he and Dinah brought in the bundles and valises, while Nan and Bert and Mr.

and Mrs. Bobbsey followed, having bidden good-night to Mr. Blake, and thanking him for the ride.

”Where--where are we?” asked Flossie, rubbing her eyes and looking around the room which she had not seen in some months.

”An'--an' where's our dog?” demanded Freddie.

”Oh, bless your hearts--that dog!” cried Mamma Bobbsey. ”Sam took him out in the barn. You may see him in the morning, if he doesn't run away in the night.”

The twins looked worried over this suggestion, until Sam said:

”Oh, I locked him up good an' proper in a box stall; 'deed an' I did, Mrs. Bobbsey. He won't get away to-night.”

”That's--good,” murmured Freddie, and then he fell asleep again.

Soon the little twins were undressed and put to bed. Nan and Bert soon followed, but Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey stayed up a little later to talk over certain matters.

”It's good to be home again,” said Mr. Bobbsey, as he looked about the rooms of the town house.

”Yes, but we had a delightful summer,” spoke his wife, ”and the children are so well. The country was delightful, and so was the seash.o.r.e. But I think I, too, am glad to be back. It will be quite a task, though, to get the children ready for school. Flossie and Freddie will go regularly now, I suppose, and with Nan and Bert in a higher cla.s.s, it means plenty of work.”

”I suppose so,” said her husband.

”But Dinah is a great help,” went on Mrs. Bobbsey, for she did not mean to complain. Flossie and Freddie had tried a few days in the kindergarten cla.s.s at school, but Flossie said she did not like it, and, as Freddie would not go without her, their parents had taken them both out in the Spring.

”There will be plenty of time to start them in the Fall,” said Mrs.

Bobbsey, and so it had been arranged. And now the four twins were all to attend the same school, which would open in about a week.

Flossie and Freddie were both up early the next morning, and, scarcely half-dressed, they hurried out to the barn.

”Whar yo' chillens gwine?” demanded Dinah, as she prepared to get breakfast.

”Out to see our dog,” answered Freddie. ”Is Sam around?”

”Yes, he's out dere somewheres, was.h.i.+n' de carriage. But don't yo' let 'at dog bite yo'.”

”We won't,” said Freddie.

”He wouldn't bite anyhow,” declared Flossie.

Sam opened the box stall for them, and out bounced the big white dog, barking in delight, and almost knocking down the twins, so glad was he to see them.