CHAPTER XV
A Voyage of Discovery
Aunt Mercy and Faith were surprised to see them, surprised and pleased, too. And when, after they had drank all the water they wanted—which, by the way, took some time—she heard their account of the recent adventure. Aunt Mercy had quite a few remarks to make regarding foolhardiness. The boys listened very meekly, for, although the scolding was addressed to Jack, the others understood quite well that they were included in the audience, and waited for the squall to blow over.
“Hmph!” said Aunt Mercy finally. “Hmph! Now I suppose you’re ’most starved to death, ain’t you?”
“A—little hungry,” replied Hal. “But it doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it matters!” snapped Aunt Mercy. “Gracious goodness, how the boy talks! No victuals since yesterday noon—”
“We had a fish and a third apiece this morning,” ventured Bee.