asked Ruth , who dared not eat nuts for fear of indigestion . `` Not a thing that I know of except a few pickles in the storeroom ; we had so many , mamma left some here , '' answered Gwen , resolving to provision the house before she left it another autumn . `` Pickles alone are rather sour feed . If we only had a biscuit now , they would n't be bad for a relish , '' said Tony , with the air of a man who had known what it was to live on burnt bean-soup and rye flapjacks for a week . `` I saw a keg of soft-soap in the shed . How would that go with the pickles ? '' suggested Bob , who felt equal to the biggest and acidest cucumber ever grown . `` Mamma knew an old lady who actually did eat soft-soap and cream for her complexion , '' put in Alice , whose own fresh face looked as if she had tried the same distasteful remedy with success . The boys laughed , and Mark , who felt that hospitality required him to do something for his guests , said briskly , -- `` Let us go on a foraging expedition while the lamp holds out to burn , for the old lantern is almost gone and then we are done for . Come on , Bob ; your sharp nose will smell out food if there is any . '' `` Do n't set the house afire , and bring more wood when you come , for we must have light of some kind in this poky place , '' called Gwen , with a sigh , wishing every one of them were safely at home and abed . A great tramping of boots , slamming of doors , and shouting of voices followed the departure of the boys , as well as a crash , a howl , and then a roar of laughter , as Bob fell down the cellar stairs , having opened the door in search of food and poked his nose in too far . Presently they came back , very dusty , cobwebby , and cold , but triumphantly bearing a droll collection of trophies . Mark had a piece of board and the lantern , Tony a big wooden box and a tin pail , Bob fondly embraced a pickle jar and a tumbler of jelly which had been forgotten on a high shelf in the storeroom . `` Meal , pickles , jam , and boards . What a mess , and what are we to do with it all ? '' cried the girls , much amused at the result of the expedition . `` Can any of you make a hoe cake ? '' demanded Mark . `` No , indeed !
I can make caramels and cocoanut-cakes , '' said XXXXX , proudly .
Bob Gwen Mark Ruth burn crash cucumber left soft-soap week