“Oh, yes, Mother, please do!” begged Bunny.

“And it’s only such a little way that we won’t get wet at all,” said Sue.  “We can wear rubbers and take umbrellas.”

“Well, if you’re sure it won’t be any bother, Mrs. Preston,” said Mrs. Brown.

“No bother at all!  Glad to have them,” answered Mrs. Preston.  “Get ready, my dears!”

And Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were soon on their way to have rainy-day fun in an attic.

CHAPTER XXI

“WHERE IS SUE?”

“Now children, the attic is yours for the day,” said Mrs. Preston, after she had led Bunny Brown and his sister into the house, and had helped them get off their wet coats.  “You are to do just as you please, for there is nothing in the attic you can harm.”

“Oh, won’t we have fun?” cried Sue.

“I should say so!” exclaimed Bunny.  “Are there any old guns or swords up there we can play soldier with?” asked the little boy.

“Yes, I think so,” answered Mrs. Preston.  “The guns are very old and can’t be shot off, and the swords are very dull, so you can’t hurt yourself.  Still, be careful.”

“We will,” promised Bunny.  “I wish I had another boy to play with.  Sue makes a good nurse, but she isn’t much of a soldier.”

“I can holler ‘Bang!’ as loud as you,” protested Sue.

“Yes, I know you can, but who ever heard of women soldiers?  They are all right for nurses, and Sue can bandage your arm up awful tight, just like it was really shot off.  But she can’t act like a real soldier, Mrs. Preston.”

“Maybe the boy I have asked over to play in the attic with you can,” suggested Mrs. Preston.

“Oh, is there another boy coming?” asked Bunny eagerly.

“Yes.  And a girl, too.  They are Charlie and Rose Parker, and they live down the road a way.  They are a new family that has just moved in, and they haven’t an attic in their house, any more then you have in your tent.  So I ask them over every rainy day, for I know that it is hard for children to stay in the house.”

“Oh, I hope they come soon!” exclaimed Bunny.  “I want to have some fun!”

“I think I hear them now,” said Mrs. Preston, as a knock sounded at the back door.  “Yes, here they are,” she called to Bunny and Sue, who were sitting in the dining room.  “Come now, young folks, get acquainted, and then go up to the attic to play.”

Charlie and Rose Parker, being about the age of Bunny and Sue, did not take long to grow friendly.  And the Brown children, having often met strangers, were not a bit bashful, so the four soon felt that they had known each other a long time.

“Now up to the attic with you, and have your fun!” directed Mrs. Preston.  “Use anything you want to play with, but, when you are through, put everything back where you found it.”

“We will!” promised the children, and up the stairs they went, laughing and shouting.