LITMIR.BIZ

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on Bert’s shoulder.

      When Bert came down the ladder those standing around set up a cheer, and Freddie and Flossie clapped their hands in delight.

      “Oh, I’m so glad you got him back!” said Freddie and hugged the kitten almost to death.

      “What boy was that who threw the stone?” asked Mr. Roscoe of Nan, while Bert was returning the ladder to the cow-shed.

      “That was Danny Rugg,” answered Nan. “He is a bad boy.”

      “I know he is a bad boy,” said Mr. Roscoe. “A very bad boy indeed.” And then the old man hurried off without another word. What he said meant a good deal, as we shall soon see.

      CHAPTER XXII

      The Last of the Ghost—Good-Night

      The rescue of the kitten was the main subject of conversation that evening in the Bobbsey household.

      “I never dreamed he would go up with the kite,” said Flossie. “After this we’ll have to keep him in the house when Bert and Freddie do their kite-flying.”

      Bert had seen Danny Rugg throw the stone at the kitten and was very angry over it. He had also seen Danny talk to Nan.

      “I think he’s an awful boy,” declared Nan. “And Mr. Roscoe thinks he is bad, too.”

      “He had better stop throwing things or he’ll get himself into trouble before long,” said Bert.

      “It’s odd Mr. Ringley never heard about the window,” whispered his twin sister.

      “So it is. But it may come out yet,” replied the brother.

      That evening the Bobbseys had their first strawberry shortcake of the season. It was a beautiful cake—one of Dinah’s best—and the strawberries were large and luscious.

      “Want another piece,” said Freddie, smacking his lips. “It’s so good, mamma!”

      “Freddie, I think you have had enough,” said Mrs. Bobbsey.

      “Oh, mamma, just a little piece more!” pleaded Freddie, and received the piece, much to his satisfaction.

      “Strawberries is beautiful,” he declared. “I’m going to raise a whole lot on the farm this summer.”

      “Oh, mamma, are we going to Uncle Dan’s farm this summer?” burst out Nan eagerly.

      “Perhaps, Nan,” was the reply. “I expect a letter very shortly.”

      “Meadow Brook is a dandy place,” said Bert. “Such a fine swimming hole in the brook!”

      “Oh, I love the flowers, and the chickens and cows!” said Flossie.

      “I like the rides on the loads of hay,” said Nan.

      The children talked the subject over until it was time to go to bed. Their Uncle Dan and Aunt Sarah lived at Meadow Brook, and so did their cousin Harry, a boy a little older than Bert, and one who was full of fun and very good-natured in the bargain.

      Bert went to bed with his head full of plans for the summer. What glorious times they could have after school closed if they went to their uncle’s farm!

      It was a full hour before Bert got to sleep. The room was quite bright, for the moon was shining in the corner window. The moon made him think of the ghost he had once seen and he gave a little shudder. He never wanted to see that ghost again.

      Bert had been asleep less than an hour when he awoke with a start. He felt sure somebody had touched him on the foot. He opened his eyes at once and looked toward the end of his bed.

      The ghost was standing there!

      At first Bert could scarcely believe that he saw aright. But it was true and he promptly dove under the covers.

      Then he thought of Danny Rugg’s cry, “Afraid of a ghost!” and he felt that he ought to have more courage.

      “I’m going to see what that is,” he said to himself, and shoved back the covers once more.

      The figure in white had moved toward the corner of the room. It made no noise and Bert wondered how it would turn next.

      “Wonder what will happen if I grab it, or yell?” he asked himself.

      With equal silence Bert crawled out of bed. Close at hand stood his base-ball bat, which he had used a few days before. It made a formidable club, and he took hold of it with a good deal of satisfaction.

      “Want another piece of strawberry shortcake,” came to his ears. “Please give me another piece of strawberry shortcake.”

      Bert could hardly believe his ears. It was the ghost that was speaking! It wanted strawberry shortcake!

      “Freddie!” he almost shouted. “Freddie, is it you?”

      The ghost did not answer, but turned towards the door leading into the hallway. Bert ran after the figure in white and caught it by the arm.

      The ghost was really Freddie, and he was walking in his sleep, with his eyes tightly closed.

      “Well, I declare!” murmured Bert. “Why didn’t we think of this before?”

      “Please let me have another piece of strawberry shortcake, mamma,” pleaded the sleep-walker. “Just a tiny little piece.”

      Bert had heard that it was a bad thing to awaken a sleep-walker too suddenly, so he took Freddie’s arm very gently and walked the little fellow back to his bedroom and placed him on his bed. Then he shook him very gently.

      “Oh!” cried Freddie. “Oh! Wha—what do you want? Let me sleep! It isn’t time to get up yet.”

      “Freddie, I want you to wake up,” said Bert.

      “Who is talking?” came from across the hallway, in Mr. Bobbsey’s voice.

      “I’m talking, papa,” answered Bert. He ran to the doorway of his parents’ bedchamber. “I’ve just found out who the ghost is,” he continued.

      “The ghost?” Mr. Bobbsey leaped up. “Where is it?”

      “In bed now. It was Freddie, walking in his sleep. He was asking for another piece of strawberry shortcake.”

      By this time the whole household was wide awake.

      “Oh, Freddie, was it really you?” cried Nan, going to the little fellow.

      “Wasn’t walking in my sleep,” said Freddie. “Was dreaming ’bout shortcake, that’s all. Want to go to sleep again,” and he turned over on his pillow.

      “Let him sleep,” said Mrs. Bobbsey. “We’ll have to consult the doctor about this. He will have to have something for his digestion and eat less before going to bed in the future.” And the next day the doctor was called in and gave Freddie something which broke up the sleep-walking to a very large extent.

      “I am glad you caught Freddie,” said Nan, to her twin brother. “If you hadn’t, I should always have believed that we had seen a ghost.”

      “Glad I don’t walk in my sleep,” said Flossie. “I might tumble downstairs and break my nose.”

      “I shall watch Freddie in the future,” said Mrs. Bobbsey, and she did.

      When Bert went to school the next day he met Danny Rugg and the tall boy glared at him very angrily.

      “Think you are smart, don’t you?” said Danny. “I’m not going to stand it, Bert Bobbsey.”

      “Oh, Bert, come along and don’t speak to him,” whispered Nan, who was with her twin brother.

      “Went and saw Ringley, didn’t you?” went on Danny, edging closer.

      “Keep away, Danny Rugg,” answered Bert. “I want nothing to do with you, and I haven’t

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