My
husband and I are taking care of Laddie."

"And Freddie is coming to play store and steam cars and automobile and
steam engine, with me, and--and----"

Laddie paused, trying to think of something else.

"Fireman," said Freddie. "We're going to play fireman."

"Oh, yes," agreed Laddie. "I forgot about that. We're going to play
fireman."

"And I'm going to play with 'em," added Flossie.

"Yes, she can come," said Laddie to his aunt. "I guess I'll like her,
though I don't know much about playin' with girls," he added.

"Well, you seem to have it all settled," laughed his aunt. The Bobbseys
and their new friends were standing in the theatre aisle, waiting for the
crowds ahead of them to pass out.

"We're strangers in New York," added Mrs. Bobbsey. "We are staying at the
Parkview Hotel----"

"Why, that's where my husband and I have been living for a number of
years," said Freddie's aunt. "My husband has a department store in Harlem,
but he likes to live in this section. I like the hotel very much. Won't
you let me call to see you?"

Mrs. Bobbsey said she would be very glad to, and so the two ladies, having
thus met, became friends, which Laddie and Freddie had done a little while
before. Laddie's aunt, whose name was Mrs. Whipple, said she would be glad
to have Freddie and Flossie, as well as Nan and Bert, come in to play with
Laddie.

"Though I am afraid your two larger twins are rather old for our small
boy," said Mrs. Whipple, who had no children of her own.

"Yes, Nan and Bert are getting a little older," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "But
Freddie and Flossie will be delighted to have a new play-fellow."

So it was arranged that the next day the two small twins were to go to the
Whipple apartment to play with Laddie, and Flossie and Freddie could
hardly wait for that time to come.

"Oh, I think New York is just the _nicest_ place!" said Flossie, as she
talked with Freddie about whether or not she might bring one doll with her
when she went to Laddie's hotel home.

"It's dandy!" said Freddie. "Don't you wish you were coming with us,
Bert?"

"Pooh! Dad is going to take _me_ to see the airships go up down at
Governor's Island. They go up even in Winter, for the airmen want to get
used to the cold, I guess," Bert said.

"Oh, I want to see the airships!" cried Freddie. "Can't Daddy take me,
too?" he asked his mother.

"Well, not this time, Freddie," said Mr. Bobbsey. "You and Flossie are
going to have some fun