chocolate.

"Though Freddie has almost as much outside his mouth as inside it,"
said Nan, with a laugh.

Then the merry party of boys and girls trooped homeward, Bert and Nan
thinking on the way of the strange words of Mr. Carford and wondering
what he meant by them.

Several of the older boys, who knew the old gentleman, told something
of him. He was a strange character, living in a fine old homestead. He
was said to be queer on certain matters, but kind and good, and quite
charitable, especially at Christmas time, to the poor of that country
neighborhood.

"We'll ask papa about him when we get home," said Bert. "Maybe he can
explain it."

But when the Bobbsey twins reached their house they found that their
father had suddenly been called away on a business trip to last for
some days, and so they did not see him.

"I haven't the least idea what Mr. Carford meant," said Mrs. Bobbsey,
when they had asked her. "I did not even know that your father knew
him. I am sorry you children were in danger on the hill."

"Oh, it wasn't much, mother," said Bert quickly, for he feared if his
parent grew too worried she might put a stop to the winter fun.

Supper was soon ready and then came a happy period before bedtime--