g ready for the trip.

Of course they could not go to school in New York very well, but Mr.
Bobbsey arranged with the teachers in Lakeport that the twins could make
up, when they came back, any lessons they should miss. And as Nan and Bert
were ahead of their class, and as Flossie and Freddie were only in the
"baby" grade, where they did not have hard lessons, as yet, staying from
school would do not great harm to any of them.

But at last all was ready for the start. The trunks and valises had been
packed, the children had said good-bye to their many friends and
playmates, Dinah and Sam had gone away and the dog and cat had been sent
to board near the cook's home until the Bobbseys should come back.

Mr. Bobbsey had left his business with his partner to look after, and Bert
had said Tommy Todd could sail the ice-boat as much as he pleased while
Bert was in New York.

"Well, I guess we're ready to start," said Mr. Bobbsey, when the house had
been locked and the big automobile that was to take them to the station
was puffing out in front. "All aboard!"

"This isn't the train, Daddy!" laughed Nan.

"No, but we'll soon be there," her father answered, "Come along."

Into the automobile they piled, parents, twins, baggage and all, and off
they started. On the way to the depot Flossie cried:

"Oh, there's Uncle Jack!" and the sled of the woodchopper was seen moving
slowly down the village street, with a load of logs piled high on it.

"Poor old man," murmured Mrs. Bobbsey, "Did you see if you could help him
in any way?" she asked her husband.

"Yes, I have arranged it so that Uncle Jack will have plenty of food this
Winter. He can keep warm, for he has a stove and can cut all the wood he
wants. I sent our doctor to see him. But Dr. Haydon thinks Uncle Jack
should go to a hospital."

"Then why don't you send him? He was so good to the children----"

"I know he was, but he won't go to the hospital. He says he knows it costs
money and he won't let me spend any on him. But when I come back from New
York I'll see what I can do. I think he'll be all right for a while, poor
old man."

Uncle Jack, sitting on top of his load of wood, saw the children in the
automobile and waved to them. The Bobbsey twins waved back.

"We must bring him something from New York," said Freddie.

"We could get him a little toy chick, and then he wouldn't be lonesome.
Maybe he'd like that," added Flossie.

Little did the two small Bobbsey