human
What is going on here?
gpt
I'm going away, if that's what you mean! snapped out Mr. Blipper in angry tones.
human
I traced this runaway adopted son of mine here, and I'm taking him back with me. This lady says I can't!
gpt
I told him to wait until you came back, said Mrs. Bobbsey.
human
I didn't want him to take poor Bob away. I don't believe he has any right to take him.
gpt
I don't know who you are! spluttered the angry Mr. Blipper.
human
But you haven't any right to stop me.
gpt
This lady is my wife, said Mr. Bobbsey, and he spoke in such a way that Mr. Blipper at once lost some of his bluster.
human
She has the same right that any one has to inquire into something he thinks is wrong.
gpt
But this isn't wrong! cried Mr. Blipper.
human
I have a right to this boy. I adopted him legally, I did! I gave him a name when he didn't have any before. Bob Guess I call him, 'cause I had to guess at his name. I took him out of an orphan asylum and give him a good home!
gpt
Home! cried Bob Guess.
human
You didn't give me any _home_! You keep dragging me all over the country with that merry-go-round! I haven't any home except sleepin' in a truck.
gpt
You were glad enough to come with me!
human
Anyway, I'm sick of it. That's why I ran away.
gpt
Well, you're going to run back again!
human
Wait a minute, said Mr. Bobbsey.
gpt
Have you a legal right to this boy?
human
That's what I have. I expected some such question would be asked of me, and I brought along my papers. There they are. You can look 'em over for yourself.
gpt
Don't let him take me back! pleaded Bob Guess.
human
I don't like him!
gpt
I don't like you, when it comes to that! sneered the angry man.
human
But I'm going to have you back! I have a right to you, and you've got to work for me.
gpt
These papers seem to be all right, said Mr. Bobbsey, slowly.
human
He is your legal guardian, Bob. You had better go with him, and do as he says. But if he treats you cruelly let me know. I am going to the Bolton County Fair, and when I get there I'll keep my eye on you.
gpt
Say, who are you, anyhow?
human
My name is Bobbsey, answered the children's father.
gpt
I live in Lakeport. I thought perhaps you might know my name.
human
How should I know your name?
gpt
It was on some papers in my coat that disappeared from the Sunday school picnic grounds the day you had trouble with your engine near the grove.
human
Say! cried the merry-go-round owner,
gpt
Maybe you do,
human
And the lap robe!
gpt
Hush, Bert! warned his mother.
human
Leave this to Daddy!
gpt
Well, I don't know anything about your coat or a lap robe, either! declared Mr. Blipper.
human
All I know is that Bob ran away from me, and now I'm going to run him back!
gpt
Those papers show the boy is adopted, he said.
human
I can do nothing. But we'll keep our eyes on him. We are going to the fair, and if Bob is not kindly treated I'll complain to the Children's Aid Society.
gpt
You don't need to worry! gruffly said Mr. Blipper.
human
I'll treat him as well as he deserves.
gpt
Am I to keep these clothes?
human
Of course, said Mr. Bobbsey.
gpt
I bought them for you.
human
What's that? Who's been giving you clothes?
gpt
Don't you think he needed them?
human
Well--er--I was going to buy him a new suit after we took in some money at the Bolton Fair, sheepishly said Mr. Blipper.
gpt
I--I'm much obliged to you folks, though. Bob isn't a bad boy when he wants to be good. Come on now. I've a rig outside and we can get back to the fair grounds to-night if we hurry.
human
Good-by! called the Bobbsey twins.
gpt
We'll see you at the fair!
human
Good-by!