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+Project Gutenberg's The Mary Frances Cook Book, by Jane Earye Fryer
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Mary Frances Cook Book
+       Adventures Among the Kitchen People
+
+Author: Jane Earye Fryer
+
+Illustrator: Margaret G. Hays
+             Jane Allen Boyer
+
+Release Date: December 4, 2011 [EBook #38215]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jason Isbell, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Bold text is surrounded by =equal signs= and italic
+text is surrouned by _underscores_.]
+
+[Illustration: Cover]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Dedication:
+
+A book for all girls who love to help Mother.
+
+                                Jane Eayre Fryer]
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster carefully
+over.]
+
+
+[Illustration: Title]
+
+
+THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK
+
+OR ADVENTURES AMONG THE KITCHEN PEOPLE
+
+By JANE EAYRE FRYER
+
+    Full page illustrations by
+    MARGARET G. HAYS
+    Other illustrations by
+    JANE ALLEN BOYER
+
+
+
+
+    Copyright, 1912, by
+    JANE EAYRE FRYER
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+DEAR GIRLS:
+
+This book tells the story of Mary Frances, a little girl whose great
+ambition was to help her mother. So anxious was she to do this that even
+the humble Kitchen People became her teachers and instructors. They
+talked to her, a thing never heard of before; helped her over the hard
+places, and explained mysterious secrets she could never otherwise have
+understood. They wove around a simple little book of recipes her mother
+had made for her the spell of Fairyland; they led her through a series
+of delightful adventures such as never happened to any girl before, in
+which she lived for three whole happy weeks, and out of which she
+emerged no longer a little girl, but a real little woman.
+
+Some very wise people would call this a story book, some a manual
+training book, and others a cookery book, but Mary Frances knows better;
+she knows that it is a Book within a Book that introduced her to Aunty
+Rolling Pin and a lot of other dear, dear friends, such as no little
+girl ever had before, and whom she now wishes to introduce for the first
+time to all other little girls. (I know that she gained their consent to
+do this because she told me so.)
+
+In the hope that Mary Frances' wish may be realized, this record of her
+adventures is sent out to the girls of America with the best wishes of
+
+                                                  THE AUTHOR.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CONTENTS]
+
+
+    CHAPTER                                             PAGE
+        I. THE KITCHEN PEOPLE                             11
+       II. TOASTER MAN                                    14
+      III. MARY FRANCES' MOTHER                           24
+       IV. MARY FRANCES WARNS THE KITCHEN FOLKS           27
+        V. AUNT MARIA                                     30
+       VI. JACKET-BOILED POTATOES                         33
+      VII. THE POT-AND-KETTLE FIGHT                       40
+     VIII. THE POTATO LUNCH                               46
+       IX. MARY FRANCES GETS BREAKFAST                    56
+        X. THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP                         65
+       XI. A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA                           70
+      XII. THE TRAMP                                      75
+     XIII. COMPANY TO LUNCH                               83
+      XIV. A PATENT DISH-WASHING                          91
+       XV. THIMBLE BISCUITS                               94
+      XVI. THE DOLLS' KITCHEN PARTY                      104
+     XVII. THE SICK NEIGHBOR                             110
+
+[Illustration: COOK BOOK]
+
+    XVIII. A MAN'S LUNCH                                 116
+      XIX. POOR BLUE PITCHER                             127
+       XX. MARY FRANCES GIVES A COOKING LESSON           131
+      XXI. THE PICNIC                                    135
+     XXII. THE CANDY PULL                                139
+    XXIII. GETTING READY FOR A PARTY                     144
+     XXIV. THE TEA PARTY                                 154
+      XXV. MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER                      159
+     XXVI. MOTHER'S SURPRISE. "GOOD-BYE, LITTLE MISS"    173
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF RECIPES
+
+
+                                PAGE
+    1. PLAIN TOAST                15
+    2. BUTTERED TOAST             19
+    3. MILK TOAST                 20
+    4. JACKET-BOILED POTATOES     35
+    5. BAKED POTATOES             46
+    6. BOILED POTATOES            47
+    7. MASHED POTATOES            47
+    8. POTATO SOUP                49
+    9. BOILED EGGS                60
+    10. HARD-BOILED EGGS          61
+    11. COFFEE                    63
+    12. TEA                       76
+    13. OMELET                    77
+    14. WHITE SAUCE               84
+    15. BAKED APPLES              86
+    16. THIMBLE BISCUITS          97
+    17. BAKING POWDER BISCUITS    98
+    18. COCOA                    102
+    19. GINGERBREAD COOKIES      108
+    20. SOFT CUSTARD             111
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+    21. STEAMED RICE             111
+    22. BOILED RICE              112
+    23. POACHED EGGS             114
+    24. RICE PUDDING             117
+    25. BOILED MUTTON            118
+    26. SAUCE FOR BOILED MUTTON  119
+    27. APPLE SNOW               127
+    28. STUFFED EGGS             136
+    29. PICKANINNY FUDGE         141
+    30. WALNUT KISSES            142
+    31. SPONGE CAKE              145
+    32. DREAM CAKE               150
+    33. QUEEN OF HEARTS TARTS    160
+    34. PASTRY                   160
+    35. SALAD DRESSING           166
+    36. CREAMED NEW CABBAGE      167
+    37. BREAD PUDDING            167
+    38. BANANA BREAD PUDDING     168
+    39. HARD SAUCE               168
+    40. PAN-BROILED BEEFSTEAK    169
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Kitchen People]
+
+
+    Tea Kettle
+    Sauce Pan
+    Boiler Pan
+    Big Iron Pot
+    Pie Plate & Tea Pot
+    Coffee Pot
+    Mantel Clock & Blue Pitcher
+    Auntie Rolling Pin
+    Toaster Man
+    Baking Dish & Potato Masher
+    Platter & Ladle
+    Yellow Bowl & Measuring Cup
+    Frying Pan
+    Basket
+    Perforated Skimmer & Can Opener
+    Round & Square Cake Tins
+    Iron Griddle & Little Pitcher
+    Fork Knife & Spoon
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE KITCHEN PEOPLE
+
+
+ALL the Kitchen People were terribly excited.
+
+"I see my finish!" puffed Tea Kettle from his perch on the stove.
+
+"That's slang!" snapped Sauce Pan, who sat near by.
+
+"Slang or no slang," said Tea Kettle, "I'll melt if somebody doesn't
+come fill me soon."
+
+"Where's the cook? Where's the mistress?" asked Boiler Pan.
+
+"Why, the cook's left--left this morning and the mistress's sick. What's
+that I smell burning?"
+
+"That's the potatoes in the oven," said Toaster.
+
+"Oh, my lid!" cried Tea Kettle holding his nose. "Pour on water! Quick!"
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed Coffee Pot.
+
+"Whew!" cried Pie Plate.
+
+"Whew!" clanged Big Iron Pot.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, my lid!"]
+
+"Whew!" mimicked Sauce Pan. "Whew!--That won't help! If you say Whew!
+to an oven door, will it open?--Somebody open the door!"
+
+"Good idea, Saucy!" exclaimed Tea Kettle. "You might try it yourself!"
+
+"Owoooh! O-w-o-o-o-h!" strained little Sauce Pan at the heavy door.
+"O-w-o-o-o-h! I can't-t budge it! Cauch! Cawc! Ochee!" he coughed. "What
+smoke! Somebody else come try!"
+
+"Get out of the way, then," said Big Iron Pot, making heavily toward the
+stove.
+
+"Knew your arms were too short," laughed Tea Kettle, seeing Iron Pot
+couldn't reach the knob.
+
+"Well, they're as long as yours," said Iron Pot angrily.
+
+"Kick it open!" sug-gest-ed Sauce Pan. "Everybody allowed one kick!"
+
+"First go!" exclaimed Iron Pot.
+
+Whack! came a muffled sound. Then, "Oh, my poor feet! Oh! Oh!"
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Sauce Pan.
+
+"Nothing," said Big Iron Pot, hopping around on one little leg, and
+holding the other with his hands. "Only I wish you'd had 'First go!'"
+
+[Illustration: "I wish you'd had 'First go!'"]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Well," declared Tea Kettle, "unless help comes soon, we may as well
+give up all hope of rescue. This is dreadful!"
+
+"Listen, then," ticked Mantel Clock, who didn't mind the smoke. "I know
+a secret: the dear little girl----"
+
+"Oh, yes, we know!" cried the Kitchen People.
+
+"Well!" asked Mantel Clock, "what do you know?"
+
+"The little girl--that there is a little girl----"
+
+"Is that all you know?" demanded Mantel Clock. "Now, when people
+interrupt----"
+
+"Just dying to tell," said Sauce Pan in a loud whisper.
+
+"Please, please, tell us the secret," begged the Kitchen People.
+
+"Well," Mantel Clock ran on, "the dear little girl that lives in our
+house is going to learn to cook. What d'you say if we all turn in and
+help her?"
+
+"Goody-goody!" Aunty Rolling Pin laughed so she nearly rolled off the
+table.
+
+Just then the kitchen door-knob turned, and every one of the Kitchen
+People was as quiet as a
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+TOASTER MAN
+
+
+IN ran the dearest, sweetest little girl.
+
+"Oh, you poor Tea Kettle!" she cried. "You'll boil to death!" and she
+pulled it over to the cooler part of the stove.
+
+Tea Kettle simmered his thanks.
+
+"What can be burning?" she asked. "What can it be?" and she looked all
+over the stove.
+
+"I do believe it's something in the oven!"
+
+As she pulled open the oven door, out rolled the burnt potatoes.
+
+"Now," she said, "now, for the toast," and she caught up her mother's
+apron from a hook, and tied it just under her arms, crossing the strings
+in front.
+
+The Kitchen People held their breath to see what would happen next.
+
+Suddenly she clapped her hands.
+
+"The very thing!" she cried, and ran out of the room. In a minute she
+was back, with a little book in her hands.
+
+[Illustration: In ran the dearest, sweetest little girl.]
+
+[Illustration: Out rolled the burnt potatoes.]
+
+"Mother was asleep," she whispered as though her mother was still in
+danger of being wakened by any sound--"but I just tip-toed up to the
+table, and got the book she's been making for my cooking lessons. This
+must be it--it's Mother's writing:
+
+    'The Mary Frances' First Cook Book.'
+
+I believe--I just believe it tells about toast. Yes, here it is, right
+on the first page:
+
+      NO. 1.--PLAIN TOAST.
+
+      1. Cut stale bread into slices, about ½ inch thick.
+
+      2. Remove crusts.
+
+      3. Put into wire toaster.
+
+      4. Hold over a fire, moving to and fro until a golden
+      brown color.
+
+      5. Turn, and brown the other side.
+
+"Let's see if there is any stale bread. I should think so! a whole loaf!
+Now, I'll cut two slices, and since I want it to be very nice, I'll cut
+off the crusts. I guess that will be enough; oh, how I wish somebody was
+here to help me."
+
+"There _is_ somebody--_I'll_ help!"
+
+[Illustration: With a little book in her hands]
+
+[Illustration: "There _is_ somebody--_I'll_ help!"]
+
+Mary Frances looked round in amazement. Seeing no one, "Why,--where?
+Why,--who are _you_?" she asked.
+
+"I'm Tea Kettle, Miss," said Tea Kettle, lifting his lid very politely.
+"I'm gladly at your service, if you please."
+
+"And I!" It was Sauce Pan.
+
+"And I!" cried Boiler Pan.
+
+Mary Frances could scarcely believe her ears.
+
+"My," she said, "can you all talk? and will you help me? Isn't that
+grand!--But how you did s'prise me! Won't we have a lovely time!"
+
+"Look at the fire! Look at the fire!"
+
+"What a tiny voice!" thought the little girl,--but she quickly took the
+lids off the stove. Some very bright coals stared up at her.
+
+"The fire is fine," she said aloud, and she looked all about to find
+where the voice came from, but she saw no one.
+
+"Look down, please!" said the same tiny voice, this time very
+distinctly.
+
+There stood the funniest little wire man, no higher than the little
+girl's elbow.
+
+[Illustration: "And I!"]
+
+[Illustration: "And I!"]
+
+"You didn't see me," laughed the little man, "but I know how to make
+toast."
+
+"Of course!" said the little girl, "you're--why, you're the Toaster!"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the little man, with a bow, "at your service, Miss
+Mary Frances."
+
+"Try me, and see what I can do," went on Toaster Man. "Just put a slice
+of that bread into my head, and hold me over the fire."
+
+Mary Frances leaned over and gravely put a slice of bread in Toaster. He
+looked so funny standing there that she wanted to smile, but thought it
+wouldn't be exactly polite to so helpful a friend. But when he said,
+"Slide up my collar," in a thick, smothery sort of voice, she laughed
+aloud before she could stop, but turned the sound into a cough so
+quickly that Toaster Man looked up at her queerly only a moment; and she
+pulled the ring up until it held the bread tightly in place.
+
+"Now, lift me up over the fire!" he demanded.
+
+Mary Frances hesitated--she couldn't tell where to take hold of him.
+
+[Illustration: "You didn't see me"]
+
+[Illustration: "Slide up my collar."]
+
+"Never mind my legs," he said, as though he read her thoughts, "I'll
+see to them," and he folded them up so close that when Mary Frances
+lifted him up, she could find no sign of them.
+
+"Oh, you'll be burnt!" she cried, as she held what Toaster Man had
+called his head over the bright fire.
