"We'll join each other in looking after him," went on Mr. Whipple. "You must let me pay half." And to this the children's father agreed. He said he would write back at once to his office, and tell some one there to look after the old woodchopper.
"Is there any other news from Lakeport?" Mrs. Bobbsey asked her husband at the restaurant dinner table, while the children were busy talking among themselves.
"No, not much. Everything is all right, I believe, I have some news for you, though, Bert," he went on, as his older son glanced across the table.
"What is it?" Bert questioned. "Did Tommy Todd go through the ice in the Bird?"
"No, but it has to do with the ice-boat. He went in a race in her on Lake Metoka, and, what is better, he won."
"Hurray for Tommy Todd!" cried Bert, so loudly that persons at other tables in the store dining room looked over and smiled, at which Bert's ears became very red.
"Did you hear anything of my friends?" asked Nan.
