"I hope they have returned," muttered Tom, as they made their way
toward the rear of Snow Camp.

The snow came faster and faster, and thicker and thicker. Bob bumped
square into the side of one of the out-sheds, and roared because he
found blood flowing from his nose.

"What do you say about this?" he bellowed. "How do we know we're
going right?"

"Here!" cried Isadore. "Where are you fellows? I don't want to get
lost in the back yard."

Tom found him (he had already seized the half-blinded Bob by the
arm) and the three, arm in arm, made their way cautiously to the
kitchen porch. They burst in on Janey and Mary with a whoop.

"Have the girls got back?" cried Tom, eagerly.

"I couldn't tell ye, Master Tom," said Mary. "But if they haven't
come in, by the looks of you boys, they'd better."

Tom did not stop to remove the snow, but rushed into the great
central hall which was used as a general sitting room.

"Where's Helen--and Ruth--and the rest of them?" he demanded.

"Why, Thomas! you're all over snow," said Mr. Cameron, comfortably
reading his paper before the fire, in smoking jacket and slippers.