earch of them.

"What kept you so long, children?" asked Mrs. Brown, anxiously.

"Oh, we saw a squirrel," said Bunny.

"And we set the milk pail down and chased it--chased the squirrel I
mean," added Sue.

"And then a dog drank up the milk," went on Bunny.

"And we couldn't get any more at the farmhouse," said Sue, speaking
next.

"But the ragged man, who lives in a cabin in the woods, and has a cow
with the crumpled horn though she didn't jump over the moon--he gave us
more milk for six cents," said Bunny, all in one breath.

"What's this about a ragged man?" asked Mr. Brown quickly, "and where
does he live?"

The children explained. Mr. and Mrs. Brown looked at one another and
then Mr. Brown said:

"Well, the ragged man meant all right, and he was very kind. But I
wouldn't go off into the woods with strangers again, Bunny and Sue. They
might get lost, or you might, and there would be a dreadful time until
we found you again. After this don't set your milk pail down, and you
won't have to hunt around for milk for supper. Now wash and get ready to
eat the surprise."

"Can't I play with my electric train a little while?" asked Bunny.

"And can't I play with my Teddy bear?"

"Yes, I guess so," answered Mrs. Brown.

"I've got your train in running order," said Mr. Brown. "You can play
with it outside, near the campfire. But at night we'll have to take it
into the tent, for there might be rain."

Mr. Brown soon showed Bunny how to start and stop the electric train by
turning a switch. The train was pulled by a little locomotive made of
steel and tin. Inside was a tiny electric motor, which was worked by a
current from the dry battery cells, such as make your door bell ring,
except that they were stronger.

"All aboard for the city, on track five!" cried Bunny, as he had heard
the starter in the railroad station cry.

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" cried Sue. "I want to get on the train
with my Teddy bear that makes her eyes all light."

"Make-believe, you mean; don't you?" asked Bunny.

"Of course make-believe," answered Sue. "I couldn't sit on your little
cars.

"Maybe the Teddy bear could," she added.

"Oh, let's try," said Bunny. "Then we could give him a truly, really
ride."

The Teddy bear was quite large, but not very heavy, and by stretching it
along three cars it could get on the train very nicely. It was even too
long for three cars, but hanging over a bit did not matter, Sue said.

S