“Oh, yes, I can ride home on his back, if you’ll let me,” said the little boy.

“School is almost over for the day, and also for the term,” said the teacher with a smile.  “You may be excused.”

But Bunny did not have to leave.  For just then in came Bunker Blue, the young man who worked for Mr. Brown at the fish and boat dock.

“Oh, you’re in here, are you?” asked Bunker, speaking to Toby and taking hold of the thick mane of the little horse.

“Did he run away?” asked Bunny of Bunker.  “Did he get out of his stall?”

“Not exactly,” explained the tall young helper.  “I was taking him down to the blacksmith shop to have new shoes put on him.  I left him in front of the hardware store while I went in to get something for your father, Bunny, and when I came out Toby had slipped from his halter.  I didn’t know where he was until some one said they saw him come into the schoolhouse.”

“He hasn’t done any harm,” remarked Miss Bradley.

“How did he get loose from the pony cart?” Sue asked.

“He wasn’t hitched to the pony cart,” answered Bunker Blue.  “I was just leading him by the halter, but I guess I didn’t have it strapped tight enough.  Come along, Toby,” he added.  “I guess you’ve said your lessons,” and the whole class, teacher and all, joined in the laugh which Bunker Blue started.

Toby whinnied, which was his way of laughing, I suppose, and then Bunker Blue led him forth from the classroom.  So Bunny didn’t have to leave school to ride his pet home, though I believe the little boy would have been very glad to do so—­as would, in fact, any boy in the class.

“Well, now we will go on with our exercises,” said Miss Bradley.  “Can you remember your recitation now, Bobbie?”

The appearance of Toby seemed to have had a good effect, for Bobbie began again about Mary and her lamb, and gave all the verses, without forgetting a single line.  Every one clapped his or her hands when he finished and made his bow.

In turn the other children recited.  Then came the singing of some songs in which the whole school joined in the big assembly hall, and the “last day,” ended.

“Now for the long vacation!” cried Bunny Brown, as he raced out of the schoolyard with the other boys.

“And lots of fun!” added Charlie Star.

“We’ll go camping!” said George Watson.

“And sail boats!” added Harry Bentley.

The girls, too, were no less joyful.  They talked of what they would do, of the play parties they would have and of picnics in the woods.

“Will you play store any more?” asked Mary Watson of Sue.

“Oh, I guess so,” was the answer.  “Bunny and I like that fun.  Bunny wants to keep a real store when he grows up.  Sometimes he lifts things down from the shelves for Mrs. Golden in her store.”

Laughing, shouting, tagging each other, and running away, talking of what they would do during the long vacation, the school children ran on through the streets of Lakeport.