+
+"Not I," he laughed, "not I. I like it. It's the toast that'll be burnt,
+if I'm not turned over soon."
+
+Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster carefully over.
+
+"Not too close to the coals at first, Little Miss," said the little
+fellow. "Now,--closer! That's it!"
+
+"How is it?" he asked, as Mary Frances took him from the fire.
+
+"What a beautiful piece of toast!" she cried.
+
+"Grand-if-i-cent!" exclaimed Toaster. "Now, you do the next piece
+without my saying a word--but first spread that with butter, and put it
+in the oven. Now, you read in your book, and see if that's not the way
+to make Buttered Toast."
+
+[Illustration: She opened her book.]
+
+Mary Frances opened her book.
+
+"Read it out!" said the little man.
+
+"When I speak that way, Mother tells me to say 'Please,'" said she.
+
+[Illustration: "Grandificent!" exclaimed Toaster.]
+
+"Beg pardon," said the little man, "Please."
+
+So Mary Frances read:
+
+      NO. 2.--BUTTERED TOAST.
+
+      1. Spread toasted bread evenly with butter.
+
+      2. Pile one slice on top of the other, and cover with
+      a bowl.
+
+      3. Place in oven.
+
+"That's it! that's what I told you," cried the little fellow. "I'm
+always right about toast. Can you make the next slice without a word
+more?"
+
+"I think so," said Mary Frances; and she didn't utter a sound until she
+had taken the second piece out of Toaster.
+
+"What a beautiful piece of toast!" exclaimed Toaster. "It's better than
+the first."
+
+[Illustration: "What a beautiful piece of toast!"]
+
+"Oh, I don't think----" Mary Frances started.
+
+"I know!" snapped the little man. "Don't contradict me about toast! By
+the way," he asked, "why don't you make it into Milk Toast for your
+mother? it would be softer, and more palat--palat--"
+
+"Pal-a-table," said Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: Buttered toast.]
+
+"Yes," said he, "you know a good deal for a little girl,"--and he began
+to choke. Mary Frances patted him hard.
+
+"A piece of toast?" she asked.
+
+"No," he exclaimed in-dig-nant-ly, "a long word always makes me choke.
+That's why I seldom use them. Now, please read about Milk Toast."
+
+"If you know----" sug-gest-ed Mary Frances.
+
+"Well, it's more like real grown-up people to have it out of a book,"
+said the little man. "Go on!"
+
+And Mary Frances read from her little Cook Book.
+
+[Illustration: Cup of milk]
+
+      NO. 3.--MILK TOAST.
+
+    1 tablespoon butter
+    1 tablespoon flour
+    1 cup milk
+    ¼ teaspoon salt
+    3 slices toast
+
+      1. Make ready the toast.
+
+      2. Heat the milk until smoking hot.
+
+      3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
+
+      4. Throw the flour into the butter. Cook until it
+      bubbles a little, stirring all the time. Take from the
+      fire.
+
+      5. Pour 1/3 the milk upon the butter and flour, a
+      little at a time, stirring with the back of a spoon to
+      press out the lumps.
+
+      6. Place over fire, and gradually stir in the
+      remaining milk.
+
+[Illustration: Measuring Cup & Pitcher]
+
+      7. Add the salt. Let boil a minute.
+
+      8. Put slices of toast in a heated dish; pour the
+      sauce over and serve hot.
+
+      All measures are made level with the top of cup or
+      spoon. To measure level spoonful:
+
+      Fill spoon heaping full, and level it off with the
+      back of a knife.
+
+      For half spoonful, cut through lengthwise.
+
+      For quarter spoonful, divide a half spoonful across.
+
+      A saltspoon is 1/8 teaspoon.
+
+"That's right!" said Toaster Man. "That's the way my grandmother made
+it. If I were you, I'd make only half of that sauce for only two slices
+of toast. You did so well with the Plain Toast; you go right ahead with
+the Milk Toast, and see if you can make it all yourself, and if you need
+any help, I'll be on the spot in a twinkle. Follow carefully what your
+little Cook Book says. You know you must measure everything even with
+the top of the spoon, or cup."
+
+[Illustration: "Hurrah!"]
+
+So Mary Frances did exactly what the recipe told her.
+
+[Illustration: To look over the edge of the dish]
+
+As she poured the last of the sauce over the toast, which she had put in
+a pretty dish, the little man, who had been running here and there,
+watching everything she did, shouted, "Hurrah!" At least, he tried to
+shout, but his voice would scarcely reach to a grown-up person's ear.
+"You are the best pupil I ever had!"
+
+"Have you had many?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+"You are the only one," said Toaster. "Why?"
+
+"Nothing," said Mary Frances.
+
+"I should think," said the little man, standing on his toes, to look
+over the edge of the dish, "that that Milk Toast would taste awful
+good!"
+
+"Won't you try it?" asked Mary Frances. She was very much afraid he
+would, but she wanted to show her gratitude for his kindness.
+
+"Oh, no," sighed the little man, "I never eat."
+
+"You never eat!" exclaimed Mary Frances.
+
+"It may seem strange to you," said the little man, "but everything that
+is put into my head falls out backwards, and I simply can't eat."
+
+[Illustration: "Everything falls out backwards"]
+
+"It must be dreadful!" said Mary Frances.
+
+"It keeps me very thin," complained Toaster, "but if I'm not mistaken,
+your mother will eat all that toast,--if she gets it while it's hot."
+
+"Oh, I hope so," said Mary Frances; "and I thank you so very very much."
+
+[Illustration: Followed by the admiring gaze of all.]
+
+"Good-bye!" added the little girl, as she went out of the kitchen,
+followed by the admiring gaze of all the Kitchen People.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "I thank you so very, very much."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+MARY FRANCES' MOTHER
+
+
+MARY FRANCES pushed open the door of her mother's room very softly.
+
+[Illustration: "What has my little girl there?"]
+
+"What has my little girl there?" asked her mother.
+
+"Oh, are you awake, Mother? It's a s'prise for you," and she carried the
+tray over to the bed.
+
+Her mother carefully lifted the lid of the dish.
+
+"Milk Toast! the only thing I could eat! why--who made it?"
+
+"If it hadn't been for Toaster, it couldn't have been made," said Mary
+Frances.
+
+Her mother looked at the little girl in surprise.
+
+"I mean," she added, "that Toaster really did it--he showed me how----"
+
+[Illustration: "It's a s'prise for you."]
+
+"Oh!" laughed her mother, as she lifted a slice of toast out on a
+saucer. "Well, dear, anyway I want you to have some toast with
+Mother"--and she handed the saucer to Mary Frances, who said she would
+much rather watch her mother eat it than to have some herself; but,
+after her first taste, she found how hungry she was.
+
+"It's the best toast I ever ate," said her mother, "and Mary Frances,
+dear, I feel much better already."
+
+She would have said more had not Mary Frances' brother bounded up the
+stairs two steps at a time with,----
+
+"What do you think! I met Father downtown, and he says Aunt Maria's
+coming over to keep house for us. In the daytime, she must be at home;
+but she'll come over to get breakfast for us, and we'll go there for our
+dinners--and Father says Mother is going to the seashore to have a
+'perfect rest' until she's well. Anyhow, I'm glad we won't starve. I
+wish Sis knew how to cook!" and he teasingly pulled one of Mary Frances'
+curls.
+
+"Hush, Brother!" said the mother, "you should have been here to see the
+lovely Milk Toast Sister just brought me. It was the best I ever
+ate--and she made it all herself."
+
+"Almost!" said Mary Frances.
+
+"Oh, yes," said her mother, "the dear little girlie wants Toaster to get
+part of the praise."
+
+[Illustration: "What do you think?"]
+
+[Illustration: "I must warn the Kitchen People."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Ha, ha!" laughed Brother, and Mary Frances, somehow, couldn't explain
+about the Kitchen Folks.
+
+Instead, "When does Aunt Maria come?" she asked. "Does she come
+to-night?"
+
+"She's coming right over," answered her brother.
+
+"Oh, oh!" thought Mary Frances, "I must warn the Kitchen People."
+
+"Brother," she began, nervously, "you stay with Mother--I want to take
+these things down."
+
+But Brother was already sitting quietly near Mother, and Mary Frances
+hurried softly downstairs.
+
+"The poor dears! The poor dears!" she kept whispering all the way down.
+
+[Illustration: "Milk Toast! the only think I could eat! why--who made
+it?"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+MARY FRANCES WARNS THE KITCHEN FOLKS
+
+
+TO the kitchen door she ran, and was about to rush out, when she thought
+she heard voices--thin, little voices they were--so she peeped out, for
+the door was ajar,--and this is what she saw:
+
+Toaster Man, all tired out, was leaning back in a chair, snoring softly;
+but all the other Kitchen People were wide awake. It was Tea Kettle that
+was speaking:
+
+"So, he put the eight feathers in a pan, and cooked them----"
+
+"Who did?" asked Sauce Pan.
+
+"The Jack Rabbit--and then he ate their fringe all off, and gave the
+bones to the cat. Then he bragged--he bragged that he'd eaten eight
+whole chickens at once."
+
+"Is that all?" asked Sauce Pan.
+
+"Yes," said Tea Kettle.
+
+"Humph!" said Sauce Pan. "Was that his recipe for Fried Chicken?"
+
+[Illustration: Then he bragged]
+
+[Illustration: Toaster Man all tired out.]
+
+[Illustration: "A Little Cap and Apron!" cried Mary Frances.]
+
+"My, I'd love to hear more about the Jack Rabbit," thought Mary
+Frances, "but I must warn them about Aunt Maria"; and she hurried out
+into the kitchen.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Listen!" she whispered, with upraised finger. "Listen!--Mother is going
+away, and Aunt Maria's coming over to keep house. Don't ever say a
+word--she'll never understand you, and she'll scrub and scour you till
+you ache, poor things!--she'll do that anyway, but don't talk before
+her. I hurried down to warn you--I was so afraid you might."
+
+"Never fear," spoke up Tea Kettle; "we never, never talk before
+'grown-ups'--we can't help them. I forgot to tell you--if you speak
+about us to anyone, we can never, never speak again."
+
+"Oh," said Mary Frances, "it's a secret! I'm so glad you told me--I came
+so near telling Mother about Toaster Man--I might have, only----"
+
+Then the door-bell rang.
+
+[Illustration: "She'll scrub and scour you till you ache, poor
+things!"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+AUNT MARIA
+
+
+"FOR the land's sakes!" cried Aunt Maria. "For the land's sakes! Where
+in the world has that child been? Look at those hands! Have you been
+playing in the coal?"
+
+"I put coal on the fire," said Mary Frances.
+
+"I guess I'll take a look at that fire, myself," Aunt Maria continued,
+as she started toward the kitchen.
+
+Just then, she caught sight of the tray which Mary Frances had brought
+downstairs.
+
+"Milk Toast," she sniffed. "Who sent that in?"
+
+"I--I made it," Mary Frances began.
+
+There was one tiny piece left. Aunt Maria looked at it hard.
+
+"It's wonderful," she said, "wonderful; who showed you how?"
+
+"Who showed you how?" she demanded, as Mary Frances stood silent.
+
+[Illustration: "Who showed you how?"]
+
+"N-no-body,--at least, no real person. I read about how to make it in my
+cook book."
+
+[Illustration: "N-no-body."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"_Your_ cook book--you mean your _mother's_ cook book."
+
+"No," said Mary Frances, "I mean my cook book Mother's been making for
+me. I'll show it to you," and she ran to get it. "See!--in Mother's
+writing--'Mary Frances' First Cook Book!'"
+
+"Well," said Aunt Maria, "you may turn out of some account, after all.
+It's about time to call for a ref-or-ma-tion."
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, not un-der-stand-ing the big word--"do
+you want me to call for it now?"
+
+"Don't be saucy!" snapped the old lady.
+
+Then she set about washing the little girl's hands and face, rubbing so
+hard that it made the tears come, finishing off with the towel until
+Mary Frances felt her face shine.
+
+"Wonder if she thinks I'm a stove," she thought. "Maybe she'll black me
+some day by mistake! I don't believe she knows how old I am--she treats
+me like a baby, for all the world sometimes, yet she thinks I ought to
+know more. Queer!"
+
+[Illustration: "Wonder if she thinks I'm a stove."]
+
+While Aunt Maria was busy getting dinner, she ran up to her mother's
+room.
+
+"Mother," she asked, "Aunt Maria will be gone home most of the day time,
+while you're away, won't she?"
+
+"Yes, dear," said Mother; "you and Brother are to go to her house to
+lunch."
+
+"Mother, dear," begged Mary Frances, "can't I get lunch for Brother and
+me? I was going to tell you I read--I found the recipe for the Milk
+Toast in my little cook book you've been making for me. I came up and
+found it while you were asleep--I just know I can get our lunches.
+Please, Mother, can't I try?"
+
+"Well, dear," said Mother, smiling, "I really believe you may. I've just
+been thinking about the toast, and what a woman my dear little girl is."
+
+Just then Aunt Maria called:
+
+    "Dinner!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: Washing the little girl's hands and face.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+JACKET-BOILED POTATOES
+
+
+"GOOD-BYE, Billy! Take good care of Sister. Good-bye, little
+Housekeeper!" said Mother, leaning from the car window. The children
+waved "good-bye," and watched the train until it was a speck in the
+distance.
+
+[Illustration: "Good-bye!"]
+
+[Illustration: "Good-bye!" "Good-bye!"]
