He accepted the money with murmured thanks, and as Mr. Carford climbed
into the sled, limping more than ever after his run up the hill, the
aged man muttered:

"The second time a Bobbsey has been mixed up in my affairs. I wonder
what will happen when the third time comes?"

Calling good-byes to the boys and girls, and again thanking them for
what they had done, Mr. Carford drove off amid a jingle of bells.

"What do you s'pose he meant by saying this was the second time a
Bobbsey had been mixed up in his family affairs?" asked Charley Mason
of Bert.

"I haven't the least idea. I never knew Mr. Carford before this. I'll
ask my father."

"Is that bill real?" asked one boy, referring to the money.

"It sure is," answered Bert, looking at it. "Come on to the drugstore
and well spend it. That's what it's for."

"Going to treat Danny Rugg, and his crowd, too?" asked Frank Miller.

"Well, I guess Mr. Carford wanted this money to be spent on everyone
on the hill, so it includes Danny," answered Bert slowly.

But Danny and his particular friends held back from Bert, and did not
share in the treat. Probably Danny did not want to come to too close
quarters with Bert after the attempt made to get Freddie's sled.