Part 29 (2/2)

”It would be fun if we had your electric train now and my Sallie Malinda,” said Sue.

”That's right!” exclaimed Bunny. ”But I don't s'pose we'll ever get 'em.”

”No, I s'pose not,” sighed Sue.

The children were trying to think of a rainy-day game to play and wis.h.i.+ng they could go out, when there came a knock on the main tent pole, which was the nearest thing to a front door in the camp.

”Oh, it's Mrs. Preston, the egg lady,” said Sue, who, out of a celluloid tent window, had watched the visitor coming to the camp.

”She can't be coming with eggs,” said Mrs. Brown, ”for I bought some only yesterday.” Mrs. Preston quickly told what she wanted.

”I've come for your two children, Mrs. Brown,” she said. ”I know how hard it is to keep them cooped up and amused on a rainy day.

”Now over at our house we have a lovely big attic, filled with all sorts of old-fas.h.i.+oned things that the children of our neighbors play with.

They can't harm them, and they can't harm themselves. Don't you want to let Bunny and Sue come over to my attic to play?”

”Oh, yes, Mother, please do!” begged Bunny.

”And it's only such a little way that we won't get wet at all,” said Sue. ”We can wear rubbers and take umbrellas.”

”Well, if you're sure it won't be any bother, Mrs. Preston,” said Mrs.

Brown.

”No bother at all! Glad to have them,” answered Mrs. Preston. ”Get ready, my dears!”

And Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were soon on their way to have rainy-day fun in an attic.

CHAPTER XXI

”WHERE IS SUE?”

”Now children, the attic is yours for the day,” said Mrs. Preston, after she had led Bunny Brown and his sister into the house, and had helped them get off their wet coats. ”You are to do just as you please, for there is nothing in the attic you can harm.”

”Oh, won't we have fun?” cried Sue.

”I should say so!” exclaimed Bunny. ”Are there any old guns or swords up there we can play soldier with?” asked the little boy.

”Yes, I think so,” answered Mrs. Preston. ”The guns are very old and can't be shot off, and the swords are very dull, so you can't hurt yourself. Still, be careful.”

”We will,” promised Bunny. ”I wish I had another boy to play with. Sue makes a good nurse, but she isn't much of a soldier.”

”I can holler 'Bang!' as loud as you,” protested Sue.

”Yes, I know you can, but who ever heard of women soldiers? They are all right for nurses, and Sue can bandage your arm up awful tight, just like it was really shot off. But she can't act like a real soldier, Mrs.

Preston.”

<script>