Charles Ingalls left on his long journey without his gun, despite the pack of 15 wolves that had already chased him previously.
When Charles returns to the house after inspecting the hail damage to his wheat crop, he is cold and wet. He says the hot coffee will taste good. He reaches into the fireplace to get the metal coffee pot. He grabs the metal handle bare handed. It should have been too hot to pick up without a pot holder which is how Caroline usually does it.