“Matters at the house became troublesome, for the larder was empty, and there was no way to get at the great store-rooms dug out of the ground without letting the Yankees into the secret.
“Tim had been very meek since he found the serious blunder he had made with Vernon, and he was eager to make amends in any way.
“From the time that Tim heard of the threatened famine he was seldom seen about the place. Now and then, one of the family would meet him coming from the basement with his face and hands smeared with black, but he never confided in anyone as to his work or whereabouts, and being an aged favored man, Mr. Crudup never questioned him.
“One morning the cook entered the room where the family was gathered and announced: ‘There ain’t no aigs fer brekfus.’
“‘Have plain ham or bacon,’ suggested Mrs. Crudup.
“‘De ham an’ bacon done all et up, too,’ said cook.
“Mrs. Crudup looked deeply concerned, but said: ‘Then we’ll have just coffee and muffins.’
“‘Done used all de flour yistiddy—not a smitch lef’.’
“Here, indeed, was a quandary! Nothing to eat!
“This was Tim’s opportunity.