"Down, Laddie, down." Laddie, a large-limbed collie, with long shaggy coat still wet and matted and glistening with the hard unmelted snow, had walked to the door and put his nose to the bottom of it.
"Some one coming," said Ralph, turning to look at the dog, and speaking almost under his breath.
Robbie Anderson, who had throughout been lounging in silence on the bench near the door, got up sleepily, and put his great hand on the wooden latch.

The door flew open by the force of the storm outside.

He peered for a moment into the darkness through the blinding sleet.

He could see nothing.
"No one here!" he said moodily.
And, putting his broad shoulder to the stout oak door, he forced it back.

The wind moaned and hissed through the closing aperture.