go," and he shook his head sadly. "I just couldn't go."

The Bobbsey children did not know what to think. Mr. Carford seemed
very sad. Suddenly he turned away from the fire that blazed on the
hearth, and asked:

"Did I ever tell you about Snow Lodge?"

"No," said Bert, softly.

"Then I will," went on the aged man. "I don't tell many, but I will
you. And maybe you could make some use of the place now that the
holidays are here. I used to spend all my Christmas holidays there,
but I don't any more. Never any more. But I'll tell you about it," and
he settled himself more comfortably in the big chair.




CHAPTER VII

THE STORY OF SNOW LODGE


"When I was a boy," began Mr. Carford after a pause, during which he
looked into the blazing fire, "I lived on a farm, and I had to work
very hard."

"We were on a farm once, weren't we, Flossie?" interrupted Freddie.