Because Chris Ainsworth had been in Bay City for several months already, the yard of the uninhabited house was overgrown with weeds, and the house was covered with a thin layer of dust from months of disuse.
When neighbor Auntie Bailey saw their return, she immediately came over warmly and, seeing Anna Ainsworth and Chris, said, "Oh, why didn't you call ahead to tell me you two were coming back? Your house definitely doesn't have any ingredients. You should have a meal at my place tonight, and tomorrow I'll ask uncle to help buy some rice, flour, and stuff in town."
Anna and Chris didn't refuse. It was already dark, and it was naturally too late to buy ingredients, especially since the ingredients Chris had left when he was injured had already been given to Auntie Bailey.
