Flossie did not answer at once, but when she did she cried: 

“A monkey!”

“A monkey?” repeated her father.

“Yes, the monkeys in the park.  I read about them, and how they do such funny tricks their cages.  That’s what I want to see—­the monkeys in the park.”

“Oh, so do I!” cried Freddie.  “Can I see the monkeys and a fire too?”

“Well, I guess so,” answered his father.  “But we will hope no big fires will occur while we are in New York.  As for monkeys, I guess there will be plenty of them in the park.”

The children were so excited, thinking about the trip to the great city of New York, they could hardly sleep that night, even though they stayed up later than usual.

And the next day a busy time began.  Mrs. Bobbsey had to see to getting ready the clothes for herself and the children.  At this Nan helped some, but Flossie and Freddie could not, for they were too small.  Bert ran on a number of errands for his father, before and after school, for the children had their lessons to do even while getting ready for the trip.

Of course they could not go to school in New York very well, but Mr. Bobbsey arranged with the teachers in Lakeport that the twins could make up, when they came back, any lessons they should miss.  And as Nan and Bert were ahead of their class, and as Flossie and Freddie were only in the “baby” grade, where they did not have hard lessons, as yet, staying from school would do not great harm to any of them.

But at last all was ready for the start.  The trunks and valises had been packed, the children had said good-bye to their many friends and playmates, Dinah and Sam had gone away and the dog and cat had been sent to board near the cook’s home until the Bobbseys should come back.

Mr. Bobbsey had left his business with his partner to look after, and Bert had said Tommy Todd could sail the ice-boat as much as he pleased while Bert was in New York.

“Well, I guess we’re ready to start,” said Mr. Bobbsey, when the house had been locked and the big automobile that was to take them to the station was puffing out in front.  “All aboard!”

“This isn’t the train, Daddy!” laughed Nan.

“No, but we’ll soon be there,” her father answered, “Come along.”

Into the automobile they piled, parents, twins, baggage and all, and off they started.  On the way to the depot Flossie cried: 

“Oh, there’s Uncle Jack!” and the sled of the woodchopper was seen moving slowly down the village street, with a load of logs piled high on it.

“Poor old man,” murmured Mrs. Bobbsey, “Did you see if you could help him in any way?” she asked her husband.

“Yes, I have arranged it so that Uncle Jack will have plenty of food this Winter.  He can keep warm, for he has a stove and can cut all the wood he wants.  I sent our doctor to see him.  But Dr. Haydon thinks Uncle Jack should go to a hospital.”