The guardian returned, after having been absent half an hour. She came running down the byway, shouting before she appeared in sight of the party to know if all were well.
"Oh, Harriet, I'm so glad to see you looking better! I have a boy and a democrat wagon to take us to the real cove. This isn't the place at all. Lonesome Cove is nearly five miles from here. But look! I've something that will please you!" exclaimed the guardian.
"What ith it?" demanded Tommy, edging near.
"Coffee!" exclaimed Miss Elting triumphantly.
"But how are we going to cook it?" cried Jane.
"Get the coffee pot. It is in one of the packs that we saved. We have neither milk nor sugar, but we shan't care about that. I met a boy, as I have told you. He had been to mill with a grist, and was also taking some groceries home with him. I secured the coffee by paying double price for it, but consider it cheap at that. Hazel, you and Margery will gather some dry wood and make a fire." Jane already had gone to look for the coffee pot. She found it, after opening one of the wet packs.
"The fire is laid," announced Hazel, "but we haven't any matches. What shall we do?"
"Mith Elting hath thome matcheth," answered Tommy.
"How do you know, my dear?" The guardian laughed merrily.
"I thee a box in your pocket."