"Where is Tom Vine?"
"He was here a minute ago," Bunny said.
"I think he went to the spring to get a pail of water," put in Uncle Tad.
"Yes, that's where he went," said Mrs. Brown. "I said we would need some fresh water, and he went after it."
"Well, we won't wait for him," said Daddy Brown. "We'll eat, and he can have his breakfast when he comes."
But the others had finished breakfast, and Tom Vine had not come back from the spring, though they waited for some time.
"I wonder what's keeping him," said Mrs. Brown.
"He couldn't have fallen in; could he?" asked Uncle Tad.
"No, the spring isn't large enough," Bunker Blue answered. "I'll go to look for him." Bunker ran off along the path that led to the spring. In a little while he came hurrying back. He carried a pail full of water, and he said:
"I found the empty pail by the spring, but Tom was gone!"