+
+"I'm off to the mill-race, with the boys, Sister,--catch!" cried Billy,
+tossing Mary Frances the key.
+
+"All right," she called, "be sure to come home to lunch--twelve
+o'clock."
+
+Mary Frances suddenly felt very lonesome.
+
+"But I'll go home to my Kitchen Folks--they'll be good company," she
+thought.
+
+When she let herself into the house, how big and empty it seemed! She
+was almost afraid to go in, but she bravely locked the door behind her.
+
+She thought she heard a noise. Surely the curtain moved! Her heart went
+pit-a-pat! The curtain moved again. Out sprang Jubey, and scampered off
+into the kitchen.
+
+"Oh, you darling kitten!" she cried, running after her. "How you scared
+me, Jubey!"
+
+[Illustration: "How you scared me, Jubey!"]
+
+Everything was as neat as a pin. All the Kitchen Folks were in their
+places, prim, and quiet, and scared, just as Aunt Maria had left them,
+but when they saw her they brightened up, and smiled a welcome.
+
+"How do you do, Kitchen Folks?" she said.
+
+"How do, little Miss?" merrily sang Tea Kettle.
+
+"H-o-w d-o?" ticked Mantel Clock.
+
+"What in the world shall I have for lunch?" mused the little girl. "That
+boy will be as hungry as two bears,--and I don't know many things to
+cook yet. Toast is all right for a sick person, but it isn't much for a
+hungry boy,--and I ought to make something new. Let me see what my
+little book says," and she fetched it out of its hiding place.
+
+[Illustration: As hungry as two bears.]
+
+"Oh, I know! I'll make everything! I do hope I get through the book
+before Mother comes back! Let's see,--here's 'How to Cook Potatoes,' and
+'Eggs'; here are 'Biscuits,' and even how to make 'Tarts' and
+'Cakes,'--and Goody! Candy! Oh, how I'd love to make candy right away,
+but Mother said I must make the things in the order they come in the
+book. So to-day I make
+
+      NO. 4.--JACKET-BOILED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Scrub rather small potatoes well.
+
+      2. Pare a ring around each the long way; drop into
+      cold water.
+
+      3. Drain; cover with boiling water; add 1 tablespoon
+      salt.
+
+      4. Let boil about 35 minutes, or until a fork will
+      easily pierce the largest.
+
+      5. Drain off all the water, and set pan at back of
+      stove to dry off the potatoes.
+
+      6. Serve in their jackets.
+
+[Illustration: Jacket boiled potatoes]
+
+"I wonder how many Billy will eat," she thought, as she brought the
+basket. "I guess about--about--I don't know. He has an e-nor-mous
+appetite. I guess I'll cook a hundred."
+
+"He'll never eat a hundred!"
+
+[Illustration: "He'll never eat a hundred."]
+
+Mary Frances looked around. Boiler Pan was climbing down from the closet
+shelf.
+
+"Hello! How do you know?" asked Mary Frances. "You never saw him eat."
+
+"Hear that! Hear that!" cried Boiler Pan. "As though I hadn't cooked
+potatoes before you were born. Eat a hundred? Why, I can't hold a
+hundred--so there!"
+
+"Ho, ho!" said Mary Frances, "that must be so. How many can you hold?"
+
+"Oh, about thirty, I guess," swelling with pride.
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "you've no notion how many that boy can eat,
+and there isn't much else for lunch. I guess I'll cook about
+twelve,"--and counting them out, she began to wash them.
+
+"Be sure to get all the sand out of their eyes," laughed Boiler Pan.
+"But first, will you help me jump up on the stove, and fill me?--then I
+can boil while you're 'ringing' the potatoes."
+
+This done, he was very quiet, while she finished the potatoes.
+
+Just then the clock struck eleven.
+
+[Illustration: The clock struck eleven.]
+
+"Why, I must hurry," exclaimed Mary Frances.
+
+"I'm ready," bubbled Boiler Pan.
+
+"Oh, yes, I'm coming," and she dropped the potatoes in one by one.
+
+"Now, put on my hat," said Boiler Pan, and Mary Frances put on the lid.
+
+"Are they all right?" asked the little girl.
+
+[Illustration: Swelling with pride.]
+
+"All right!" he answered in a muffled voice.
+
+Mary Frances then went in the dining-room, and busied herself about
+setting the table.
+
+Soon, she heard a "rumpus" in the kitchen. She ran out. Bubbles were
+sputtering over the sides of Boiler Pan, and the lid was dancing a jig.
+
+"What shall I do? What shall I do?" cried Mary Frances, jumping up and
+down.
+
+"This hat's crazy! Take it off, quick!" Boiler Pan besought her.
+
+Without thinking, she seized the lid with her fingers, but dropped it
+with a cry of pain.
+
+"I'm scalded, I'm scalded," she sobbed. "What will I do for it?" and she
+ran for some cold water.
+
+"Don't do that, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin. "Butter it and then
+powder it with baking soda the way your mother does."
+
+[Illustration: "Don't do that child."]
+
+"I'm so sorry," said Boiler Pan, "but I really couldn't get my old hat
+off. I should have told you to take a holder."
+
+[Illustration: "This hat's crazy!"]
+
+"Never mind, it's better now. Those potatoes must be done. Yes," as she
+tried them with a fork, "even the biggest is done in the middle. I'm so
+glad, for I expect that boy any minute."
+
+"So'm I," said Boiler Pan, "for I feel the effect of this
+stren-u-os-i-ty."
+
+Mary Frances pretended not to notice this speech, but carefully drained
+the water from the potatoes, and shook Boiler Pan over the fire to dry
+them off.
+
+"I--I--learned--that--that--wor--word--after
+year--years--of--stud--study," he said between the shakes, "and
+you--nev--never--notic--noticed----"
+
+But Billy was knocking.
+
+So Mary Frances, hastily putting Boiler Pan on the back of the stove,
+ran to let him in.
+
+"Hello, Sister! Here we are! Lunch ready?"
+
+[Illustration: "Hello, Sister."]
+
+"Yes, all ready. I'll put it on. You sit in Father's place, and we'll
+play we're grown up."
+
+"Scrumptious!" exclaimed Billy, as Mary Frances set the smoking dish of
+potatoes on the table.
+
+"What an excellent cook you must have, Madam," he said, after his first
+taste. "Such good potatoes!"
+
+"I have ten," said Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: "Let's give it to Jubey."]
+
+"Ten! You are fortunate, indeed, Madam," said Billy, for all the world
+as though he were a grown-up young gentleman. "How quiet they keep."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes," laughed Mary Frances, "but they're 'most always busy," and she
+held up her ten pink little fingers.
+
+[Illustration: "I have ten," said Mary Frances.]
+
+"Oh, Billy," she added earnestly, "I'm so glad you like them--the
+potatoes, I mean. There is only one left--won't you have that?"
+
+"Oh, let's give that to Jubey--Jubey might be hurt if you didn't let her
+try them. I would,--if I were Jubey."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE POT-AND-KETTLE FIGHT
+
+
+"GOOD morning, Kitchen People," said Mary Frances, after breakfast next
+day, "this is a very important morning with me."
+
+The Kitchen People looked pleased and important, too.
+
+[Illustration: Looked pleased and important.]
+
+"You see, it's this way," she continued as she took her little book and
+sat in the rocking chair. "I am very anxious to get through every recipe
+in my cook book before Mother comes home, so I guess we'll just finish
+all the potato recipes to-day,--and give Billy a Potato Lunch! Won't
+that be fine?"
+
+The Kitchen People all smiled in approval.
+
+She went to the window.
+
+"O--h, Billy! Billy!" she called; "you're invited to a Potato Lunch in
+our dining-room at twelve o'clock."
+
+[Illustration: "O--h, Billy!"]
+
+"All right, I'll be on time," answered Billy from the garden.
+
+"Let's see," said Mary Frances to herself, "four more recipes--about
+two potatoes each. Four times two,--eight."
+
+She washed the potatoes carefully, and had no sooner set about paring
+them, than the kitchen door opened, and in walked Aunt Maria.
+
+"What in the world is that child doing? Paring potatoes? Did I
+ever!--Such thin, close parings, too! How well she does it!--But you
+must drop them into cold water as soon as they are pared, child. I wish
+I could stay and show you how to cook, but duty calls me--I must be
+going!"
+
+[Illustration: "Drop them into cold water."]
+
+Mary Frances stepped to the door with her.
+
+"When I was your age, child, I could cook 'most everything and piece
+patch-work for quilts,"--and she kept Mary Frances on the porch ten
+minutes, telling her that little girls weren't brought up any more to be
+useful the way they were when she was a little girl.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Oh, my lid!" sang Tea Kettle, as Mary Frances stepped back into the
+kitchen. "Oh, my aunt!--has the old lady went?"
+
+"Gone!" said Big Iron Pot from the back of the stove.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, my aunt!"]
+
+"Who dares correct me?" simmered Tea Kettle.
+
+"I dare," sputtered Iron Pot. "I dare,--and I dare tell you other
+things, too!"
+
+[Illustration: "Who dares correct me?" "I dare!"]
+
+"You do, do you?" bubbled Tea Kettle. "You do! Well, what do you dare
+tell me?"
+
+"I dare tell you, Mister," said Iron Pot, "that you've got a dirty
+face--yes, a black face."
+
+Tea Kettle, it was plain to be seen, was boiling mad. Steam blew out of
+his nose in every direction.
+
+Now, everybody who knows anything about a tea kettle can imagine how
+very angry Tea Kettle was.
+
+As soon as he could get his breath, he blew steam all over Iron Pot.
+
+"My face is black, is it? Well, yours is black,--and it will soon be
+black and blue!"
+
+"You swallow them words!" and Iron Pot raised his queer little fists.
+
+"Sput!" mocked Tea Kettle, getting ready to spout again. "Take that!"
+
+Wang! came down the little fist,--but not on the lid of Tea Kettle. Oh,
+no; for just as that was going to happen, Mary Frances lifted him high
+in the air.
+
+"Let go of me! Let me at Iron Pot!" He was at white heat.
+
+"Be quiet!" said Mary Frances, shaking him quite hard. "What's all this
+about?"
+
+"Iron Pot commenced it!" sullenly simmered Tea Kettle. "Iron Pot called
+me names!"
+
+"Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful! Now, you sit there!" She
+put Tea Kettle on the front of the stove.
+
+"And you, there!" She pulled Big Iron Pot as far back as she could.
+
+"Now, behave yourselves!"
+
+Then she sat down to rest.
+
+"What makes them quarrel so, I wonder," Mary Frances said half to
+herself. "All the Kitchen People seem so kind and helpful."
+
+"Why, don't you know, child?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "I thought
+everybody knew that story."
+
+[Illustration: "Don't you know, child?" "Let me at him!"]
+
+A story! Mary Frances was always ready to listen to a story.
+
+"Won't you tell me, please?"
+
+Aunty Rolling Pin cleared her voice, and rolled back an inch or two to
+a more comfortable place on the table.
+
+"You see, it's this way, child," she began.
+
+"In the days of your great-grandmother there were no stoves, only open
+fireplaces were used for cooking,--and kettles were just as black then
+as that old black Pot there.
+
+[Illustration: In the days of your great grandmother]
+
+"So, when the Pot called the Kettle black, the Kettle said:
+
+"'Black yourself!' and no harm was done.
+
+"But when your mother got that fine new cook stove, she bought that
+bright, shiny Kettle, too.
+
+"But that silly old Pot doesn't know that the new Kettle is bright and
+shiny, so it keeps on calling names. That Pot doesn't know it's fooling
+itself,--for all it sees is its own homely old black self in the shiny
+Kettle making faces.
+
+"And that's what comes of calling names, child," chuckled Aunty Rolling
+Pin, as she ended her story.
+
+Then Mr. Tea Kettle puffed steam importantly, and clapped his little
+lid.
+
+Nothing more was said in the kitchen for several seconds.
+
+[Illustration: Kettles were just as black.]
+
+"Thank you!" at length said Mary Frances gratefully to Aunty Rolling
+Pin.
+
+Then she added, very firmly and gently to Iron Pot and Tea Kettle:
+
+"I want you to promise me never to call names again, either one of you,
+for it makes me feel so sad.
+
+"Do you promise?" she asked.
+
+"I promise," brightly answered Tea Kettle.
+
+"I pro-promise," solemnly declared Big Iron Pot.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful!"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A POTATO LUNCH
+
+
+"I'M so relieved," said Mary Frances with a sigh.
+
+"Now, I can hurry along the Potato Lunch."
+
+"Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock, "it's quarter past eleven. You have only
+three-quarters of an hour."
+
+[Illustration: "Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock]
+
+"That's so!" said Mary Frances. "The next recipe is:
+
+      NO. 5.--BAKED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Choose potatoes of the same size--rather large.
+
+      2. Scrub well, and wipe.
+
+      3. Bake in a hot oven from 30 to 45 minutes, or until
+      soft when pressed between thumb and fingers.
+
+      4. Roll each between the fingers: this makes them
+      mealy.
+
+      5. Serve on a napkin.
+
+"Why, I won't need to pare those! I'll put two of these I've washed in
+the oven. The oven's grand and hot!
+
+"Let me see,--will all the others need paring?
+
+[Illustration: "I won't need to pare those."]
+
+"Yes," she laughed, "I didn't notice the heading of the chapter
+before----
+
+"'Potatoes Without Jackets,'"
+
+      NO. 6.--BOILED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Wash potatoes.
