Mr. Holiday is traveling to restore his health -- which means a lot of sight-seeing for the children. Rollo, twelve years old, has seen a little of London -- and now the family group is to proceed across the channel to France. Even more fun looms -- for Mr. and Mrs. Holiday say he may travel separately with his Uncle George, if he so wishes.

The two of them board a midnight steamer leaving England, beneath the glow of stars and the gas-lamps lining the piers . . .

"I have no doubt, myself," says Uncle George, "that nearly all the accidents that will happen to you in Paris will come from boyish heedlessness and blundering on your part "

"We'll see " said Rollo.