“Thank you for taking care of the boy,” went on Laddie’s father to the man.  “If you have ever traveled with children you know what a task it is to watch out for them.”

“Oh, indeed I know.  I have four of my own,” said the man.  Then he waved his hand to Laddie, saying:  “Good-bye, Little Bunker.”

“Good-bye!” Laddie called to the man whose hand he had taken in mistake, then he hurried off with his father to where Mrs. Bunker and the others were waiting.

“Laddie! where were you?” asked his mother.

“He had the wrong daddy,” explained Mr. Bunker.

“And he told me something like a riddle, only it wasn’t,” went on the little boy.  “It was like the Injuns verse.  ’Six little Bunkers in a bee hive, one got lost and then there were five.’”

“But we weren’t in a bee hive!” cried out Russ.

“I know.  The man didn’t say bee hive, either,” Laddie admitted.  “But I don’t know what it was.  Anyhow he was a nice man and it was a funny little verse.”

A little later the family got aboard another train, and started off on a short ride that would bring them to Sagatook, whence they could drive to the lake where Grandma Bell lived.

This part of the railroad journey was not very long, and they rode in an ordinary day coach, and not in a heavy sleeping car with big seats.

Now and then the train passed through places where there were big trees growing.

“Are they the woods?” asked Russ with much interest.

“Yes,” his father told him.  “Maine has in it many woods, and there are big forests around Lake Sagatook where Grandma Bell lives.  You must be careful not to get lost in them.”

“I’ll be careful,” promised Russ.

A little later the train puffed in at a small station and there the Bunkers got out.  They saw, waiting, a big automobile, though it was not as nice as the one they had at home.

“Are you the Bunkers?” asked a man standing near the automobile.

“Yes,” answered Mr. Bunker.  “Were you waiting for us?”

“I was.  Mrs. Bell hired me to come over and get you.  You see I’m about the only one that’s got an auto in these parts, and as it’s quite a drive through the woods for a team, Mrs. Bell thought maybe I’d better come in my machine.”

“I’m glad you did,” said Mr. Bunker.  “There will be room for all of us in it.”

“Yes, and the baggage too,” said the man, who said he was Mr. Jim Mead.  “When I get an auto I want one big enough for the whole family.  Pile in now, children, and make yourselves at home.”

“Do you know our Grandma Bell?” asked Russ of Mr. Mead.

“I should say I did!” he answered.  “She and I are neighbors and good friends.  Pile in and I’ll soon have you out at the lake.”

“Is it a nice lake?” asked Vi.

“It is indeed, little pussy,” answered Mr. Mead, playfully pinching her chubby cheek.  “It’s the finest lake in the world.  And it’s as blue as his eyes,” and he pointed to Mun Bun, who was kicking the big auto tires with the toes of his shoes to see how hard they were.