+
+      2. Pare, throwing into cold water.
+
+      3. Drain; cover with boiling water, allowing 1
+      tablespoon salt to every twelve potatoes.
+
+      4. Let boil ½ hour, or until the largest is soft
+      when pierced with a fork.
+
+      5. Drain off all the water.
+
+      6. Shake over fire, or place on back of stove to dry
+      off the potatoes.
+
+      NO. 7.--MASHED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Boil potatoes. Drain; dry off.
+
+      2. Mash in pan in which they were cooked.
+
+      3. For every cupful, add
+
+    1 dash pepper,
+    1 saltspoon salt,
+    ½ tablespoon butter (scant).
+
+      4. For every cupful, heat 2 tablespoons milk.
+
+      5. Throw the heated milk on potatoes.
+
+      6. Beat with a wire fork until creamy.
+
+      7. Pile lightly on a hot dish. Serve uncovered.
+
+[Illustration: Potatoes without jackets]
+
+[Illustration: Measuring Spoons]
+
+[Illustration: Billy's Potato Luncheon.]
+
+      NOTE.--Remember that all measurements are level or
+      even with the top. To divide a spoonful, cut it
+      through the middle lengthwise, for a half; and across
+      that, for one-quarter of a spoonful.
+
+      NO. 8.--POTATO SOUP.
+
+      Place on the table:
+
+    3 freshly boiled potatoes
+    1 onion
+    butter
+    parsley
+    flour dredger
+    pepper
+    salt
+    1 pint milk (2 cups)
+
+      1. Put the milk in the upper part of a double boiler,
+      half filling the under part with boiling water.
+
+      2. Throw in 2 slices of onion, and put double boiler
+      on the stove for 10 minutes.
+
+      3. Mash potatoes and add to the hot milk.
+
+      4. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper.
+
+      5. Put through a wire strainer, rubbing the potatoes
+      through with a spoon.
+
+      6. Put into double boiler and place on stove.
+
+      7. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a little pan.
+
+      8. Throw into it ½ tablespoon flour. Stir well.
+
+      9. Dip a little of the hot milk on this, stirring
+      well, then pour into the soup.
+
+      10. Let boil 10 minutes.
+
+      11. Add 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. If too thick,
+      add hot water or milk.
+
+      12. Serve very hot.
+
+[Illustration: Two cups of milk]
+
+[Illustration: To divide a spoonful]
+
+"Oh, I know how to cook boiled potatoes! They're just like
+jacket-boiled, only they have their jackets off," she cried.
+
+"Why, certainly," exclaimed Boiler Pan, which she had put on the stove
+half full of water, "I know my part--I just hurry them right along in a
+jiffy."
+
+[Illustration: "I just hurry them along"]
+
+He looked so interested that Mary Frances laughed as she dropped the
+potatoes in.
+
+"Are they all to be boi--boiled?" stuttered the bubbling Boiler Pan.
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances, "all except those I put in the oven. Listen!
+I'll tell you the menu for Billy's Potato Lunch. We'll begin, of course,
+with soup--Potato Soup."
+
+"'Purée' is the word for thick soups," suggested Boiler Pan. "It seems
+more stylish, don't you think?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" said Mary Frances. "I do believe I'll write a card for
+each of us to have at our places at the table!" and she quickly brought
+her school pad from her desk.
+
+[Illustration: She brought her school pad.]
+
+Then she wrote:
+
+    MENU
+
+    Billy's Potato Lunch
+
+    Purée of Potato
+    Potatoes-in-the-Shell
+    Cold Meat      Mashed Potatoes
+    Sliced Bananas with Cream
+    Milk
+
+"That 'Potato-in-the-Shell' sounds 'swell,'" said Coffee Pot, "but it
+seems to me you ought to have something to drink, like coffee, or
+something of that kind."
+
+"Oh, that's true," Mary Frances replied, "but I don't know how to make
+coffee, and Mother said I must make everything in the order it came in
+my book----"
+
+"Won't you look to see if my turn doesn't come soon?" interrupted Coffee
+Pot.
+
+[Illustration: "See if my turn doesn't come soon?"]
+
+"Not to-day," Mary Frances shook her head. "To-day we have milk.
+
+[Illustration: "To-day we have milk."]
+
+"Why, to-morrow!" as she looked in her book. "Isn't that fine!
+But--those potatoes must be done. I should think so! A minute more, and
+they'd have been burned!" she said as she drained off the water.
+
+"Now, ready for the masher!"
+
+"Quite ready," said a little voice, and Mary Frances was not surprised
+to see Potato Masher tumble over the edge of Boiler Pan as she put him
+on the table.
+
+[Illustration: "Quite ready."]
+
+"Push my head down hard!" said he in a thick, mushy voice, and Mary
+Frances did as he directed.
+
+Suddenly Potato Masher stopped work.
+
+"How will you know how much potato to put into the soup?" he asked.
+
+"Why," said Mary Frances, "there were only six boiled ones altogether,
+so the three for the soup will be just half."
+
+"Pretty good, pretty good for a little girl just learning to cook,"
+Potato Masher said, and ducked his head into the potatoes again.
+
+When they were finished Mary Frances said:
+
+[Illustration: "Push my head down hard"]
+
+"You know so much about potatoes, perhaps you can sit right up on that
+box," pointing to the sugar box, "and tell me when I make a mistake. I'm
+going to do 'xactly as my book says--you cry out, 'Stop!' when I do
+anything the wrong way."
+
+"It--will--be--the--day--of--my--life--ever--to--be--remembered--"
+
+Potato Masher ran his words together clumsily--"But I should be very
+much obliged to you if you would first wash my face."
+
+[Illustration: "First wash my face."]
+
+"Why, certainly," said Mary Frances. "I didn't like to suggest it."
+
+"Thank you kindly, Miss. 'Tis a pleasure to serve you," said the little
+fellow, as he perched himself on the sugar box, when Mary Frances
+brought him back to the table.
+
+"All ready?" asked the little girl.
+
+"Class proceed!" said Potato Masher, with a school teacher air.
+
+Only twice did he interrupt her as she followed every direction given in
+the recipes: once, to remind her of the potatoes in the oven; and again,
+to tell her to pour the soup very slowly, lest she burn herself.
+
+[Illustration: "Class proceed"]
+
+"It's mag-nif-i-cent!--this Potato Lunch," said he, as Mary Frances
+carried the last smoking dish to the dining table. "'Tis a proud day
+for the 'Assistant Chef'--meaning myself."
+
+He made a pompous little bow toward the Kitchen Folks.
+
+"I little thought she'd be on time. I was afraid I'd have to strike
+before she was ready," declared Mantel Clock, beginning to strike twelve
+just as Billy came in.
+
+"Menus!" exclaimed the boy.
+
+[Illustration: "Menus!" exclaimed the boy.]
+
+"Jimminy! 'Billy's Potato Lunch,'" he read. "Oh, I say--if I'd known I'd
+have dressed for the occasion!"
+
+"Don't make fun, Billy," begged Mary Frances.
+
+"'Make fun,'" cried Billy. "Just taste that soup--and see if anyone
+could make fun. It's fit for the President."
+
+"Oh--Billy!" Mary Frances laughed.
+
+"Maybe you think I don't mean it," said Billy, helping himself to mashed
+potatoes. "Why didn't you invite some company?"
+
+"I didn't know that Potato Masher--I mean, I didn't know it would turn
+out so well," blushed Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: "I little thought she'd be on time."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Invite somebody--can't I bring Bob and Eleanor over some day soon to
+lunch?"
+
+"Yes,'" said Mary Frances, "if Aunt Maria----"
+
+"Oh, by the way," said Billy "I 'most forgot! Aunt Maria had word her
+brother is sick at Upland, and she went to see him this morning, and
+can't possibly be back in time for breakfast. I guessed we'd make out O.
+K. I told her--I was thinking of our lunches, you know."
+
+"Billy--really?" asked Mary Frances, "but I'm sorry for Aunt Maria's
+brother."
+
+[Illustration: "Thank you kindly, Miss."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+MARY FRANCES GETS BREAKFAST
+
+
+MARY FRANCES was a long time getting to sleep that night for thinking
+about breakfast.
+
+She had her little cook book, and Mother's last letter under her pillow.
+
+"Billy writes your lunches are 'scrumptious,'" ran her mother's letter.
+"I cannot tell how much comfort my little girl is to me."
+
+[Illustration: Mother's last letter.]
+
+"I've 'most a mind to tell Mother about the cook book," thought Mary
+Frances, "but won't she open her eyes when I tell her I've made
+everything--if I can keep the secret! I do hope I wake up in time.
+Father said he'd call me to breakfast, when he said "Good-night," but I
+want to slip down, and have everything ready when he comes."
+
+So she fell asleep, and dreamed she made an Angel Cake as big as a
+mountain, and that Jubey stole it, and fed all the hungry cats in the
+World.
+
+[Illustration: Jubey fed all the hungry cats in the world.]
+
+She had fixed the curtain so that the first sunlight would fall on her
+face, and it seemed only a breath of time until she felt it call her.
+
+How sleepy she was!
+
+"I'll get down before the Kitchen Folks are awake," she whispered.
+
+She carried her little shoes in her hand and stole softly downstairs,
+stopping in the dining-room to put them on.
+
+"Nonsense, you!" she recognized the voice of Tea Kettle.
+
+"Just wait till I read it out of my little book," mimicked a new voice.
+
+"For shame, you saucy Pan!" exclaimed Big Iron Pot.
+
+"Just wait until I read it!"
+
+Mary Frances peeped into the kitchen. In the middle of the floor stood
+little Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book:
+
+"'How to Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut.'"
+
+"Silly!" exclaimed Potato Masher.
+
+Sauce Pan repeated:
+
+"To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut:
+
+"1. Fill eight potatoes with Sauer-kraut, and peel them.
+
+[Illustration: To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut.]
+
+[Illustration: "For shame, you saucy Pan!"]
+
+"2. Make a crust of the left-overs.
+
+"3. Bake the parings well, and serve very hot on ice."
+
+Just then Mary Frances sneezed.
+
+How Sauce Pan ran, and jumped up to his place on the rack!
+
+He looked so shamefaced when Mary Frances went in, that she hadn't the
+heart to scold him.
+
+Instead, "Boiled Eggs," she called.
+
+He pretended to be asleep. Then she took him by the arm and shook him.
+
+"Boiled Eggs!" she shouted. "Doesn't that mean you?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," he said meekly; "I'm such a 'sleepy-head!' Do you know,"
+con-fi-den-ti-al-ly, "I often talk in my sleep." At this the Kitchen
+People grinned.
+
+[Illustration: He pretended to be asleep.]
+
+"Ahem!" said Mary Frances, "It's a dangerous habit. Sometimes people
+tell stories when they're awake, too," she added as she stepped out to
+get the milk.
+
+"Is 'Old Puff-away' ready?" asked Sauce Pan of Coffee Pot.
+
+[Illustration: "I can scarcely wait till I'm needed"]
+
+"If you mean Tea Kettle, Saucy," answered Coffee Pot excitedly, "I hope
+so, for I can scarcely wait till I'm needed."
+
+Tea Kettle gave two extra puffs of steam, but otherwise took no notice.
+
+"How do you know you'll be used?" Sauce Pan asked of Coffee Pot, nudging
+Pie Plate who was near him.
+
+"I come next in the book--and, besides, I'm always used for breakfast."
+Coffee Pot was beginning to get angry.
+
+"Bet we have eggs,--eggs, and toast, and--_tea_! Yes, I bet it's _tea_
+for B. this morning."
+
+Sauce Pan kept on saying, "Tea for B." so long that Coffee Pot began to
+cry:
+
+    "Eggs and toast and tea,
+     That doesn't mean me.
+     Coffee is better--
+     Though not wetter--
+     For breakfast
+     Than tea, tea, tea."
+
+[Illustration: Coffee Pot began to cry]
+
+"Tee-hee--Tee-hee--Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan, pointing to Coffee Pot
+tan-ta-liz-ing-ly, who began to cry in earnest.
+
+[Illustration: "Tee-hee--Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan.]
+
+"Why, what's the matter with Coffee Pot?" Mary Frances asked when she
+came in. "Is it possible Aunt Maria forgot to dry you last night?"
+
+Nobody said anything--and Sauce Pan hastily ran toward the stove.
+
+"Wait," called Mary Frances, "wait a minute until I can look in my
+book----"
+
+"Oh, I can say it without any book--we all know our own tricks," boasted
+Sauce Pan.
+
+"All right," said Mary Frances, "say it--that will save time."
+
+So he began.
+
+"B'iled eggs--excuse me!--boiled eggs," he corrected, seeing Mary
+Frances' stern face.
+
+      NO. 9.--BOILED EGGS.
+
+      1. Put eggs in sauce pan.
+
+      2. Cover with boiling Water.
+
+      3. Place where the water will keep hot 6 to 10
+      minutes. A quicker method is to boil eggs very gently
+      3 or 4 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: Boiled eggs.]
+
+[Illustration: "That's what Nora said"]
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Mary Frances, "I thought you dropped the eggs into
+boiling water for three minutes or more, 'accordin'--that's what Nora
+said. I asked her what 'accordin' meant, and she said 'accordin' to the
+tastes of them that eats them--soft or hard."
