“But it takes a great deal longer to make a good fire with a tinder-box, than when we have a good bed of coals.”
“Then take a friction match,” said Rollo. “I can light a friction match in half a minute.”
“You can light the match, but not build a fire. It takes a long time with a match light to get heat enough to set large sticks of wood on fire; but, with a bed of burning coals, we can do it very soon.”
“You might have some sticks and shavings for kindling,” said Rollo, “and they will burn quick.”
“Yes,” said Jonas, “but it is more trouble to prepare sticks and shavings every night, than it is to cover up a stick of wood.”
While Jonas had been saying these things, he had taken more ashes from the ash-hole, and had covered the stick over entirely. He then put away the shovel, and was brushing up the hearth, when Rollo, after standing a moment, as if in thought, said,—
“Jonas, what do you mean by combustion?”
“Did I say combustion?” rejoined Jonas.
“Yes, you said you wanted slow combustion.”
“Well, I meant burning. I want the wood to burn slowly all night.”