Blowing, howling and jumping about, the fat boy frantically ejected the flaming match head from his mouth.
“Wather, wather!” yelled Stacy thickly. “I’m on fire!”
“Of all the driveling idiots,” groaned Tom, trying hard not to laugh.
“I think we are all agreed on that subject,” nodded Elfreda.
“Did it burn oo’s precious little mouth?” begged Emma solicitously.
“Did it bu—bu—urn me? Oh, no. I just wanted to take the chill off the inside of my mouth, that’s all. Didn’t you ever try it?” retorted Stacy.
“I hope I am not so silly as to try anything like that,” returned Emma.
“One never knows until one tries,” muttered Stacy. “Greatest thing in the world to make you forget that you’re cold. Swallow a whole handful and I’ll promise that you won’t feel cold in the highest altitude. Some one give me a drink of water—cold water.”
The Overlanders were laughing heartily now. Badger was replenishing the fire and Stacy, sipping at a cup of water, was caressing his mouth and feeling altogether out of sorts.
“We know how to build fires where there aren’t any, don’t we?” laughed Tom, slapping the fat boy between the shoulders.