+
+"I was speaking of the best way," declared Sauce Pan glancing loftily at
+Mary Frances. "There is no end of ways to do it, but this is the
+scientific way to cook eggs so that they will be soft, but cooked all
+the way through and easily digested--not liquid inside a hard, white
+coat. In other Words--Ahem! the al-bu-men (white of egg) cooks much
+better at a lower than a higher temperature."
+
+[Illustration: Glancing loftily at Mary Frances]
+
+"Whew!" whistled Coffee Pot.
+
+"I wonder how it is in my book." Mary Frances turned to the page.
+"Exactly as you said!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Of course!" declared Sauce Pan.
+
+"Bet he peeped into the book," whispered Coffee Pot to Toaster.
+
+[Illustration: "Bet he peeped into the book."]
+
+Sauce Pan continued: It is somewhat the same way with
+
+      NO. 10.--HARD-BOILED EGGS.
+
+      1. Put eggs in sauce pan.
+
+      2. Cover them with boiling water.
+
+      3. Place on fire where the water will boil but _very_
+      gently 20 minutes.
+
+"Thinks he knows it all," grumbled Coffee Pot; "he'll be like the frog;
+he'll burst with pride if he keeps this up."
+
+"Well, well, well!" said Mary Frances, "I certainly am surprised at what
+you know."
+
+    "A Sauce Pan is a funny thing,
+       Needed by every lassie,--
+     Although it may be full of sauce
+       It may not yet be sassy,"
+
+sang the little fellow, dancing on the stove.
+
+[Illustration: "A Sauce Pan is a funny thing."]
+
+"Old Puff-away," he began.
+
+"That will do!" said Mary Frances, and proceeded to pour out the hot
+water. "Tea Kettle is my right-hand man. Don't you dare say another word
+until I speak to you"--as she put in the eggs, and drew him to the back
+of the stove.
+
+"And now, I'll make the coffee."
+
+At her side stood Coffee Pot.
+
+"Are you ready?" he asked.
+
+"Quite ready," she said.
+
+"Is it really my turn?" he asked again.
+
+"Yes," smiled Mary Frances, "it is!"
+
+[Illustration: "He'll be like the frog."]
+
+Then he began to recite ex-cit-ed-ly:
+
+      NO. 11.--COFFEE.
+
+      1. Put into coffee pot 1 rounded tablespoon ground
+      coffee for each cup needed.
+
+      2. Pour on boiling water, allowing 1 cup to every
+      tablespoon coffee used.
+
+      3. Let come to a boil three times, stirring down each
+      time.
+
+      4. Draw off the fire. Pour in 1 tablespoon cold water
+      for each cup.
+
+      5. Let stand in a warm place 3 minutes to settle
+      grounds. Serve.
+
+      If not used immediately, strain into another warmed
+      pot.
+
+"You might pour out the first cupful to clear the nose--I mean,
+spout--then pour it back again."
+
+He stopped for breath.
+
+"Thank you, Coffee Pot," smiled Mary Frances, in praise, "how interested
+and wide awake you are!"
+
+"I never sleep much," confided Coffee Pot. "I believe it's the
+coffee--just 'cat naps,' you know. I sometimes think my heart is
+affected--I'm so easily stirred up,--although I always feel well."
+
+[Illustration: "I think my heart is affected"]
+
+"If you always feel well," laughed Mary Frances, "I guess your heart is
+all right."
+
+"Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan, "he's awfully good-hearted."
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan.]
+
+"Didn't I tell you,--'not another word' until I spoke to you?" said Mary
+Frances to Sauce Pan, as she lifted Coffee Pot to the table, and
+measured out the coffee and water.
+
+After she had followed his directions entirely, she made the toast.
+
+Toaster Man was so sleepy, he didn't say a word except, "You'll do it
+right, I know," and fell asleep again.
+
+Just then, Mary Frances heard her father call.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP
+
+
+"MARY FRANCES, dear, you can get up now," her father was saying.
+
+"Why, where is my little girl?"
+
+She knew he was looking in her bedroom.
+
+"All right, Father," she called; "I'm up and dressed--and
+downstairs--and, Father, wait a minute; breakfast is almost ready. I'll
+call you in a minute."
+
+She ran to put some oranges on the table.
+
+[Illustration: She ran to put some oranges on the table]
+
+"You can come now, you and Brother," she then called. "You sit right
+down and eat your oranges, as I bring in the other things."
+
+"All right, dear," said her father; "but first I want my good-morning
+kiss."
+
+"A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances, throwing her arms around
+him as he lifted her up.
+
+"You stole a march on your old father this morning, all right," laughed
+her father. "Breakfast, indeed! Why, I never was so surprised in my
+life."
+
+[Illustration: "Why I never was so surprised in my life"]
+
+"Oh, Brother," said Mary Frances, kissing Billy; "you and Father sit
+down, and I'll bring in the coffee."
+
+She flew into the kitchen.
+
+Such a place! So thick with smoke and steam that all the Kitchen People
+were coughing.
+
+"Oh, dear! dear!" cried Mary Frances, the tears coming fast.
+"Everything's burnt up! Why, didn't you call me, Sillies? To sit here
+and let the toast burn up!"
+
+[Illustration: "Why didn't you call me, Sillies?"]
+
+"I--I _did_ call you," cried Coffee Pot, sputtering more coffee over on
+the stove, "but I couldn't make you hear."
+
+[Illustration: "I--I _did_ call you."]
+
+"Why didn't you call?" asked Mary Frances of Sauce Pan with a sob.
+
+"You told me not to speak until you spoke to me----"
+
+"I was asleep," interrupted Toaster.
+
+"Who are you talking to, Mary Frances?" asked her father. "Aren't you
+nearly ready?"
+
+"Sh--sh!" Warned Mary Frances, with uplifted finger--then aloud:
+
+"Oh, Father, I'm so disappointed! I had everything ready so nice and
+hot, and now everything's burnt up! Oh, de--ar, oh, oh, oh, de--ar!"
+
+"Never mind, Honey," said her father, kissing away her tears. "Never
+mind! There's no hurry this morning, I'll fix the fire and you do it all
+over again."
+
+"But I've wasted all the eggs--they're as hard as bricks--they cooked
+twenty minutes. I forgot them."
+
+"They'll be fine in our salad to-night," said Brother; "I love
+hard-boiled eggs that way."
+
+[Illustration: "They'll be fine in our salad."]
+
+"Brother, you run out in the garden," said her father, "Sister is going
+to have our breakfast ready in a very few minutes."
+
+"I'll do that," cried Billy, "and I'll have a fine appetite."
+
+When they went into the kitchen Mary Frances saw Sauce Pan whisper
+something to Coffee Pot, but her father didn't notice. He quickly fixed
+the fire.
+
+"Now, Father," begged Mary Frances, "please let me do it and I'll have
+everything on the table in no time."
+
+"Ho-ho! little Miss Housekeeper doesn't need any help. Very well!"
+
+[Illustration: Sauce Pan whispered something to Coffee Pot.]
+
+[Illustration: "It keeps me so sad."]
+
+"I did need help with the fire, Father," said Mary Frances; "it was a
+great help, but----"
+
+"All right, Girlie," said Father, "I'll read my paper; you call us when
+you're ready."
+
+In a very few minutes she did call them, and a fine breakfast it was,
+too; for Mary Frances knew _how_ so well that not a minute was wasted.
+
+"Ain't she the loveliest cook," whispered Coffee Pot to Sauce Pan, as
+Mary Frances disappeared through the dining room door with the eggs.
+
+"Loveliest ever!" said Sauce Pan. "I really was afraid to call her for
+fear her father would hear. I'm so sorry----"
+
+"Yes," nodded Toaster Man, "I can't seem to get it off my mind. It keeps
+me so sad--won't you tell us a story?"
+
+"I can't get it off my mind, either," said Sauce Pan, with a sob, "but
+I'll do my best. Here goes:
+
+    "Our little Miss sat down and cried,
+       And called her Sauce Pan to her,
+     'I feel so berry bad inside,
+       I wish you'd (h)eat some sugar.'"
+
+[Illustration: "I can't get it off my mind, either."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh, silly!" interrupted Toaster Man, "don't make fun,--besides, you
+know that's not true."
+
+"Well," replied Sauce Pan, "I thought you wanted a story!"
+
+"Pooh!" puffed Tea Kettle, "What a poor pun! I should think you'd all be
+tired out. Let's take a nap."
+
+"I just want to say I love our little Miss just the same," said Sauce
+Pan.
+
+"And I!"
+
+"And I!" cried all the Kitchen People.
+
+[Illustration: "A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA
+
+
+"OH, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah," yawned Tea Kettle next morning,
+stretching his funny little arms. "Oh, I say," he shouted, "Wake up!
+We've overslept. Wake up, everybody! Where's our little mistress, I
+wonder?"
+
+"Nice memory,--yours!" drawled Sauce Pan. "Don't you remember they all
+went over to Aunt Maria Hush's for dinner Saturday night, and for
+Sunday?"
+
+[Illustration: "I'd like to know why not"]
+
+"Aunt Maria Hush!" roared Tea Kettle. "That's not her name!"
+
+"I'd like to know why not," said Sauce Pan. "Every time I go to say
+anything when she's here, somebody says, 'Keep still--that's Aunt
+Maria,--Hush!"
+
+"Ho, ho, ho, hee-hee-hee!" laughed all the Kitchen People.
+
+"That meant, 'Be still,' Goosie," Tea Kettle explained.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When Aunt Maria and Mary Frances came into the kitchen later, the old
+lady was talking.
+
+"Very creditable, child," she said, looking at the shelves, all in
+order, "very creditable indeed. I can't understand it--with no one to
+show you how to----"
+
+"I have my little book," said Mary Frances.
+
+"_Book!_" sniffed Aunt Maria, putting the breakfast cereal on to cook.
+"_Book!_ A _book_ can't tell you exactly when a piece of toast is brown
+enough, or a potato just done enough to be mealy, nor how to keep a pan
+from burning. Book! It's talent! That's what it is! Blood will tell. You
+inherited it from me. I never burnt pans--never in my life--there's no
+excuse for it."
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, thinking of the ruined breakfast.
+
+"Go up, and open the beds to air," commanded Aunt Maria.
+
+When Mary Frances got back, she could scarcely see across the kitchen
+for smoke.
+
+"Fire!" screamed Aunt Maria, making for Boiler Pan on the stove.
+
+[Illustration: "Fire!" screamed Aunt Maria.]
+
+[Illustration: "BOOK!" SNIFFED AUNT MARIA, "BOOK!--IT'S TALENT!"]
+
+"I thought the house was on fire," she panted, snatching it up.
+"Oh,--oh, I wish I had my smelling salts! The porridge is all burnt up!
+What a disgrace!"
+
+Mary Frances felt very sorry for her, but when she saw Sauce Pan and
+Coffee Pot holding their queer little fists over their mouths to keep
+from laughing out, and when she remembered how funny the old lady looked
+making across the kitchen in two steps, she ran back into the dining
+room to laugh.
+
+[Illustration: She ran into the dining room to laugh]
+
+"I must stop," she'd say to herself--and the more she'd say it, the more
+she'd laugh. "This is dreadful, Mary Frances," she'd scold herself;
+"but, oh, my, wasn't it funny!"--and away she'd go again.
+
+At length she Went back upstairs until Aunt Maria called,
+
+    "Breakfast!"
+
+Even at the table she couldn't look at Aunt Maria without laughing.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Brother.
+
+"Oh, don't ask me!" Mary Frances begged, hiding her face.
+
+She didn't dare go into the kitchen until after her aunt had gone, for
+fear of disgracing herself laughing.
+
+[Illustration: To keep from laughing out.]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When she did go out to look up her next lesson in her little book,
+Boiler Pan walked dolefully up to her, holding out a piece of
+sand-paper.
+
+He looked so funny with a big black spot on one eye!
+
+Bowing, he began to recite:
+
+    "Of course, you never burn your pans,
+       Of course, no more do I;
+     But, should such sad things happen,
+       A piece of this just try."
+
+"I will!" exclaimed Mary Frances; and in less than a twinkle had rubbed
+all the burnt spots off.
+
+"My,--that's better; thank you," brightly beamed Boiler Pan.
+
+Mary Frances sat down on the rocking chair, and opened her book.
+
+"Tea! Omelet!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that nice!"
+
+Just then came a knock at the kitchen door.
+
+[Illustration: "I thought the house was on fire!" she panted.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE TRAMP
+
+
+MARY FRANCES peeped out of the open window. A tramp!
+
+"Oh, dear,--shall I open the door?" thought the frightened little girl.
+
+"Please, Miss,"--the oldest, hungriest-looking tramp she ever saw looked
+down at her, taking off his worn out cap. "Please, Miss--a cup o'
+tea--anything? I am that tired and faint."
+
+He caught hold the railing.
+
+"Tea!--my next lesson!" thought Mary Frances.
+
+"That's easy and quick! and Tea Kettle is just beginning to boil. How
+awfully cold and hungry the poor man looks!"
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances peeped out of the window]
+
+"Wait a minute," she called.
+
+"I almost know how to make tea,--but I'd better look at the recipe.
+Where'd I put my book? Oh, here it is,--open to the place," she spoke
+softly.
+
+[Illustration: "Please, Miss--a cup o' tea--anything?"]
+
+Then she read the directions for making
+
+      NO. 12.--TEA.
+
+      1. Half fill the teapot with boiling water. Let stand
+      until thoroughly hot. Pour out.
+
+      2. Put into it 1 teaspoon tea for each cup needed.
