"Hey!" called Freddie to the boy with the goat. "We've got two cents--we
want a ride."
The boy, who was sitting in an old goat wagon, pulled on the reins and
guided his animal over toward the curb.
"Does you really want a ride?" he asked, "No foolin'?"
"No foolin'," answered Freddie. "Sure we want a ride. I've got five
cents." He showed only half of the money he had in his pocket, keeping the
other nickel back.
"I'll give you an' your sister a ride for dat!" cried the goat boy, not
speaking the way Freddie and Flossie had been taught to do. "Hop in!"
"Can I drive?" asked Freddie.
"Nope. I'm afraid to let youse," was the answer. "Billy's a good goat, but
you see he don't just know you. Course I could introduce youse to him, an'
then he'd know you. But first along you'd better not drive him. I'll steer
him were you want to go. I gives a ride up an' down de block fer two
cents," he went on. "Course two of you is four cents."
"I've got a nickel," said Freddie quickly.
"Sure, dat's right. I forgot. Well, I'll give you both a ride up and down
de block and half way back again for de nickel."
"Here it is," said Freddie, handing it over, as he and Flossie took their
seats in the goat wagon. There was plenty of room for them and the
red-haired driver. Other children on the block crowded to the curbstone
and looked on with eager eyes as the Bobbsey twins started on their ride.
Mrs. Bobbsey, talking with her friend in the darkened parlor, knew nothing
of what was going on.
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