“Those papers show the boy is adopted,” he said.  “I can do nothing.  But we’ll keep our eyes on him.  We are going to the fair, and if Bob is not kindly treated I’ll complain to the Children’s Aid Society.”

“You don’t need to worry!” gruffly said Mr. Blipper.  “I’ll treat him as well as he deserves.”

“Am I to keep these clothes?” asked Bob, as Mr. Blipper led him away.

“Of course,” said Mr. Bobbsey.  “I bought them for you.”

“What’s that?  Who’s been giving you clothes?” demanded Mr. Blipper.

“Don’t you think he needed them?” inquired Mrs. Bobbsey, gently.

“Well—­er—­I was going to buy him a new suit after we took in some money at the Bolton Fair,” sheepishly said Mr. Blipper.  “I—­I’m much obliged to you folks, though.  Bob isn’t a bad boy when he wants to be good.  Come on now.  I’ve a rig outside and we can get back to the fair grounds to-night if we hurry.”

With a sad look at the friends who had been so kind to him, Bob followed his adopted father out of the room.  He did not cry, but he seemed to want to.

“Good-by!” called the Bobbsey twins.  “We’ll see you at the fair!”

“Good-by!” echoed Bob Guess.

The Bobbsey twins wondered when they would see him again.

It might be thought that the excitement of the runaway boy who was caught again would keep Bert and Nan awake.  Flossie and Freddie were too young to give the matter much attention.  But though the older Bobbsey twins felt sorry for the lad, they had the idea that their father would make matters all right concerning him, and so they did not lie awake vainly worrying.

They slept soundly, the night passed quietly, and in the morning after an early breakfast the family were on their way again in the automobile which had been mended during the night.

“We’ll soon be at Meadow Brook Farm, sha’n’t we?” asked Freddie over and over again.

“Yes,” his mother told him.

“And I’m going to milk a cow, I am!” announced Flossie.

“So’m I!” echoed Freddie.  “I’m goin’ milk two cows, I am!”

“I guess you mean you’re going to see them milked!” laughed Nan.  “Milking cows would be hard work even for Bert.”

“Maybe I could milk a little teeny weeny cow,” suggested Freddie.

“Well, we’ll have some fun, anyhow!” said Nan.

And fun they did have!  It started almost as soon as they reached the farm of their Uncle Daniel and Aunt Sarah.

“Say, I’m glad you came!” exclaimed Harry, as he greeted his four cousins while the older folks were talking among themselves.  “I have something fine to show you.”

“What?” asked Bert.

“A big swing!  You ought to see it!  It’s out under the apple tree down by the brook!”

“Oh, I’m going to sail my boat in the brook!” cried Freddie, as soon as he heard the mention of water.

“An’ I’ll get Rosamond an’ give her a ride on your boat!” cried Flossie.  Rosamond was a small doll Flossie had brought along.