“Yes,” said Jonas, “turf is the best thing to cover the heap with. If they had ashes, it would be very troublesome to put it on, and then it would be sliding down, and letting the fire break out. But they cut square pieces of turf, and cover the heap all over with them, very tight, and so only just air enough gets in to keep the fire slowly burning.”
“Slow combustion?” said Rollo.
“Yes, slow combustion,” said Jonas.
“How do you set it on fire?” asked Rollo.
“I believe they leave a hole in the middle,” said Jonas, “from the top down to the bottom, and then they put the fire down there.”
“I wonder if I couldn’t make a charcoal bed,” said Rollo.
“Yes,” replied Jonas, “you might make a little one, I suppose.”
“How should I do it?” asked Rollo.
“Why, you might take some dry wood from the shed, and wheel it down the lane, and through the gate into the pasture. Then you might take a spade, and cut up some turf, though that would be rather hard work for you.”
“I wish you would cut the turf for me,” said Rollo.