“Coal on the fire!” Barry exclaimed. “Where did that come from?”
“There is a coal shed back of the kitchen,” Tim explained. “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
“Does it!” Kent and Barry ejaculated in chorus. “You don’t know the half of it!”
“Been out in the woods in all this storm?” Mac asked.
Barry nodded. “Yes, we have been lost. Had to leave the sled and find our way. It was a great idea on the part of you fellows to put the lamp in the window.”
“Have you had any supper?” Tim asked.
“Yes, we had plenty. Built a fire and cooked some steak,” Kent told him. “But I’d surely appreciate a hot cup of coffee. How about you, Barry?”
“Yes, indeed,” his chum agreed. He began to take off his outer clothes, shaking snow into the fireplace. “We’ve all got stories to swap. What was that man doing besides thumping on the side of the house?”
While the coffee was preparing they sat close to the fire and talked. The twins told their story first, and the two who had been lost listened with close attention. Then, while they all drank hot coffee, Barry and Kent related the events of the day.
They had put the lamp out, and the fire glowed red. A feeling of comfort and security settled over them, in spite of the lurking presence of the one who was seeking to annoy them. Although they were tired they had too much to discuss to want to go to bed at the moment.