"Oh, we didn't mind it much," spoke Harry. "We had a good lunch. We saw the light and thought it was some farmhouse. We didn't think it was Snow Lodge. But we're glad it is," he added with a laugh.
"We got here some time ago," said Mr. Bobbsey. "The farmer had the fires all going finely, and it was as warm as toast. We began getting things to rights, but when it got dark, and snowed, and you children weren't here, we all got worried."
"And we were going to look for you," added Mrs. Bobbsey. "Oh, I was so worried I didn't know what to do!"
The evening was spent in playing a few games, and in talking and telling stories. Everyone was too tired to stay up long, after the day's trip, and so "early to bed" was the rule, for the first night at least.
As Bert went up to his room with his cousin Harry he looked out of the window. It was too dark to see much, but the boy could get a glimpse of the snow blowing against the panes with great force.
"Poor Henry Burdock!" thought Bert. "If it wasn't for that missing money he and his uncle might be living here at Snow Lodge. I wonder where Henry is now? Maybe off somewhere in the woods, lost—as we nearly were!"
The thought made him feel sad. Surely it was a terrible night to be out in the forest, amid the storm and darkness.
"I wish I could help him," thought Bert, but he did not see how he could. Mr. Carford was a stern old man, and he believed his nephew had taken the money that was missing.
The storm raged all night, and part of the next day. Then it cleared off, leaving a great coating of white in the woods, and over the fields.
"No skating or ice-boating now," said Bert, "and not for some days.
We'll have to wait for a thaw and another freeze."