CHAPTER IX

MR. BOBBSEY'S STORY


"Snow Lodge! Oh, Papa, could we go there?" cried Flossie, now wide
awake.

"What fun we could have!" exclaimed Freddie, whose eyes were now as
wide open as ever they had been.

Bert and Nan said little, but there was a look of pleased anticipation
on their faces. They, too, realized what fun they could have in a big,
old-fashioned farmhouse in winter, particularly when the building was
refitted with a furnace, and had big fireplaces in it.

And Bert was wondering, more than ever, what strange reason Mr.
Carford could have for not wanting to go back to lovely Snow Lodge.

"Say we can go, Daddy!" pleaded the two smaller twins, as they tried
to get into their father's lap.

"Well," said Mr. Bobbsey slowly, "this is certainly very kind of, you,
Mr. Carford, but I am not sure I can accept it. I am very much obliged
to you, however--"

"Accept! Of course you can accept!" exclaimed the aged man. "There's
no reason why you and your family shouldn't have a holiday vacation at
Snow Lodge. The place has been closed up a long time, but a day or so,
with a good fire in it, would make it as warm as toast. I know, for