gathering coal

plural gathering coals

1. historicalcoal left lit and smothered in embers overnight, around which kindling wood is gathered the morning after.

   The wind sighs over the upland, just like a parting soul; Get to bed with you all — I'll stay, and keep my watch by the gathering coal.

   1876, Susan K. Phillips, “The Seven-Nights' Watch”, in Littell's Living Age

   1 more example

   it is by no means uncommon for a young spinster to admit her enamoured swain after the family have retired for the night, and give him an opportunity of furthering his tender suit before the kitchen fire, which is never allowed to go out, but is packed with the gathering coal, and well happed on the top with damp peat.

   1863-1864, John Wykeham Archer, “A border wooing”, in Once a Week