ars and
years before Daddy was born."

"Well, maybe they named it after his great, great, I don't know how many
great grandfathers," put in Laddie.

"No, it wasn't named after any one in our family," answered Daddy
Bunker.

The father also took the children out to the Charlestown Navy Yard, and
told them something about the navy and how our fighting men of the sea
helped to keep us a great and free people.

And then, one day, Russ saw his mother and father and Aunt Jo looking
over some papers and small books. Russ knew what they were--time tables,
to tell when trains and boats leave and arrive. He had seen them at his
father's real estate office, and also at the house in Pineville just
before the family started for Grandma Bell's.

"Oh, are we going home?" asked Russ, his voice showing the sadness he
felt at such a thing happening.

"Going home? What makes you think that?" asked his father.

"Indeed, I hope you're not going home for a good while yet," said Aunt
Jo. "It hardly seems a week since you came."

"Well, I'm glad you have enjoyed us," said Mother Bunker.

"But are we going home?" persisted Russ.

"No, not yet," answered his father. "You think because we are looking at
time tables we are going to leave. Well, we are, but we are only going
on an excursion, or picnic."

"Where?" asked Russ, and once more he felt happy.

"Out to Nantasket Beach," said Aunt Jo. "That's a nice trip by boat. It
takes about an hour and a half from Boston, and we are looking to see
what time the boats sail and come back."

"Oh, are we coming back?" asked Russ.

"Yes. We can only spend the day there," said his mother. "But Aunt Jo
says it is very nice. It's a sort of picnic ground, with all sorts of
things at which you can have fun. There are merry-go-rounds and
roller-coasters. And you can have nice things to eat, and can play in
the sand near the ocean."

"Oh, that'll be fun!" cried Russ. "When are we going?"

"To-morrow," answered Aunt Jo.

Russ jumped up and down, he was so happy, and ran out to tell the other
little Bunkers.

And the next day they all went out to Nantasket Beach. While they were
there something very strange and wonderful happened, and I'll tell you
all about it.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE MERRY-GO-ROUND

"Oh, look over here!"

"See this funny boat!"

"Look, Daddy! What's that man doing?"

"Oh, I hear some music!"

These were some of the things the six little Bunkers said and shout