eight knew what his thoughts must be.

"We oughtn't to have said that you couldn't have any of our lunch,"
said Sarah Ketchum.

"We didn't really mean it," said Clara. "When lunch-time came we would
have given you lots of good things."

"That's so," said Dick. "Sarah told us an hour ago that she meant to
give you her snow-ball cake because she felt compuncted."

By this time Bob had approached the cow. He spoke some kind words
close to her broad ear, and gently stroked her back and flanks. Then
he set to work in the proper way, forcing the milk in streams into the
cup, the boys watching with admiration Bob's ease and expertness, Dick
wondering why he couldn't do what seemed so easy. In a few seconds the
cup was filled.

"Now, what're you going to do?" said Bob. "This wont be a taste
around."

"You might milk into our hats," said Julius.

"I've got a thimble in my pocket," said Sarah Ketchum.

"Do stop your nonsense," said Constance; "it's a very serious
question--a life and death matter. We're a company of Crusoes."

But the boys couldn't stop their nonsense immediately. Dick remarked
that if the cow had not licked out the jelly-bowl and then kicked it