The others laughed but got up from the grass and followed Zan.
"Here's the tins, and there's the baking-powder! Maybe it isn't good—it's been here all winter!" said Zan.
Miss Miller examined the can. "It's the best powder made, and if the pantry is dry all winter and spring, there will be no loss of properties in the powder. It pays to use the best products we can get; by that I do not mean the most expensive, for often one pays more for advertised products that are really inferior than for one which is pure but not so costly in marketing the brand."
"Well, you brought eggs, milk, and butter—what else do we need for the cake?" said Nita.
"Flour—I know there is some here, for I left it the first morning we ate here," replied Miss Miller, going to the cupboard.
"And the jelly—Zan can get that," continued the Guide.
Nita was ordered to measure out a cupful of sugar, Elena to grease the jelly tins very thoroughly and spread a small piece of oiled paper on the bottom of each pan. Hilda was started beating two eggs, and Jane rubbing a lump of butter well into the sugar. Nita, having finished her measuring, was called upon to assist the Guide in building a fire in the stove.
Miss Miller reached the conclusion that by having Nita help her more she would keep her in closer personal association with her and this perhaps might benefit the girl.
"First you crumple some paper up loosely and place it in the fire-pit," said Miss Miller, showing Nita how to go about it. "Next, lay some fine kindlings this way and that—if you threw them upon the paper any way they may burn and again they may not; if you build them up so there is a liberal air-space for the smoke and fire to rise toward the chimney, the wood will always take fire readily. Now, the kindlings just right, you can lay a few heavy pieces of split wood on top. That's right, so now we'll light the paper from underneath! Never from the open lid on top."