“Then couldn’t we go out and see the President while mother stays here and visits with Mrs. Martin?” asked Nan.  “Nell and Billy will go with us.”

“I think they might go,” said Mrs. Martin.  “Billy and Nell know their way to the White House very well, as they often go.  It isn’t far from here.”

“Well, I suppose they may go,” said Mrs. Bobbsey slowly.

“And I want to go, too!” exclaimed Freddie.  “I want to see the dent.”

“It isn’t a dent—­it’s President—­the head of the United States!” explained Bert.  “Our teacher told us about him, and she said if ever I came to Washington I ought to see the President.”

“I want to see him too,” cried Flossie.

“Let all the children go!” said Mrs. Martin.  “I’ll send one of my maids to walk along with them to make sure that they keep together.  It is a nice day, and they may catch a glimpse of the President.  He often goes for a drive from the White House around Washington about this time.”

“Well, I suppose it will be a little treat for them,” said Mrs. Bobbsey.

“Oh, goodie!” shouted Freddie.

So, a little later, the Bobbsey twins, with Nell and Billy Martin and one of the Martin maids, were walking toward the White House.

“There it is!” exclaimed Billy to Bert, as they turned the corner and came within view of the Executive Mansion, as it is often called.

“Oh, it is white!” cried Nan.

“Just like the pictures!” added Bert.

“It’s got a big iron fence around,” observed Freddie.  “Is that so the President can’t get out?”

“No, I guess it’s so no unwanted people can get in,” answered Nell.

The children and the maid walked down the street and looked through the iron fence into the big grounds, green even now though it was early winter.  And in the midst of a great lawn stood the White House—­the home of the President of the United States.

Suddenly two big iron gates were swung open.  Several policemen began walking toward them from the lawn and some from the street outside.

“What’s the matter?” asked Bert.  “Is there a fire?”

“The President is coming out in his carriage,” said Billy.  “If we stand here we can see him!  Look!  Here comes the President!”

CHAPTER XII

WASHINGTON MONUMENT

Down the White House driveway rolled the carriage, drawn by the prancing horses.  It was coming toward the iron gate near which, on the sidewalk, stood the Bobbsey twins, with their new friends, Billy and Nell Martin.

On the front seat of the carriage, which was an open one, in spite of the fact that the day was cool, though not very cold, sat two men.  One drove the horses and the other sat up very straight and still.

“I should think he’d have an automobile,” remarked Bert.

“He has,” answered Billy.  “He has an auto—­two of ’em, I guess.  But lots of times he rides around Washington in a carriage just as he’s doing now.”