They made camp then, setting out their tents and building fires in well-tended fire-pits; beside each was a good supply of wood and kindling. Lamps were lighted, and the weary travellers ate a hot meal, talking quietly in subdued voices. Ralph tried to wake Malina, to get her to eat something, but she was so deep in slumber that he feared waking the others. On a sudden unbidden impulse, he looked to the other end of the wagon, to where Nevana slept; but there was nothing to be seen except a tangle of bodies laying beneath various blankets and quilts, and the quiet susurrus of somnolent breathing. He left, reluctantly, taking his bedding, found a place by the nearest fire, threw himself upon the ground, and fell asleep asking himself uncomfortable questions for which there were no satisfyingly straightforward answers.
He awoke to the smell of wood-smoke and cooking and the laughter of children. The fire-pits had been allowed to burn themselves out with the coming of dawn, but to one end of the field there was an enormous open grill, surrounded by benches, and covered overall by a cedar-shingled roof supported by thick wooden posts. The grill smoked little, but heat-waves could be seen just over its surface. The smell of cooking made Ralph’s mouth water.