Of course the kitchen and larder were properly equipped with all necessary utensils. Directly a good wood fire was crackling in the stove, the pot was set upon its tripod. Water was drawn from an off-shoot from the Eastern River, which supplied the reservoir belonging to the farm. And it was with special pleasure that Fritz and Frank were able to offer their guests glasses of palm wine drawn from the barrels in the cellar.
“Ah-ha!” cried the boatswain. “We’ve been teetotallers a very long time.”
“Well, we will pledge you now, good old Block!” Fritz exclaimed.
“As much as you like,” the boatswain answered. “Nothing could be more pleasant than drinking one another’s health in this excellent wine.”
“Let us drink then,” said Frank, “to the happiness of seeing our parents and our friends again at Falconhurst or Rock Castle!” And, clinking glasses, they gave three cheers for the Zermatts and the Wolstons.
“Seriously,” John Block remarked, “there are plenty of inns in England and elsewhere which aren’t nearly so good as this hermitage of Eberfurt.”
“Moreover, Block,” Fritz answered, “here the entertainment is free!”
When supper was finished all sought the repose of which they had such need after their long day’s march.
Every one of them slept until the sun rose next morning.