+
+      3. Pour in freshly boiling water, allowing 1 cup to
+      every teaspoon tea.
+
+      4. Let stand for 5 minutes in a very warm place, but
+      do not let it boil. Stir, and serve.
+
+      If not used immediately, strain into another heated
+      pot.
+
+Very soon she had filled the largest cup she could find in the closet,
+and handed it to the tramp.
+
+"That's the bonniest cup o' tea I've drank for mony a year, Miss," said
+he. "It tastes like the auld country, shure."
+
+[Illustration: Half fill the teapot with boiling water.]
+
+"Like the old country!" thought Mary Frances. "That's the funniest way
+for anything to taste I ever heard of. Maybe he's so hungry he's a
+little bit out of his head. Oh, I know what I'll do! I'll make an omelet
+for him! I don't believe he's eaten omelet since--maybe, since he was as
+little as I am--maybe a hundred years. He looks a hundred years old, I'm
+sure. I hope I have eggs to make one--oh, yes, I know there are enough.
+Where's the recipe? Oh, here it is!"
+
+[Illustration: The largest cup she could find.]
+
+      NO. 13.--OMELET.
+
+      Two eggs to each person.
+
+      1. Separate yolks and whites, putting them into
+      different bowls.
+
+      2. Add dash of salt to whites, and dash of salt and
+      white pepper to yolks.
+
+      3. Add cold water to whites, allowing 1 teaspoon to
+      each.
+
+      4. Add cold water to yolks, allowing 1 tablespoon to
+      each.
+
+      5. Beat both very light.
+
+      6. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a smooth frying pan.
+
+      7. Pour in yolks. Let cook a moment.
+
+      8. Spread whites over yolks, making a little hole in
+      the center for steam to escape.
+
+      9. Cook slowly for 5 minutes, or until the puffed up
+      whites look dry.
+
+      10. Fold one half over the other.
+
+      11. Turn out on a warm platter.
+
+      12. Trim with parsley and serve at once.
+
+[Illustration: Separate yolks and whites.]
+
+"That's not so easy," thought the little girl, "but I guess I can manage
+it--he'll not be very par-tic-u-lar."
+
+But she had very little trouble; for she read what her mother had
+written; and followed each direction exactly, all the way through the
+recipe.
+
+[Illustration: The omelet.]
+
+[Illustration: "Blessin's on ye, Little Miss," said the tramp.]
+
+"Blessin's on ye, Miss," said the tramp, as Mary Frances carried the
+smoking dish out on the porch to him with a slice of bread and butter.
+"You've got a kind heart, you 'ave, to be shure. Ain't that--whatever it
+is--a beauty!"
+
+"It is real pretty," said Mary Frances, feeling quite proud. "I just
+made it for you. I'm learning to cook. My mother's away--and I'm here
+all alone just now except for Jubey and the Kitchen F---- (she caught
+herself just in time). Jubey is the kitten, you know. My lessons just
+came to Omelet, and--why, what's the matter with it?" she cried,
+dismayed. "It's all fallen flat! I wonder if I got it done. It gets
+flatter and flatter."
+
+The tears sprang to her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she said.
+
+[Illustration: "Why, what's the matter with it?"]
+
+"Oh, never mind, Miss," said the tramp; "I ain't been chooser for mony a
+day--and this 'ere homelet, or whatever it is, will be all right, all
+right,"--and he hungrily began to eat.
+
+"It seems to be made out o' nothin'--and yet it is powerful good," said
+he between bites, as it fast disappeared, much to Mary Frances' delight.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, never mind, Miss."]
+
+"It's made out of beaten eggs," said she. "First, you take the eggs and
+break the shells, and put the yolks in one bowl and the----"
+
+"Why, Miss, I know what made it flounder."
+
+"Flounder? Flounder? 'Flat as a flounder,'" thought Mary Frances--"he
+means flatten."
+
+"What?" she asked eagerly.
+
+"Why, the breeze! The cool air plays the----"
+
+    "Mary Frances!"
+                "Mary Frances!"
+                            "Mary Frances!"
+
+[Illustration: "Be gone!"]
+
+Her father came into the kitchen.
+
+"Who's there? Why, my dear little girl, what are you doing?"
+
+"I'm--I've got company," Mary Frances stammered, not liking to say
+tramp. "That is--I--oh, Father, this gentleman was so hungry--and I----"
+
+"Go into the house--and I shall see you."
+
+"Be gone!" thundered her father to the tramp, pointing to the gate.
+
+"Begging pardon, sir," said the tramp, touching his cap, "but may I say
+one word?"
+
+"Make it short."
+
+[Illustration: "May I say one word?"]
+
+"I'd do anything for the young lady--not let a 'air o' 'er 'ead be 'urt.
+Please don't be too 'ard on 'er."
+
+"You may go," said Mary Frances' father. "Are you hungry yet?"
+
+"Oh, no, sir,--thank you, sir," said the tramp. "Thanks to 'er."
+
+"Bless 'er little 'eart," her father heard him murmuring, as he went out
+the gate.
+
+"Bless her dear, loving little heart!" echoed her father.
+
+"The poor dear 'lamb' should not have been left alone! I thought Billy
+was here. But she must have her lesson!"
+
+Going into the kitchen, he took Mary Frances on his knee.
+
+"Dear," he began gravely, "suppose the old tramp had not had kind
+thoughts. Suppose, when my little girl opened the door, he had hurt her,
+and had taken mother's nice things, or had stolen our dear little
+daughter----"
+
+[Illustration: "Are you hungry yet?"]
+
+[Illustration: "Dear," he began gravely.]
+
+"But, Father," said Mary Frances, "he was a lovely gentleman! I feel
+quite sure he was going to tell me a beautiful story about when he was
+little--maybe a hundred years ago----"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Mary Frances, listen, child! Never, when you are alone, unlock the door
+to any man or woman you do not know. Understand?"
+
+"Yes, Father," said Mary Frances; "I didn't mean to be bad."
+
+"No, dear; but it would be very naughty indeed for you to do so again.
+Do you promise?"
+
+"Yes, Father, said Mary Frances, hiding her face" on his shoulder. "I'll
+never, never do it again, dear Father."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Humph!" grumbled Aunty Rolling Pin, after they had gone into the
+library, "I'd have warned her--only I was afraid the tramp gentleman
+might hear!"
+
+"So would we all of us," cried the rest of the Kitchen People.
+
+[Illustration: "It tastes like the auld country, shure."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+COMPANY TO LUNCH
+
+
+MARY FRANCES listened at the kitchen door before going in next morning.
+She wanted to find out what the Kitchen People might be doing.
+
+"It isn't exactly eavesdropping," she thought, "although it seems
+awfully near to it."
+
+"Can't you find it?" somebody was asking.
+
+"Seems to be having trouble," said Tea Pot. "Of course, he can't very
+well find out--being so short and fat, and having no nose to speak of."
+
+"Well, Nosey," answered Coffee Pot, "suppose you try--your nose is long
+enough to poke into anything!"
+
+"So much the better for me this time, Pug Nose."
+
+"Oh, say, stop calling names, and find out--if you can," cried Big Iron
+Pot.
+
+"I'll bet it's my turn again!" interrupted Sauce Pan. "Now, see if I'm
+not right."
+
+"He's peeped already," declared Coffee Pot.
+
+"'Deed, I haven't," very earnestly.
+
+[Illustration: "Pug Nose." "Well, Nosey."]
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, say, stop calling names."]
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, yes, here it is."]
+
+"Oh, say, Tea Pot, if you're any good, get to work! See if he's right.
+Can you do it?"
+
+"Yes," replied Tea Pot rather breathlessly. (It seemed to Mary Frances
+as if he were lifting a heavy weight.) "Yes, here is the place. Somebody
+else read; I'm too tired."
+
+"I'll read," said Sauce Pan. "What was the last? Oh, yes, here it is,
+just as I said!"
+
+"Oh, go 'way! Don't let him read," said Coffee Pot; "he'll make it up."
+
+"Read yourself, then, Pug Nose!"
+
+Then Coffee Pot's voice:
+
+"I declare! He's right! It is his turn again. Listen!
+
+      NO. 14.--WHITE SAUCE.
+
+    2 tablespoons butter
+    2 tablespoons flour
+    1 cup hot milk
+    ¼ teaspoon salt
+    dash of pepper
+
+      1. Melt butter in a sauce pan.
+
+      2. Mix pepper and salt with flour.
+
+      3. Throw into the butter, stirring thoroughly. Cook
+      until it bubbles a little.
+
+      4. Pour 1/3 of the milk very slowly on this, stirring
+      and beating well.
+
+      5. Place over fire and stir in the rest of the milk a
+      little at a time.
+
+      6. Let boil a minute.
+
+[Illustration: "I declare! He's right!"]
+
+"Pug Nose----"
+
+"Stop calling names," said Iron Pot.
+
+("Good!" thought Mary Frances.)
+
+"Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire," said Sauce Pan, mockingly. (Mary
+Frances could easily imagine him bowing.) "Allow me to call your
+attention to the un-im-peach-able ver-ac-i-ty of myself."
+
+"Crazier and crazier!" commented Coffee Pot, sadly. "Did you say
+anything?"
+
+"Sir," said Sauce Pan, "to put it into kindergarten words, I remarked,
+Sauce Pan, meaning myself, has rightly been likened to George
+Washington----"
+
+[Illustration: "Likened to George Washington"]
+
+"Aw--!" puffed Tea Kettle, "what I'm more interested in is the book.
+What do they use White Sauce for?"
+
+"There's a foot-note," Tea Pot ventured.
+
+"Read it!" commanded Tea Kettle.
+
+"'White Sauce is very good to pour over cooked vegetables, like----'"
+
+"Wait a minute," interrupted Tea Kettle, "perhaps Sauce Pan can tell
+us."
+
+[Illustration: "Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire"]
+
+"New boiled potatoes, green cabbage, etc; also nice to use for warming
+over cooked meats, like cold chicken and canned salmon. Both make a
+nice luncheon dish."
+
+("Fine!" thought Mary Frances. "There's a can of salmon in the pantry.")
+
+"Is that right?" asked Tea Kettle.
+
+"Right," said Tea Pot. "Next is
+
+      NO. 15.--BAKED APPLES.
+
+      1. Wipe large apples.
+
+      2. Take out cores with apple corer or sharp knife.
+
+      3. Place in earthen or enamel dish.
+
+      4. Fill center of each apple with sugar.
+
+      5. Pour water into dish, allowing 2 tablespoons to
+      each apple.
+
+      6. Bake in a hot oven one half hour, or until soft.
+
+[Illustration: Take out cores.]
+
+"A joyful surprise!" a deep voice seemed to come from the closet.
+
+"Who's that?" asked Tea Kettle. "Oh, it's Baking Dish!--you startled
+me!"
+
+"Although I'm not paid proper respect for my years----" went on the deep
+voice.
+
+"How old are you, now, anyway?" asked Tea Kettle.
+
+[Illustration: "A joyful surprise!"]
+
+    "I've been told I'm very old--
+       My grandsire was a Tory--
+     Often bought and often sold,
+       But that's another story."
+
+"What an honor!" snickered Sauce Pan.
+
+"How rude!" said Coffee Pot.
+
+"No, child," came the deep voice of Baking Dish, "only modern--without
+reverence for the old and----"
+
+"One--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight--nine--ten--eleven!"
+struck in Mantel Clock, very loudly.
+
+"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Mary Frances to herself, "it's time to
+commence lunch. I do thank Mantel Clock for reminding me.
+
+[Illustration: Struck in Mantel Clock very Loudly.]
+
+"Let me see," said she, going into the kitchen as if she had just come
+downstairs, although she felt very guilty. "I must find to-day's
+lesson."
+
+She read quietly for some time, pretending not to notice that she found
+the book open with the spout of Tea Pot lying against one of the pages.
+
+[Illustration: Lying against one of the pages.]
+
+"I can make White Sauce in a jiffy, and I'll heat some canned salmon in
+it," she exclaimed, picking up Sauce Pan quite carelessly. "He needs a
+lesson, and I don't need his help," she thought. "I'll treat him quite
+in-dif-fer-ent-ly."
+
+"The salmon ought to have been opened an hour or two ago," said a sharp
+little voice.
+
+Mary Frances looked around to see who her new helper could be, but could
+discover no one.
+
+"How do you know?" she asked, more to find out who was speaking than to
+gain information.
+
+"Who'd know better?" came the little voice, so sharp it was little more
+than a squeak. "I'm Can Opener!"
+
+[Illustration: "Who'd know better?"]
+
+"Oh, so you are!" cried Mary Frances, spying him. "I'm glad to see you.
+Now, why open the salmon an hour ago?"
+
+"All canned goods ought to be opened an hour or two before needed, and
+turned out," explained Can Opener, "to get well aired."
+
+"Thank you," said Mary Frances, "I'll open the salmon right away--then
+see to the apples--then the White Sauce."
+
+[Illustration: The apples]
+
+She had only just finished the White Sauce, when the door-bell rang. She
+stopped to take the Baked Apples out of the oven, before answering. It
+was Billy with Robert and Eleanor who lived down the street.
+
+"Hello, Sister," said Billy, "I told you I'd bring company home to lunch
+some day. Anything ready?"
+
+"By good luck, Billy, yes," said Mary Frances, kissing Eleanor, and
+taking her coat and hat, while Billy did the same for Robert.
+
+"I know now why Mother likes Father to telephone when he's bringing home
+company to dinner," laughed Mary Frances.
