out the
only one that's got an auto in these parts, and as it's quite a drive
through the woods for a team, Mrs. Bell thought maybe I'd better come in
my machine."

"I'm glad you did," said Mr. Bunker. "There will be room for all of us in
it."

"Yes, and the baggage too," said the man, who said he was Mr. Jim Mead.
"When I get an auto I want one big enough for the whole family. Pile in
now, children, and make yourselves at home."

"Do you know our Grandma Bell?" asked Russ of Mr. Mead.

"I should say I did!" he answered. "She and I are neighbors and good
friends. Pile in and I'll soon have you out at the lake."

"Is it a nice lake?" asked Vi.

"It is indeed, little pussy," answered Mr. Mead, playfully pinching her
chubby cheek. "It's the finest lake in the world. And it's as blue as his
eyes," and he pointed to Mun Bun, who was kicking the big auto tires with
the toes of his shoes to see how hard they were.

"I guess we'll like it there," said Rose, as she smoothed out her doll's
dress.

"I'm going to swim!" declared Russ.

"Well, pile in, and I'll soon have you at Grandma Bell's," said Mr. Mead,
and very quickly the automobile was chugging along a woodland road, under
tall, green trees.

"There's the house," said Mr. Mead, in about half an hour, as he pointed
through the trees. The children had a glimpse of a big white house near
the shore of a blue lake amid the trees, and a little later they were
getting out of the machine on the drive, while a dear old lady, with
pretty white hair, was kissing Mother Bunker.

"Oh, I'm glad to see you! Glad to see you--every one!" cried Grandma Bell.
"I'm very glad you came. Let me see if you're all here. Daddy, mother, and
six little Bunkers, that's right. Now come right in and get something to
eat! I'm so glad to see you!"

And as the six little Bunkers started to go into the house, suddenly a
strange voice that seemed to come from the woods cried:

"Let me out! Let me out! Take me! Don't leave me behind!"

Every one looked at every one else. Were any of the little Bunkers
missing?

CHAPTER XII

RUSS COULDN'T STOP

"Mercy me!" cried Grandma Bell as she heard the strange voice. "What is
that?"

As if in answer the call came again:

"Take me out! Don't leave me here! I want to go! Take me! Oh, my eye, give
me some pie!"

"It's in the automobile!" said Daddy Bunker.

"But who can it be?" asked his wife.

"You must have forgotten and left one of t