"What's this, my good man?" continued he, taking off the lid of the
pot.
"My dinner for a week," replied Jacob. "I have no one to cook for me
now, and can't light a fire every day."
"Well, you appear to live well, if you have such a mess as that every
day in the week. I should like to try a spoonful or two."
"And welcome, sir," replied Jacob; "I will cook some more for myself."
The troopers took him at his word; they sat down to the table, and
very soon the whole contents of the kettle had disappeared. Having
satisfied themselves, they got up, told him that his rations were so
good that they hoped to call again; and, laughing heartily, they
mounted their horses, and rode away.
"Well," said Jacob, "they are very welcome to the dinner; I little
thought to get off so cheap." As soon as they were out of sight, Jacob
called to Edward and the children to get up again, which they soon
did. Alice put on Edith's frock, Humphrey put on his jacket, and
Edward pulled off the hunting-shirt.
"They're gone now," said Jacob, coming in from the door.
"And our dinners are gone," said Humphrey, looking at the empty pot
and dirty platters.
"Yes; but we can cook another, and that will be more play you know,"
said Jacob. "Edward, go for the water; Humphrey, cut the onions;
Alice, wash the potatoes; and Edith, help every body, while I cut up
some more meat.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49