Back of the stove was a pile of dry wood, and in another five minutes the roar of flames in the chimney mingled with a fresh bluster of the wind outside.
Defying the exhaustion of limbs and body, Jolly Roger kept steadily at work.

He threw off his heavier garments as the freezing atmosphere of the room became warmer, and prepared for a feast.
"We'll call it Christmas, and have everything we've got, Pied-Bot.
We'll cook a quart of prunes instead of six.

No use stinting ourselves--tonight!" Even Peter was amazed at the prodigality of his master.

An hour later they ate, and McKay drank a quart of hot coffee before he was done.

Half of his fatigue was gone and he sat back for a few minutes to finish off with the luxury of his pipe.