r had found it, and he tripped and fell
down in the snow, so the older boys had to pick him up. Then the small
twin gave up the use of snowshoes.

"I like riding down hill better," he said.

Winter had now set in, with all its cold and snow, around Lakeport, and
there were many days of fine coasting. Flossie and Freddie stayed on the
hill Bert had made for them in the yard, but Nan and Bert, with their
friends, went to the big hill, and used the bob-sled.

Then came a thaw and the coasting was spoiled. There were puddles of
water all about, and one day coming home from school Freddie slipped
and fell right into a puddle which was rather muddy.

"Oh, Freddie!" cried Flossie, who was walking with him. "Your clothes
are all spoiled!"

"Well, I--I couldn't help it," Freddie said, looking down at the
dripping mud and water. "I didn't see the slippery place."

"You must hurry home as soon as you can, and change into dry things,
Freddie," said Nan, who was on the other side of the street with Ellen
Moore and Nellie Parks. Nan had seen her little brother fall. "Run," Nan
went on, "I'll hold your hand so you won't fall again."

Freddie gave his books to Flossie to carry, and he hurried on with Nan,
running so he would be warmer and not take cold, for though the snow was
melting it was still Winter.

As Nan and Freddie reached the house, they heard several persons talking
in the parlor.

"Oh, there's company!" cried Nan. "They mustn't see you, Freddie,
looking like this. I'll take you up the back stairs and change your
clothes myself, or get Dinah to. Come on."

But just as Nan and Freddie were about to slip past the parlor door
Mrs. Bobbsey came out to see who had come in, and with her came a boy
about Bert's age. At the sight of him Freddie cried:

"Why, it isn't company. It's cousin Harry!"

"Oh, Freddie! What happened to you?" his mother asked.

"I--I fell down in a puddle," said the little boy. "But I couldn't help
it, Mother. Oh, Harry, I'm glad you've come!" Freddie went on. "We can
slide down hill---- Oh, no, we can't either," he said quickly. "All the
snow is melted. But Bert made a hill in our back yard and when it snows
again we'll have lots of fun on it. Did Uncle Daniel and Aunt Sarah
come?"

"Yes, we're here," said Aunt Sarah herself, coming to the door. "Oh, but
mercy, child! What happened?"

"Fell in a mud puddle," answered Freddie. "Where's Uncle Dan?"

"In there, talking to daddy," replied Mr