+
+"Oh, don't you worry, folks," said Billy, "everything'll be all right."
+
+"That's the highest compliment a boy can pay, Mary Frances, you know,"
+said Eleanor.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish I could cook," she sighed, when Mary Frances dished the dessert
+of Baked Apples, and the three praised everything on the table.
+
+"I wish you could, Sis," exclaimed Robert.
+
+"Maybe some day I'll teach you some of the things I can make," said Mary
+Frances.
+
+"Oh, Mary Frances, will you?" cried Eleanor.
+
+"If your mother says so," nodded Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: It was Billy with Robert]
+
+[Illustration: and Eleanor.]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I know she will," declared Eleanor. "She hates to cook, but she'll let
+me learn. She never goes into the kitchen if she can help it. And no
+wonder. Our kitchen is an awful place to go into, Maggie is so cross.
+She wouldn't let me try."
+
+"Pity the poor Kitchen People," thought Mary Frances.
+
+"Oh, we'll have fun!" she said aloud.
+
+"When will you want me to come?" Eleanor asked.
+
+"Some time, when I get near the end of my book, I'll let you know."
+
+"Won't that be lovely! I'll bring my own bowl and spoon."
+
+[Illustration: "I'll read," said Sauce Pan. "What was the last?"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A PATENT DISH-WASHING
+
+
+"OH, my!" sighed Mary Frances, gazing at the great pile of dirty dishes
+on the kitchen table, where she had carried them after the company had
+gone. "Oh, my, cooking is fun--but washing dishes is another thing. I'm
+'most tired enough to drop,--and there must be a hundred dishes to do!
+I'm glad Tea Kettle is full of hot water."
+
+"Bubble! Bubble! Piff! Piff!" puffed Tea Kettle, mys-ter-i-ous-ly
+smiling as though he knew something was about to happen.
+
+Mary Frances couldn't see anything very pleasing with so much of a task
+before her.
+
+She put the large dish pan on the table and poured in the water,
+whirling the soap around in it several times to make it a little sudsy.
+
+Then she sat down to rest.
+
+"Really, I didn't know I was so tired," she thought; "maybe my age is
+telling on me the way Aunt Maria says!"
+
+[Illustration: "Bubble! Bubble! Piff! Piff!"]
+
+Her weary little head began to nod, and she was soon fast asleep. She
+hadn't been asleep long before she was aroused by a great racket.
+
+"Click, clack! Click-ety-clack! Splash!"
+
+"Come," she said to herself, rather sharply, "I do believe you've been
+asleep, Mary Frances! You'd better get to work, child."
+
+"Click! Clack!"
+
+Again came the sound.
+
+With her sleepy lids half open she glanced toward the table, and such a
+sight she never saw! She sat up with mouth and eyes wide open, but
+nobody paid any attention to her.
+
+There were the dishes jumping higgledy-piggledy, pell-mell into the dish
+pan.
+
+First a cup, followed by a saucer, then a spoon, followed by a fork.
+
+"Make room for me," cried Platter, diving in head first.
+
+"Look out, or you'll chip me," cried Tea Cup, tumbling out on the other
+side of the pan.
+
+"I'm next!" a big dinner plate splashed in "kerplunk."
+
+[Illustration: "Click, clack! Click-ety-clack! Splash!"]
+
+Mary Frances couldn't say a word--she was so afraid they might break
+their heads.
+
+"Ouw! this is hot!" screamed Little Pitcher.
+
+All the other Kitchen People were looking on and laughing. Aunty Rolling
+Pin was rocking to and fro, laughing so hard the tears were rolling down
+her cheeks.
+
+When Yellow Bowl bounced into the water, "Chase yourself!" cried Soup
+Ladle, making hard after.
+
+In less time than it takes to tell, the dishes were all clean, and had
+piled themselves up neatly on the table.
+
+Then Mary Frances realized what had happened.
+
+"That was a patent dish-washing," she said. "I don't want you to do that
+often. I was afraid my mother's china would be broken all to pieces! But
+I am very much obliged, this time, I'm sure."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: There were the dishes jumping higgledy-piggledy,
+pell-mell into the dish pan.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THIMBLE BISCUITS
+
+
+MARY FRANCES carried all her dolls to the window seat in her room, and
+placed them in a row. Then she held up an envelope.
+
+"Misses Angelina, Marie, Cosette, Lady Gay, Peg, Master Alfonso, why,
+listen! Here's a letter come for you. What can it be? Pay very strict
+'tention while I read it. If you'd gone to school every day I've been so
+busy, perhaps you could read it yourselves; but, of course, when my
+hands are so full, I can't possibly get you off, and you are so
+helpless. Aren't you 'shamed? I think--yes, I think you all look ashamed
+except Peg. If you don't look ashamed in one minute, Peg,--just one
+minute I'll give you,--you sha'n't hear this! There, that will do! You
+needn't cry, dear child! Now, I'll read."
+
+Mary Frances cut open the envelope.
+
+Every doll looked deeply interested except poor Peg who had fallen on
+her side. "Why, it's an invitation to a Dolls' Party! Listen!"
+
+[Illustration: "It's an invitation to a Dolls' Party."]
+
+[Illustration: Poor Peg, who had fallen on her side.]
+
+[Illustration:
+
+    My dear Dollies:
+
+             May I have the pleasure
+    of your company at a
+          Doll's Kitchen Party
+    this afternoon at three o'clock?
+
+                    Your loving
+                (Mistress) Mary Frances.
+
+    P.S. Anyone coming late will be fined
+    a pink riblon. In case she has'nt
+    a pink riblon her hair will be
+    pulled.
+
+                      M. F.]
+
+[Illustration: "Of course you'll wear your dress suit."]
+
+"Now, dears," Mary Frances smiled upon them, "no wonder you look
+surprised; for that's a grand invitation, all written out on real paper.
+I had an awful time getting it to sound right. I'm not sure that it is
+just exactly correct yet. So we'll get dressed right away. Now don't all
+ask at once what you'll wear. Yes, Fonsey, of course you'll wear your
+dress suit. What of it if it isn't proper to wear it until after six
+o'clock? You have only your work clothes and that suit and you'll have
+to wear your best."
+
+Everybody was quiet and good as gold while Mary Frances finished
+dressing them.
+
+"There," she said to herself, "the last sash is tied. Goodness, I'm
+tired--tired-er than if I'd been cooking the whole morning! Aren't dolls
+stupid compared with Kitchen Folks? I do wonder what the Kitchen Folks
+will do. Will they talk before them?"
+
+[Illustration: Looking very anxious and excited.]
+
+"Now, you dolls, be good, and take a nap," she warned, "so that you
+won't be sleepy at the party. I must go and get ready."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As she tied on her apron in the kitchen, she noticed Aunty Rolling Pin
+looked very anxious and excited. She couldn't seem to keep still, but
+kept rolling to and fro, watching Mary Frances' every motion.
+
+"Well, Aunty Rolling Pin?" said Mary Frances.
+
+"Did you, or did you not, please," asked Aunty Rolling Pin, "mention
+'Biscuits' this morning?"
+
+"I guess I did," replied Mary Frances, "when I glanced at my book. Here,
+I'll read it out:
+
+[Illustration: ½ cup milk]
+
+      NO. 16.--THIMBLE BISCUITS.
+
+      (Nice for Dolls' Tea Party.)
+
+    1 cup flour
+    2 teaspoons baking powder
+    1 tablespoon butter
+    ½ cup milk (scant)
+    ¼ teaspoon salt
+
+      1. A hot oven and a greased pan.
+
+      2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt three times.
+
+      3. Rub butter lightly into the flour.
+
+      4. Pour the milk on gradually, mixing all the while
+      with a knife, until a soft dough is formed.
+
+      (Perhaps not all the milk will be needed.)
+
+      5. Turn the dough on a well-floured board.
+
+      6. Pat it with the rolling pin until ¼ inch thick.
+
+      7. Use a large thimble as a cutter, and cut biscuits
+      as close to each other as possible.
+
+      8. Place in pan a little distance apart.
+
+      9. Bake about 5 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: "Did you mention 'Biscuits' this morning?"]
+
+      NO. 17.--BAKING POWDER BISCUITS.
+
+      1. Make exactly the same as Thimble Biscuits (No. 16),
+      only pat the dough out about three-quarters of an inch
+      thick. Prick with a fork.
+
+      2. Cut with a biscuit cutter, and place in pan, a
+      little distance apart.
+
+      3. Bake in a quick oven from 12 to 14 minutes.
+
+"Ever make any biscuits, child?"
+
+"No, Aunty Rolling Pin, but I believe I can with your help, if you'll be
+so kind."
+
+"'Deed I will, child." Aunty Rolling Pin gave a delighted chuckle. "I've
+been waiting patiently for the chance."
+
+[Illustration: "'Deed I will, child."]
+
+"I'm going to give a Dolls' Kitchen Party, Aunty."
+
+"Ah, I'm glad you told me, child; that makes everything more important
+than ever. So, as you gather together the things you'll need, you can
+listen--ahem!--to Aunty Rolling Pin's Wisdom."
+
+"You know about 'most everything!" said Mary Frances. "I'd be much
+obliged to you for any other hints during the rest of my lessons."
+
+"I'll be glad to help, child," said Aunty.
+
+[Illustration: Baking Powder Biscuits.]
+
+"Mother expected to explain everything to me, you see----"
+
+"Yes, yes, child," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin, seeing Mary Frances looked
+sad; "but I see you have sifted the flour and baking powder and salt
+into a bowl and poured it back. Instead of using a bowl, it's a good
+idea to use a piece of heavy paper. When this is folded funnel-like, the
+flour can readily be poured into the sifter again and again."
+
+"That certainly is easier," said Mary Frances, putting the hint to
+practice.
+
+[Illustration: "Poured into the sifter again and again"]
+
+"In order to get the baking powder into every bit of the flour, they
+should be sifted together three times. Now, I see you are working the
+butter into the flour. Rub lightly with your finger tips. That's
+it--pour the milk gradually, mix well--the dough should be almost
+sticky, but not too soft to handle. Now it's my turn," she chuckled, as
+Mary Frances turned the dough on a well-floured board. "But if you are
+going to make Thimble Biscuits, one half of the dough is enough to pat
+out for them----"
+
+"And I can make the rest into real biscuits! What a splendid idea!" said
+Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: Turned the dough on a well-floured board.]
+
+"Wonder if the handles are her ears," she thought, softly patting the
+dough with Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+As she bent over, she caught the sound of singing, and this is the song
+Aunty Rolling Pin sang:
+
+    "Roly-poly, roly-poly,
+       To and fro,
+     Roly-poly, roly poly,
+       O'er the dough.
+     Round as an apple,
+       Straight as a rule;
+     Guess who I am
+       Or I'll send you to ----
+
+[Illustration: As she bent over she caught the sound of singing.]
+
+"Where?" she asked suddenly stopping.
+
+Mary Frances jumped. She had been rolling Aunty Rolling Pin to and fro,
+unconsciously keeping time with her song.
+
+"Where?" she again demanded, her mouth full of flour.
+
+"Dear me," answered Mary Frances, "I don't know."
+
+"School, of course," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin; "I thought you'd surely
+know."
+
+[Illustration: "Roly-poly, roly-poly, to and fro."]
+
+"Oh, yes, of course," laughed Mary Frances; "Cooking School."
+
+"Certainly, child," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin. "To what other school
+could you go to learn about me?"
+
+"That's beautiful poetry," said Mary Frances.
+
+"I think so," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin; "I made it up myself. It's so
+_floury_, you know," blowing the white dust in the air.
+
+[Illustration: "Tee-hee," giggled Mary Frances.]
+
+"Tee-hee," giggled Mary Frances.
+
+Aunty Rolling Pin looked offended.
+
+"Excuse me," said Mary Frances, "you mean 'flowery.'"
+
+"I mean what I say," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "isn't that what I said?"
+
+As it certainly was what she said, and Mary Frances didn't like to
+explain, she hastily turned to her work.
+
+It didn't take long to cut the biscuits, as she had often helped her
+mother in baking. She knew how to dip the cutter each time into flour,
+that the dough might not stick. She used the large thimble she had
+brought down from the sewing room in the same way as she had used the
+biscuit cutter.
+
+[Illustration: "It didn't take long to cut the biscuits."]
+
+"Aren't they too sweet!" she cried delightedly, as she laid the tiny
+biscuits side by side, but not touching, in the little baking pan. With
+the rest of the dough, she had made three larger ones. "One for each of
+the family," she said, slipping them with the Thimble Biscuits into the
+oven.
+
+"Let me see what's next. Oh, yes, the cocoa. I do declare, it's little
+Sauce Pan's turn again. No wonder he's puffed up," she thought.
+"Strange, he hasn't said a word. I'm 'most sure I have to use Sauce Pan.
+Perhaps he doesn't understand. I'll read aloud:
+
+      NO. 18.--COCOA.
+
+      For each cup:
+
+    1 tablespoon cocoa
+    1 tablespoon sugar
+    ½ cup boiling water
+    ½ cup milk
+
+      1. Heat milk.
+
+      2. Mix cocoa and sugar.
+
+      3. Pour boiling water on them gradually, making a
+      smooth paste.
+
+      4. Add the milk, and cook a half minute.
+
+      5. Beat with an egg beater.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, yes, the cocoa."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Silence.
+
+[Illustration: "Don't bother me."]
