“What time will it be ready?”
“About seven o’clock. What’s the matter, hungry?”
“More cold than hungry,” replied Phil, his teeth chattering.
“Got to get used to that. Come here. I’ve got something that will doctor you up in no time,” announced the man in a cheerful voice, so different from the answers the lads had received to their questions that morning, that they were suddenly imbued with new courage.
“What is it?” asked Phil.
“Coffee, my lad. We always make coffee the first thing when we get in, these chilly mornings. The men work much better after getting something warm inside them. Got a cup?”
They had not.
“Wait, I’ll get you one,” said the accommodating showman.
Never had anything tasted so good as did the coffee that morning. It was excellent coffee, too, and the boys drank two cups apiece.
“We mustn’t drink any more,” warned Phil.