“If you had some of his public spirit we’d all be better off,” said Cora.
“Oh, don’t um be mad at um’s ‘ittle bruver!” mocked Jack.
“Oh, quit it!” begged his sister.
“Where can you get anything to eat around here?” asked Paul.
“I don’t know, but I can forage for it. The presence of that fisherman clearly proves that this is an inhabited land, and where there are inhabitants there must be food. I may find a country store, or, if I can’t find that, I’ll find a house, describe our plight in such moving words as I am able to command, and buy what they’ll sell.”
“I’d like a cup of tea,” murmured Belle. “My nerves——”
“Are nothing to what they’ll be when the ghosts of Camp Surprise begin to make the stairs stand on their head,” broke in Jack.
“We have tea,” Cora said. “I’ll put the kettle on at once. It seems a pity to have you go out in this storm, though, Walter.”
“I don’t mind a bit. I’m glad to do it.”
“He’ll say anything as long as there are ladies present,” declared Jack. “But wait until you’re gone. He’ll say you drove him to it.”