"I won't let him touch ye."
Thus assured Nan opened the door and followed Bert outside. At a word from the farmer Tige stopped barking and began to wag his tail.
"That dog wouldn't hurt nobody, 'ceptin' he was attacked, or if a person tried to git in my house," said Farmer Sandborn. "He's a very nice fellow, he is, and likes boys and gals fustrate; don't ye, Tige?" And the dog wagged his tail harder than ever, as if he understood every word.
"I—I was so scared," said Nan.
"May I ask what you be a-doin' on the road all alone and in this snowstorm?"
"We are going home," answered Bert, and then explained how they had been ice-boating and what had happened on the lake.
"I do declare!" cried Farmer Sandborn. "So the boat up an' run away with ye, did she? Contrary critter, eh!" And he began to laugh. "Who be you?"
"I am Bert Bobbsey and this is my twin sister Nan."
"Oh, yes, I know now. You're one pair o'
