"Can those hermits really tell when there's going to be a big storm with lots of snow?" asked Ted.
"Well, sometimes," admitted Mr. Martin. "Men who live in the woods or mountains all their lives know more about the weather than those of us who live in houses in towns or cities most of the time. Sometimes the hermits and woodsmen can tell by the way the squirrels and other animals act and store away food, whether or not it is going to be a hard winter. But don't worry about being snowed in. If we are we'll make the best of it."
A little later Ted and Jan, still thinking what would happen if a storm should come heavy enough to cover the house, started for their bedrooms. As Janet undressed and turned back the covers of her bed she gave a scream.
"What's the matter?" asked her mother from the hall.
"Maybe she saw a baby mouse!" laughed Ted.
"Oh, no. Mother! Daddy! Come quick!" cried Jan. "There's somebody in my bed!"
Mrs. Martin ran into her little girl's room, and there, on the white sheet, half covered, she saw a strange bedfellow.
CHAPTER VIII
THE LAME BOY
"Oh, what is it? What is it?" cried Jan, backing into the farthest corner of her room. "What's in my bed?"