"And such beautiful children, too. Are you two lost?"
The old woman was slightly stooped and leaned on a walking stick as she looked them over.
I thought someone lived in this cave when we passed it earlier, Richie thought.
After all, it was neatly swept, and there was even a stack of firewood.
The old woman moved slowly. After looking the two children over, she took her flashlight and headed toward the firewood.
She first felt around beside the firewood until she found a bottle, which she picked up.
In weather this damp, I wonder if rubbing sticks together would work, Richie thought.
After picking up the bottle, the old woman began feeling around again, apparently looking for something else.
Seeing how difficult it was for her to find things, Richie wanted to help, but Si Ang caught him and shook his head.
Richie understood what Si Ang meant. He wanted them to watch a little longer and see whether the old woman was a good person.
Or whether there was some other reason she had appeared so unexpectedly in this cave.
Si Ang was very wary.
Richie was watching the old woman's every move, too.
The old woman seemed to have found what she needed. Carrying a bundle of dry firewood, she used her flashlight to look for a suitable place to build a fire.
After carrying over one bundle, she decided it was not enough and went back for more.
Richie could not stand by any longer. Seeing how awkwardly the stooped old woman moved, he stepped forward to help.
"Let me help you, Granny."
This time, Si Ang did not stop him. He let Richie run lightly over, deftly gather a bundle of firewood, and set it down.
The old woman's kindly voice sounded beside Richie's