As yet none of the lumbermen had arrived, for the camp was not to open for a few days. It was needful to start the store first so the men would have something to eat when they should arrive.
Piled about the building that was marked with the store sign were many boxes and barrels. The Curlytops had seen such packages before at their father’s store in Cresco, and they knew what the boxes and barrels held—sugar, canned goods, dried fruits, tea, coffee, oatmeal, overalls, hats and all the things that go to make up a general store. All these goods must be taken out of their packages and arranged on the shelves.
“Couldn’t we help in the store, Daddy?” asked Ted, as his father started toward the bungalow, to open it with a key he had.
“Oh, yes, I guess so,” was the answer. “I expect a couple of men up to do the heavy work. They ought to be here now.”
The bungalow was opened and the Curlytop family went inside. The more they saw of the place the better they liked it. There was a large living-room with a great fireplace, a dining-room and a kitchen on the first floor, and upstairs were bedrooms.
“And there are dishes in the pantry, too!” announced Janet, as she came back from having looked around.
“Is there anything to put on the dishes?” asked Ted, laughing. “I mean anything to eat?”
“That’s what I want to know, too,” laughed Mr. Martin.
“I’ll soon have something ready,” promised Mrs. Martin. “Come, Lucy, we must feed these hungry animals.”
“I am bear—that’s what I is!” cried Trouble, and he pretended to growl like a bear to show how hungry he was.