ll right, I guess you can watch the machine," said Mr. Bardeen.
"Skyrocket will help you keep guard over it."

"Who's Skyrocket?"

"This dog," and Uncle Toby pointed. Skyrocket had been holding back, for
he did not like strangers, especially ragged ones, and this boy was
rather ragged. But when Uncle Toby made it plain that the boy was to be
regarded as a friend, the dog wagged his tail in welcome and curled up
on the front seat.

"What are you going to do with the quarter I'm to give you for watching
the car?" asked Uncle Toby.

"I'm going to get something to eat with part of it," was the answer.
"I'm hungry. The rest I'm going to turn in to my mother. She needs it."

"Hum," said Uncle Toby, thoughtfully. "That's stretching a quarter
rather too much, I think. Now you sit out here in the car, and I'll have
the waiter bring you something to eat on a tray. Oh, don't worry!" Mr.
Bardeen hastened to say, with a smile. "It won't come out of your
quarter. I'll put it on my bill. And I'm going to have a bone sent out
for Skyrocket. He'll keep you company."

"Yes, sir. I like dogs," said the boy, with a smile. "I'm much obliged
to you. I'll watch your car good."

"Yes. I think you will. Well, children, run in and get started on your
lunch. I don't want to get to Pocono after dark, and it looks as if we
might get caught in a snow storm, but it may hold off."

The Curlytops and their playmates were ushered to their seats by a
waiter who smiled at them.

"Do you remember us?" asked Ted, while Uncle Toby was giving orders to
another waiter about sending something to eat out to the boy, and also a
bone for Skyrocket.

"Of course I remember you," the waiter answered, as he pushed the chairs
under Janet and Lola. "And I haven't forgotten what that little chap
did," and he pointed to William, who was staring about the room as if
trying to remember where he had seen it before.

"What did Trouble do?" asked Lola.

"He turned the faucet of the water-cooler and let the ice water run all
over the floor," explained Janet with a laugh. "Mother's feet were in
the puddle of water before we knew what had happened."

"Oh, Trouble!" chided Lola. "Did you do that?"

"Well--well, I didn't do it on pur--now--on purspuss!" stammered
Trouble, as they all laughed.

Uncle Toby came and sat down at the table with the children, and the
waiter who remembered the Curlytop party from their other visit was soon
busy serving them. A good meal