“I can’t keep it going without more wood,” Veve complained, “and you two stand here loafing.”
“We do not!” Jane retorted. “There was a good pile of wood there last night. I know because I gathered some the last thing before I went to bed.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter,” said Veve quickly. “Just get some more, while I start the bacon. We have to have breakfast ready by eight o’clock.”
Soon the bacon began to sizzle in the pan. Satisfied that it was frying well, Veve turned to help Eileen break eggs into a dish. They could not decide how many it would take to feed eight hungry persons.
As they debated the matter, Veve suddenly noticed smoke rising from the frying pan.
“The bacon is burning!” she screamed, turning to rescue it.
“It’s burned you mean—to a crisp,” mourned Eileen as she saw the shriveled, blackened strips of meat. “Now what’ll we do?”
“Why bother with bacon?” Veve asked. “With eggs and oatmeal we’ll have enough. Here comes Jane with the wood now.”
The girls built up the fire, but for some reason it refused to burn down to coals. Instead, it caused more smoke than flame.
“Oh, bother!” Jane exclaimed impatiently. “Who wants to wait all day? I’m putting the oatmeal on now.”