“No buried treasure, either,” Kitty murmured in disappointment. “Still, the stalactites are interesting. Imagine living this close and not knowing anything about them.” It was cold inside the cave and, being without wraps, the girls began to shiver. “Let’s go,” Doris proposed. Once outside the warm sunshine seemed more welcome than before. During the excursion into the cave, Dave had appeared less interested than the others, and now, observing the smile on his face, Doris’s suspicions were aroused. “Dave Chamberlin!” she accused. “You knew about that cave all the time!” “Well, maybe I had heard about it,” he grinned, “but I didn’t want to spoil the fun.” “We were all so excited and silly,” Doris laughed. “There’s a path leading right up here! And we didn’t think a thing about it. Of course other folks know about the cave.” “Oh, well, it was fun anyway,” Marshmallow said. “So much exertion made me hungry, though. When do we eat?” “You would ask _that_,” Doris bantered. “I’m willing if the rest of you are.” The climb back up the steep hill was not easy, and by the time Doris and Kitty reached the top they were nearly out of breath. While they were resting under a shade tree, Dave and Marshmallow brought water from the spring and started a fire. “What are we cooking?” Doris asked with interest. “Steak,” Marshmallow told her, smacking his lips. “And boy, do I know how to cook it!” “Your mother must have been giving you lessons,” Doris smiled. “Say, don’t you think I ever went camping? I can cook a lot of things.” He opened a hamper and began to lift out various covered dishes. “Just look at all this stuff Ma sent.” While the steak was sizzling over the red hot fire, the girls spread the table cloth and unwrapped the various packages. They were appalled at the outlay of food. “Enough for an army!” Doris groaned. Always an excellent cook, Mrs. Mallow had quite outdone herself on this occasion. Salads crisp and inviting in nests of lettuce, pie, gigantic cream puffs with Marshmallow’s favorite chocolate filling, baked beans, deviled eggs and lemonade were but a suggestion of all the good things with which the cloth was loaded. “We’ll never be able to eat all of this,” Doris declared in dismay. “Sure we will,” Marshmallow grinned. “Just give me a chance.” The others were forced to admit that he did do remarkably well, for long after they had finished eating he continued to blissfully gorge sandwiches, cake and cream puffs with an apparently unappeased appetite. At last, however, the plump lad was forced to acknowledge his Waterloo. “I’m afraid I can’t finish it,” he said regretfully. “What a shame to lug so much back with us.” “Maybe you’ll feel up to it after you’ve rested a bit,” Dave suggested. “That’s an idea!” With a contented groan he stretched himself out under a shade tree and closed his eyes. Dave helped the girls clean up the picnic things.