They crossed the drive, where traffic goes through the park, and so did we. They kept walking, and soon we all emerged near a fountain. "Bethesda Terrace," said Quint. "This is a neat place to hang out on a sunny day."

I saw a lake nearby, with rowboats on it. Red and Frank, headed toward it. "I wonder if they're going to go for a row!" I said, giggling. I wasn't feeling so nervous anymore. In fact, I was kind of enjoying myself.

"Stay close," said Quint. "We don't want to lose them if they go into the boathouse." He pointed to a building. "That's where you can rent boats. They also have bikes you can rent. Plus a cafe."

Next, we followed Red and Frank past the little pond where people sail their model sailboats. I remembered it from other visits. "There's the Alice statue," I said, pointing. I gazed at the giant statue of Alice in Wonder-

land. Every time I've seen it kids have been climbing all over it. That day was no exception.

"Watch out!" cried Quint. "They're getting ready to leave the park, I think. Hmmm, Seventy-ninth Street. Wonder where they're headed."

I was a little sorry to leave the park. I think it's my favorite place in New York, next to Lincoln Center, that is.

"Aha!" said Quint, after a few minutes. "They're going into the museum."

We stood for a moment and watched as Red and Frank climbed the big stone steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. it’s a huge building, and it looks incredibly impressive, but also kind of friendly. Why friendly? Well, for one thing, these colorful banners hang from the front. They put them up to announce special shows. Also, the steps are full of people who are waiting for friends, eating pretzels they've bought from vendors on the sidewalk, or just sitting in the sun. It looks like a fair or something.

We raced up the stairs behind Frank and Red, and into the dark, cool entrance. "Wow!" I said, looking around. We were in a huge, cavernous hall.