THE WIRE FENCE 135
"Well, I hope you have good luck," laughed Mr. Bobbsey.
The supper was much enjoyed. The fish, which Will had given the Bobbseys, made a fine meal, with the corn muffins and other things Dinah cooked. After supper they all sat out on the deck of the houseboat, enjoying the beautiful June evening. From the farm of Mr. Hardee came the sounds of mooing cows, and whinnying horses, with an occasional grunt of the pigs, or the barking of dogs.
Nothing was seen of the farmer himself, or of poor Will.
"Can you do anything for him?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey of her husband, after the children had gone to bed that night.
"I hope so, yes. If, as he says, he has an uncle somewhere in the West, and I can get his address, I'll write to him, and ask him to look after Will. The boy needs a good home."
"Indeed he does. Oh, I'm so glad you didn't let him get that whipping!"
"I'll help him all I can," promised Mr. Bobbsey.
The twins' father rather hoped that the
