Her father seized the coffee canister and approached the stove.

"I don't suppose you know how much she puts in.
I don't suppose you know anything," said he.
"I guess she puts in about a cupful," said Maria, trembling.
"A cupful! with coffee at the price it is now?
I guess she doesn't," said her father.

He poured the coffee-pot full of boiling water from the tea-kettle, then he tipped the coffee canister into his hand, and put one small pinch into the pot.
"Oh, father," ventured Maria.

"I don't believe--" "You don't believe what ?" "I don't believe that is enough." "Of course it's enough.

Don't you suppose your father knows how to make coffee ?" Her father set the coffee-pot on the stove, where it immediately began to boil.