“I refuse to save,” she retorted, chin in air. “Poor we may be, sir; but never shall it be said that we stinted ourselves in the matter of rich and nourishing sustenance. Pray, sir, draw up before it gets too dark to distinguish the varied viands.”
“This is prodigal conduct,” I protested, as she divided the food equally and passed my share to me. “What of tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow you will get more birds, and if you do not, you will get something else. And if you don’t get that—Sir! I refuse to worry about anything so sordid as food. Now if it were a matter pertaining to higher things—Oh! Aren’t these sardines delicious!”
And when the scanty meal was finished she leaned back with a mock air of repletion and said—
“Now, let come what may; I have dined.”
“Do you feel so brave?” I asked.
“Yes sir. As brave as beseems one who has dined sumptuously.”
“Joking aside, do you feel brave enough to spend an hour or two in this dark cave—alone?”
“Is it necessary?” she asked after making sure that I was not joking. “What are you going to do?”
“We must try to learn what’s been going on today. As soon as it is thoroughly dark I propose to sneak back to the cabins. If I have good luck I may be able to get a word with Dr. Olson, or George. Then we’ll know if it’s necessary or advisable for us to remain hidden underground.”