"Very well, we'll cook what we need for the meal, Werner," said Gif briefly, "and the rest you can take with you."
Gif and Spouter made a small rice pudding, and also stewed some of the apricots. All told, the New Year's dinner proved to be quite a bountiful affair, and after all of the lads had eaten their fill, it must be confessed that everybody felt in better humor. The plum pudding especially came in for a large share of their attention, as well as did the nuts and the small amount of raisins which followed.
"I think we'll go and take a nap," announced Werner presently. "I didn't get very much sleep last night."
"And I'll do the same," added Glutts.
"What about washing those dishes?" remarked Fred, with a significant look at the two bullies.
"That's right, Glutts and Werner!" cried Jack. "You ought to be willing to do your share of the dish-washing."
"Me wash dishes!" roared Bill Glutts. "I never did anything like that in my life!"
"You washed your own dishes at the encampment," answered Spouter sharply.
"Oh, well, that was different."
"Oh, don't gas," grumbled Werner. "We'll wash our own dishes, anyway," and he went to work without another word, although with very bad grace, and presently Glutts followed him.