“Oh yes,” Sue answered.  “But, anyhow, you’re all well now.  Oh, look out, Splash!” she cried as the big dog ran into a puddle of water and splashed it so that some got on Sue’s dress.  That is how Splash got his name—­from splashing into so many puddles.

But this time the water was from a clean brook that ran over green, mossy stones, and it did Sue’s dress no harm, for she had on one that Mrs. Brown had made purposely for wearing in the woods.

“Here we are, Momsie!” called Sue, as she and Bunny came running up to the camp where the tents were.

“What’s the surprise?” asked Bunny.

Just then they heard the Honk!  Honk! of an automobile, and as a car came on through the woods and up to the white tents, Bunny and Sue cried together: 

“Oh, it’s daddy!  Daddy has come home!”

“Yes, and he’s brought us something!” added Bunny.  “Look at the two big bundles, Sue!”

“Oh, Daddy!  Daddy Brown!  What have you brought?” cried the two children.

“Just a minute now, and I’ll show you,” said Mr. Brown, as he got out of the automobile and started for a tent, a big bundle under each arm.  The children danced about in delight and Splash barked.

CHAPTER II

THE PAIL OF MILK

“Oh, Mother! is this the surprise you had for us?” asked Sue, as she hopped about, first on one foot then on the other.  For she was so excited she could not keep still.

“No, this isn’t exactly what I meant,” said Mrs. Brown with a smile.  “Still, this is a very nice surprise, isn’t it?”

“Just the very nicest!” said Bunny.  “It’s nice to have daddy home, and it’s nice to have him bring something.”

“Oh, please tell us what it is—­you have two things,” went on Sue, as she looked at the two bundles which Mr. Brown carried, one under each arm.  “Is there something for each of us, Daddy?”

“Well, yes, I think so, Sue,” answered her father.  “But just wait——­”

“Oh, my dears! give your father a chance to get his breath,” laughed Mrs. Brown.  “Remember he has come all the way from the city in the auto, and he must be tired.  Come into the tent, and I’ll make you a cup of tea,” she went on.

“And then will you tell us what you brought us?” asked Bunny.

“Yes,” said Mr. Brown.

“Then let’s go in and watch him drink his tea,” said Sue, as she took hold of Bunny’s hand and led him toward the dining tent.  “We’ll know the minute he has finished,” she went on, “and we’ll be there when he opens the bundles.”

“All right,” said Mr. Brown.  “Come in if you like.”  And while he was sipping the tea which Mrs. Brown quickly made for him, the two children sat looking at the two bundles their father had brought.  One was quite heavy, Bunny noticed, and something rattled inside the box in which it was packed.  The other was lighter.  They were both about the same size.