"Boston baked beans," explained Bettie.
"Now, that," said Mr. Black, "is a real treat. There's nothing better than beans for camp fare."
But when the beans were served they rattled, as they touched the plates, like rain on a tin roof. Instead of being smooth and nicely filled out, each bean was shriveled and as hard as a pebble.
"Dear me," mourned Bettie, who had taken the first mouthful, "those are dreadful beans—I can't bite them."
"But," said puzzled Jean, "they cooked for hours."
"Did you soak them first?" asked Mrs. Crane.
"No," replied Jean.
"Didn't you boil them?"
"No, we didn't do that, either. Just baked 'em."