"The original 'Old Maid' had a convenience that didn't usually go with open fireplaces," said Gladys, "and that is running water," and she held her cup under a tiny stream that trickled out between two rocks, cold as ice and clear as crystal.
"Wouldn't this be a grand place for a Ceremonial Meeting?" said Migwan, as they all stood round the blazing fire roasting "wieners" and bacon. The Kitchen had a floor of smooth slabs of rock, and the arch of the fireplace formed a roof over their heads, while its wide opening afforded them a wonderful view of the gorge.
"Whenever you want to come here again, just say so," said Mrs. Evans, "and I'll bring you down in the machine." Mrs. Evans was enjoying herself as much as any of the girls. It was the first time she had ever cooked wieners and bacon over an open fire on green sticks, and she was perfectly delighted with the experience. "If my husband could only see me now," she said, laughing like a girl as she dropped her last wiener in the dirt and calmly washed it off in the trickling stream. "How good this hot cocoa tastes!" she exclaimed, drinking down a whole cupful without stopping. "What kind is it?"
"Camp Fire Girl Cocoa," answered the girls.
"What kind is that?" asked Mrs. Evans.
"It is a brand that is put up by a New York firm for the Camp Fire Girls to sell," answered Nyoda.
"Why have we never had any of this at our house?" asked Mrs. Evans, turning to Gladys.
"You have always insisted that you would use no other kind than Van Horn's," replied Gladys, "so I thought there would be no use in mentioning it."
"I like this better than Van Horn's," said her mother. "Is there any to be had now?"
"There certainly is," answered Nyoda. "We are trying to dispose of a hundred-can lot to pay our annual dues."