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 Ruth , proudly . `` I can make good toast and tea , '' added Alice . `` I ca n't cook anything , '' confessed Gwen , who was unusually accomplished in French , German , and music . `` Girls are n't worth much in the hour of need . Take hold , Tony , you are the chap for me . '' And Mark disrespectfully turned his back on the young ladies , who could only sit and watch the lads work . `` He ca n't do it without water , '' whispered Ruth . `` Or salt , '' answered Alice . `` Or a pan to bake it in , '' added Gwen ; and then all smiled at the dilemma they foresaw . But Tony was equal to the occasion , and calmly went on with his task , while Mark arranged the fire and Bob opened the pickles . First the new cook filled the pail with snow till enough was melted to wet the meal ; this mixture was stirred with a pine stick till thick enough , then spread on the board and set up before the bed of coals to brown .
`` It never will XXXXX in the world . ''
amused answered arranged bake came cried fell set watch whispered