Flossie and Freddie thought that almost as good as if they had stayed in the city.
"And Laddie is coming, too!" cried Freddie. "We'll have heaps of good times."
"And maybe we'll get a goat," said Flossie. "If we do, I'm going to drive him sometimes."
"Yes, you can," agreed Freddie.
Mr. Bobbsey closed up most of his New York business matters, and Mr. Whipple, with his wife and Laddie, got ready to go to Lakeport with the Bobbseys. Word was sent to Dinah, the fat cook, and her husband, Sam, to get the Lakeport house ready for the family and for the Whipples, who would stay with them for a short time.
Another telegram came from the hospital about Uncle Jack. It said he was doing well, and that his mind was clear. He was certain he was John Whipple, and that he had relations somewhere. But, for fear there might be a disappointment, after all, no word was sent him about Mr. Daniel Whipple's coming on. Nor was Laddie's mother, in California, told. They wanted to make sure there would be no mistake.
