This suited Sue, and, now that the dog question was settled, the automobile started on again.

For a little while everything was peaceful and quiet in the big automobile.  Bunny went outside on the front seat with his father, and looked down the road along which they were running.  It was a pleasant road, with trees arching across overhead from one side to the other.

Inside the big car Mrs. Brown and Uncle Tad “got things to rights,” as the children’s mother called it, while Sue took out some of her toys, including the big Teddy bear with the electric eyes, whose adventures have been told in the book just before this one.

Bunny and his father talked together on the seat in front.  Bunny was interested in whether or not they would find Fred.

“Well, we may and we may not,” said Mr. Brown.  “It is true Fred said he was going to run away to Portland, the city where we are going.  But we will not be there for some time, and before then Fred may think he does not like it there and go somewhere else.”

“Well, I think Dix will help find him, don’t you?” asked Bunny.

“Yes, I hope so, Son.”

Just then came a call from inside the automobile.

“Who’s ready for dinner?”

[Illustration:  THE TWO DOGS CAME WITH A RUSH. Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on an Auto Tour. Page 79.]

“I am!” cried Bunny, the first one.

“So am I,” added Sue.

“Then come on!  Rations are served,” said Uncle Tad who had been in the army.

He and Mrs. Brown had cooked their first meal on the gasolene stove in the little kitchen and dining room combined, and it was now ready to serve.

Bunny clambered in by way of the front seat and took his place at the little table.

“I think we had better stop beside the road while we eat,” said Mr. Brown.  “This automobile is all right for traveling, but the roads are so rough here that I may spill my tea.  So we’ll anchor and eat.”

“Daddy thinks we’re in a boat I guess, when he talks about anchoring,” said Sue, who, more than once, had been out in the big fishing boat with her father.

Then the meal began.  There was some cooked meat, for they could carry meat in the ice box, baked potatoes, and, best of all, some pie.

It was while he was eating his pie and drinking his milk that Bunny suddenly cried: 

“The dogs!”

“What about them?” asked Mrs. Brown quickly.  “Are they fighting?  Where are they, Bunny?”

“Just over in that field playing.  But we didn’t call Splash and Dix to dinner.”

“Oh, is that all?  I think they can wait a bit,” said Mrs. Brown with a laugh.  “By the way you spoke I thought something had happened.”

“Well, this pie tasted good, that’s part of what happened,” said Bunny, with a laugh.  “And then I got to wishing Dix and Splash could have some.”

“I’ll feed them when the rest of you have finished,” promised Mrs. Brown.