ighbors'
affairs, but I always like to help."

"And I think Mrs. Ward needs some help," said Sue, "'cause she was
crying real hard."

"Then I'll go right over and see what is the matter," said kind Mrs.
Brown.

"Oh, and may we go too?" asked Bunny.

"Please let us," begged Sue.

Their mother thought for a minute. Sometimes, she knew, it was not good
for children to go where older persons were crying, and had trouble. But
Bunny Brown and his Sister Sue were two wise little children, wiser than
many of their age, and their mother knew she could depend on them. So,
after a few seconds, she said:

"Yes, you may come with me. We shall see what the matter is with Mrs.
Ward."

"And we'll help her too, if we can," added. Bunny, bravely.

Mrs. Brown, followed by Bunny and Sue, started for the home of Mrs.
Ward. A wide lawn was between the two houses, and on this lawn Bunny and
Sue, with their dog Splash, had much fun.

The Wards were a family who had lately moved to the street where the
Browns had lived for years. As yet Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Ward had gotten
only as far as a "nodding acquaintance." That is, Mrs. Brown, coming out
into her yard, would see Mrs. Ward, and would say:

"Good morning. It's a fine day; isn't it?"

"Yes, indeed it is," Mrs. Ward would answer.

Sometimes it would be Mrs. Ward who would first speak about the fine
weather and Mrs. Brown would answer. Both women would soon become better
acquainted.

Mr. Brown had seen Mr. Ward several mornings on his way to work, and,
knowing him to be the man next door, had nodded, and said: "Good
morning!" And Mr. Ward had said the same thing. They, too, would soon be
better acquainted.

"I know the Wards are nice people," said Sue, as she trotted along
beside her mother.

"What makes you think so?" asked Mrs. Brown, as she walked slowly across
her lawn toward the house next door.

"'Cause they have a nice dog named Dix, and he and Splash are good
friends. First they sort of growled at each other, and then they smelled
noses and now they always wag their tails when they meet."

"Well, that's a good sign," laughed Sue's mother.

"But I wonder what can be the matter with the boy next door," said Sue
to her brother. "Are you sure you heard Mr. and Mrs. Ward talking about
Fred?"

"Yes, I'm sure," answered Bunny.

"Well, I didn't hear that part," said Sue. "But we'll soon find out what
the matter is."

As the Browns walked across the lawn, a dog cam