d.

"Well, come in to lunch now!" called Mrs. Bunker to the other children,
who were, playing in the yard. "And don't go away from the house this
afternoon. It's quite warm, and I don't want any of you to go off in the
blazing sun. If you do we can't go to Grandma Bell's."

This was enough to make them all promise they would spend the afternoon in
the shade near the house, while Mrs. Bunker and Norah went on with the
packing of the trunks. A great many things must be taken along on the
visit to Maine, when so many children have to be looked after. They used
up much clothing.

"How long're we going to stay at Grandma Bell's?" asked Russ, as he left
the dining-room after lunch.

"Oh, perhaps a month," his mother answered. "She told us to come and stay
as long as we liked, but I hardly think we shall be there all summer."

"Shall we come back home?" asked Rose.

"I hardly know," said Mrs. Bunker. "We may go to visit some of your
cousins or aunts--land knows you have enough!"

"Oh, wouldn't it be fun if we could go out West to Uncle Fred's ranch?"
cried Russ.

"I'd like to go see Cousin Tom at the seashore," put in Rose. "I love the
seashore."

"I like cowboys and Indians!" exclaimed Russ.

"Could we go see Aunt Jo, in Boston?" asked Laddie. "I'd like to go to a
big city like Boston."

"Maybe we could go there, some day," said Mrs. Bunker. "But why would you
like to go there, Laddie?"

"'Cause then maybe I could hear some new riddles. I didn't think up a new
one--not in two whole days!"

"My! That's too bad!" said Mr. Bunker, who had come home to lunch, and
who had heard all about Mun's balloon. "I'll give you a riddle, Laddie.
Why does our horse eat oats?"

"Wait a minute! Don't tell me!" cried the little boy. "Let me guess!"

He thought hard for a few seconds, and then gave as his answer:

"Because he can't get hay."

"No, that isn't it," said Mr. Bunker. And when Laddie had made some other
guesses, and when Russ, Rose and the remaining little Bunkers had tried to
give a reason, Daddy Bunker said:

"Our horse eats oats because he is hungry, the same as any other horse!
You mustn't always try to guess the hardest answers to riddles, Laddie.
Try the easy ones first!"

And then, amid laughter, Mr. Bunker started back to the office.

"Have you found that red-haired tramp yet, Daddy?" asked Russ. "And did
you get back your papers?"

"No, Russ, not yet. And I don't believe I ever shall."

"Maybe I c