tails will
be fastened the piece of cloth your dog likes so to tease. He'll grab
hold of that, hang on, and I'll drag him across the stage. That ought to
make the people laugh."

"I think it will," said Bunny. "And they'll think Splash is really mad
at you, won't they?"

"I think they will, if we don't let them know any different," said the
actor, with a laugh. "We must keep this part of our play a secret."

"Oh, yes! I love a secret!" said Sue. "We won't tell anybody."

"Splash is a smart dog," said Bunny, as he patted his pet.

"Indeed he is!" declared Mr. Treadwell. "He learned this hanging on
trick much sooner than I thought he would. He likes to chase after me
and let me drag him by my coat-tails."

After Splash had had a little rest the actor put him through the trick
again, and Bunny and Sue laughed as they saw their dog swinging about
the yard, making believe to chase a tramp. Of course, Mr. Treadwell was
not dressed like a tramp now, though he would be in the first act of the
play.

If Bunny and Sue could have had their way they would not have gone to
school at all during the days when they were getting ready to give the
play, "Down on the Farm." All the other boys and girls who were to be in
it, also, would have been glad to stay at home from lessons, but, of
course, that would never do. But all the time they had to spare from
their books, Bunny, Sue, and the others spent either in practicing their
parts or going to the hall over the hardware store where the performance
was to be given.

Bunny and Sue had about learned their parts now, and so had most of the
other children. Some were slower than others, and had to be told over
and over again what to do. But, on the whole, Mr. Treadwell said he was
well pleased.

School would close for the holidays a week before Christmas, and then
there would be more time to rehearse. Meanwhile Bunny, Sue, and their
friends had fun on the snow and ice as well as in practicing for the
show.

Each day Mart and Lucile anxiously waited for the mail, to see if there
were any replies to the letters sent out, seeking news of their uncles
and their aunt. But no word came.

"I don't believe we'll ever hear," said Lucile with a sigh.

"It doesn't seem so," agreed her brother. "I guess we'll soon have to
begin looking for another place with some show company on the road. I
have almost enough money saved to take us to New York."

"Oh, but we can't let you go yet a while,"