and Mun Bun said something, though they could
not be sure just what it was, as he was still chewing on a bit of
cracker he had carried from the table with him.

"I guess he means he'll go, too," said his mother. "But after this, Mun
Bun, my dear, finish your eating at the table, and don't be dropping
cracker crumbs all over Aunt Jo's floor."

"I get Alexis, and he pick 'em up," said Mun Bun; and he started for the
door to let in the big dog.

"No, don't!" laughed Aunt Jo. "Alexis has just been given a bath by
William, and our dog pet is wet. He'd be worse for the floor than a few
crumbs are. I'll have them swept up, Mun Bun. But come, let's get ready
for the auto ride."

When the time to go came, Russ and Laddie said they wanted to stay at
home. This was unusual. Generally they were the first to want to go.

"Why aren't you coming?" asked Rose of Russ. "Maybe we might find my
doll that sailed away with the balloons."

"Oh, I don't guess you will," said Russ.

"Anyhow, Laddie and I are going to make some things when you're gone.
We've got to make 'em so we can fly 'em with Tom Martin. He's going to
make one, too."

"Will it fly?" asked Rose. "Oh, is it an airship?"

"No, it's just a kite," said Russ. "I started to make one, but I didn't
finish. Now I'm going to make a good one so it will fly away up high.
And so are Laddie and Tom. That's why we don't want to go in the auto."

"All right, then we'll leave you and Laddie at home with your father and
William," said Aunt Jo, for she was going to run the car herself.

"Be good boys," begged Mrs. Bunker.

"We will!" promised Russ.

"And you won't spin tops and break any more windows, will you?" inquired
Aunt Jo.

"Nope!" agreed Laddie. "We'll just fly kites, and they can't break
windows, or do any thing else."

But you just wait and see what happens.

After Aunt Jo and the others had gone off in the car, Russ and Laddie
got their paste, paper and string, and began making kites. Russ knew how
pretty well, and he showed Laddie. They made kites with tails on them,
as these are easier for small boys to build, though they are not so easy
to fly as the kind without tails. The tails of kites get tangled in so
many things.

"Now mine's done," said Russ, as he held up his finished toy.

"I wish mine was," replied Laddie.

"I'll help you," offered his brother, and he did.

The two boys were soon ready to go to a vacant lot not far from Aunt
Jo's house, to fly