+
+"Sauce Pan!" one of the Kitchen People near him whispered loudly,
+"Sauce Pan! Why don't you speak?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Don't bother me. I'm asleep," muttered Sauce Pan drowsily, "sound
+asleep!"
+
+Mary Frances gasped.
+
+"What 'n awful story!" exclaimed the one who had first spoken.
+
+"You're not very polite to question my word to my very face," Sauce Pan
+retorted angrily. "Now, if someone else had told you, that would have
+been different; then you'd had some excuse."
+
+"Come," thought Mary Frances, "that's too silly! I'll put an end to
+this. I don't need any help with this simple recipe."
+
+Seizing Sauce Pan quite carelessly, she quickly made the cocoa.
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances carried all her dolls to the window seat in
+her room.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE DOLLS' KITCHEN PARTY
+
+
+"NOW, everything is ready," she said, glancing carefully at the table
+she had set with her little dishes; "I'll go up and bring the dolls.
+Wait a minute, Mary Frances," she added after a moment's pause. "Let's
+see if everything is ready. There's
+
+    Thimble Biscuits
+    Jam           Cocoa
+
+"Better look in the oven!"
+
+[Illustration: "Better look in the oven!"]
+
+"Oh, my, I'm glad you 'thought me,' Aunty Rolling Pin," cried Mary
+Frances, opening the oven door.
+
+"Oh, dear me! Most of the Thimble Biscuits are burnt up and the big ones
+are just done, I guess!"
+
+"The thicker things are, the 'slower' the oven, child. The thinner, the
+hotter the oven----"
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, dear me!"]
+
+"Aunty Rolling Pin," cried Mary Frances, not realizing she had
+interrupted, "there are enough Thimble Biscuits not burnt to go 'round.
+Isn't that good? And the dolls can't make themselves sick with them."
+
+"It's not much of a waste," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin, "and (seeming to
+be seriously thinking) the dolls can't make themselves sick on
+them--eating too many, I suppose."
+
+[Illustration: "You see it's like this"]
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "you see, it's like this:
+
+    "When I my dolls invite to tea,
+     It is a pretty sight to see
+     The things one seldom gets to eat
+     All on the table spread, so sweet;
+     But to my dollies I explain,
+     Don't eat too much--you'll have a pain.
+
+    "Then, just to save them such a trial,
+     I let them sit and look a while
+     At cakes, and tarts, and candies, too.
+     Then eat them up myself--wouldn't you?
+     For thus they're saved from being ill,
+     And I, likewise, a doctor's bill.
+     But--just between you, dear, and me--
+     They couldn't eat at all, you see."
+
+[Illustration: "Dolls can't make themselves sick."]
+
+[Illustration: THE DOLL'S KITCHEN PARTY]
+
+And away ran Mary Frances to bring the dolls.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"It was a lovely Tea Party, wasn't it, Angie?" sighed Mary Frances,
+putting her family to bed after it was all over.
+
+[Illustration: After it was all over.]
+
+"And you did 'behave a credit' to your mother. I feel sure now you will
+remember all I've taught you. Not one of you would eat soup from the
+point of a spoon, nor spread a whole slice of bread at once, nor leave
+your spoon in your cup, which is a great comfort to a mother. Only Peg,
+you poor child, you should not have spilled that cocoa down your best
+dress. But 'Children will be children,' I 'spose--and you're very dear
+children."
+
+("I wouldn't have them, for the world, jealous of the Kitchen
+People--and I've neglected them shamefully of late.")
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I'm not much taken with those things called 'dolls,' Aunty Rolling
+Pin," said Sauce Pan, seating himself on the edge of the top
+closet-shelf, and crossing one leg over his knee. "They're not much
+use."
+
+[Illustration: "They're not much use."]
+
+"Ah," sighed Aunty Rolling Pin, looking wise, "a doll's a doll, for all
+that."
+
+[Illustration: "A doll's no good boiled!"]
+
+"Of course," said Sauce Pan, "but a doll's no good boiled!"
+
+"Well, no," admitted Aunty Rolling Pin, "the best, of course, are
+_baked_ of
+
+      NO. 19.--GINGERBREAD COOKIES.
+
+    ½ cup molasses
+    2 tablespoons butter
+    2 tablespoons lard flour
+    ½ tablespoon ginger
+    ½ teaspoon salt
+    ½ teaspoon baking soda
+    1 tablespoon warm water
+
+      1. Warm the molasses.
+
+      2. Put the butter and lard in a bowl. Pour over them
+      the molasses.
+
+      3. Dissolve soda in the warm water. Add to the
+      molasses.
+
+      4. Sift ginger, salt and ½ cup flour together.
+
+      5. Sift into the molasses, beating well. If necessary,
+      add more flour to make a soft dough.
+
+      6. Grease a shallow pan.
+
+      7. Roll the dough out 1/3 inch thick.
+
+      8. Cut out with a little round cutter, dipping it into
+      flour each time.
+
+      Place cookies some distance apart on the pan. Bake
+      about 10 minutes.
+
+      NOTE.--Instead of rolling out, little spoonfuls may be
+      dropped far apart on the pan and flattened with the
+      bottom of a round tin cup.
+
+[Illustration: "The best, of course, are _baked_."]
+
+"Then you----
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh, Aunty Rolling Pin, nobody's doing a lesson. Besides, after it's
+baked it's done!" cried Sauce Pan impatiently.
+
+"So'm I!" smiled Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+[Illustration: "It was a lovely Tea Party, wasn't it Angie?"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE SICK NEIGHBOR
+
+
+"MARY ANN HOOPER is very ailing," said Aunt Maria at the lunch table.
+She had invited the children over to lunch that day. "She needs
+nourishment more than anything else, I should say. That cook she has
+can't make a decent thing. No wonder she's weak!"
+
+[Illustration: "Mary Ann Hooper is very ailing."]
+
+"If only," thought Mary Frances, "if only I could cook something for
+her! Wait until I look in my book. I wonder if she could eat to-day's
+lesson."
+
+She laughed aloud--that seemed so funny.
+
+"Well," snapped Aunt Maria, "of all things; to laugh at a poor sick
+neighbor in such a pre-dic-a-ment."
+
+Mary Frances blushed, but she didn't say anything.
+
+After lunch, she started home as soon as possible.
+
+Once in the house, she ran to the kitchen for her book.
+
+"Of all things! As Aunt Maria would say," she cried, "it comes next!"
+
+[Illustration: "Of all things!"]
+
+      NO. 20.--SOFT CUSTARD.
+
+    1 cup milk
+    1 egg
+    2 tablespoons sugar
+    dash of salt
+    nutmeg
+
+      1. Heat the milk smoking hot.
+
+      2. Beat egg. Add sugar and salt.
+
+      3. Pour the hot milk on, beating well.
+
+      4. Pour into upper part of double boiler, or set pan
+      in boiling water.
+
+      5. Cook until it thickens, or until a coating will be
+      formed on a clean spoon when dipped into the custard.
+
+      6. Sprinkle with a few gratings of nutmeg.
+
+      7. Serve cold.
+
+[Illustration: Soft Custard]
+
+"How perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Mary Frances; "I'll make soft custard
+for Mary Ann Hooper. But that isn't very much. Oh, isn't this too good?
+I can serve it on the next recipe. It's
+
+      NO. 21.--STEAMED RICE.
+
+    ½ cup rice
+    2 cups boiling water
+    ½ teaspoon salt
+
+      1. Wash rice. This may be easily done by putting in a
+      strainer and shaking in a pan of cold water.
+
+      2. Put with the salt and boiling water, into the upper
+      part of a double boiler.
+
+      3. Pour boiling water into lower part, and cook 1
+      hour.
+
+[Illustration: Steamed rice]
+
+      4. To test whether it is done, press several grains
+      between the fingers. If not perfectly soft, cook
+      longer.
+
+      5. If it becomes hard and dry, add a little boiling
+      water from time to time.
+
+      6. A few raisins are sometimes cooked with the rice.
+      Add these during the last fifteen minutes of cooking
+      to prevent discoloring.
+
+      7. Serve with soft custard or cream and sugar. Plain
+      cooked rice may be served as a vegetable.
+
+[Illustration: Drain through a colander.]
+
+      NO. 22.--BOILED RICE.
+
+      Use a plain boiler and a large quantity of salted
+      boiling water.
+
+    ½ cup rice
+    5 cups boiling water
+    ½ teaspoon salt
+
+      1. Wash rice by putting it in a strainer and shaking
+      in a pan of water.
+
+      2. Drop a few grains at a time into boiling water,
+      stirring well to prevent sticking.
+
+      3. Boil rapidly 25 minutes, or until soft when pressed
+      between the fingers.
+
+      4. Drain through a colander. Pour over it 2 cups
+      boiling water.
+
+      5. Set in a warm place to dry off, until ready to
+      serve.
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances, putting the rice on to boil, "I'll make both.
+Oh, won't Mary Ann Hooper be pleased!"
+
+[Illustration: Use a plain boiler.]
+
+"Who's that?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "A new kind of cooking pan?"
+
+"No, no, Aunty Rolling Pin," laughed Mary Frances; "she's an old lady
+who is sick. Aunt Maria told me about her at lunch. She's such a funny
+old lady."
+
+"It isn't funny to be ill," said Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+"No," answered Mary Frances, seriously, "but I meant she does such funny
+things: Last summer, she told Elvin Phelps if he didn't keep his bees
+from stealing honey out of her flowers, she'd shoot them--she (oh,
+dear!)--wanted--him--to tie each one--by his hind leg--to
+keep--them--home--oh, dear," laughed Mary Frances.
+
+"What did he do?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, anxiously.
+
+"He told her (excuse my laughing--but it's so funny!) he would
+rather--put a 'No Trespassing' sign up in her garden for them to read!
+Ho-ho! Tee-hee." Mary Frances shook with laughter.
+
+Silence in the kitchen until Mary Frances felt a tug at her tug at her
+dress.
+
+Looking down, she spied Toaster Man.
+
+[Illustration: "A sign for them to read"]
+
+[Illustration: She spied Toaster Man.]
+
+"Yes, you may speak," she smiled.
+
+"Thank you,--I don't like to suggest, but a Dropped Egg on Toast
+would----"
+
+"Be grand!" finished Mary Frances. "I'm sure I saw that recipe; yes,
+this is it!"
+
+      NO. 23.--POACHED EGGS.
+
+      1. Put a pint (2 cups) boiling water into a shallow
+      pan. Add ½ teaspoon salt.
+
+      2. Break egg in a saucer.
+
+      3. Whirl the water 'round and 'round with a spoon, and
+      draw pan back on stove where it will simmer, but not
+      boil hard.
+
+      4. Slip the egg into the whirling water.
+
+      5. Cook until the white is coated over the top.
+
+      6. Serve on toast.
+
+      NOTE.--It is best to cook only one egg at a time.
+
+[Illustration: "Ready!"]
+
+"Ready!" hummed Tea Kettle.
+
+"Ready!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, and Mary Frances poured the hot water.
+
+"Ready!" cried Toaster Man, and Mary Frances made the toast.
+
+"Oh!" cried the little girl suddenly, her fingers crushing through the
+eggshell, "what a shame!"
+
+[Illustration: "Ready!" "Ready!"]
+
+"A sharp rap with a knife and a quick pull with the thumbs," somebody
+said.
+
+"Thank you," smiled Mary Frances, too busy to discover who was her
+helper.
+
+Very soon she had lifted the poached egg with Per-for-at-ed Skimmer on
+the piece of toast.
+
+When she had arranged the tray, she brought it out for the Kitchen
+People to see.
+
+She had used her mother's daintiest china plates, and had scattered
+violets here and there over the cloth.
+
+"Beau-ti-ful!" they exclaimed in one voice, as though that was all that
+could be said; but this is what Mary Frances heard as she closed the
+door:
+
+"Wish I could eat," sighed Toaster Man.
+
+"I know Jube'll want some of that," he added after a moment. "That cat
+can eat any time of day! I envy her appetite."
+
+"Humph!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, "Jube won't get any of that. This time
+Jube'll get
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: A GREAT BIG ROUND PIECE O' NOTHING!]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A MAN'S LUNCH
+
+
+"MOTHER writes that she is so glad you are giving Billy such good
+lunches," said Father, looking up from his letter. "I've been waiting a
+long time for an invitation to lunch, little daughter. Do you know, I'll
+be quite jealous of Billy if my turn doesn't come soon!"
+
+"Oh, Father," Mary Frances begged, "won't you come to-morrow? I didn't
+think you could get away from the store,--and I don't know so very much
+to cook."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Mary Frances, I'll be most happy to lunch with you
+to-morrow," said Father, in a real so-ci-e-ty tone.
+
+[Illustration: "Thank you, Miss Mary Frances."]
+
+When Mary Frances went into the kitchen next morning, she said:
+
+"I guess I'll make the dessert first; rice pudding is good cold."
+
+[Illustration: "It is ex-cel-lent cold."]
+
+"It is ex-cel-lent cold," spoke the deep voice of Baking Dish,
+"es-pec-i-ally if made by
+
+      NO. 24.--RICE PUDDING.
+
+    3 tablespoons rice
+    ¼ cup sugar
+    1/8 teaspoon salt
+    sprinkling nutmeg
+    4 cups milk, or 3 cups milk and 1 cup water
+
+      1. Pick over the rice, and wash by putting in a
+      strainer and shaking in a pan of water.
+
+      2. Butter the baking dish.
+
+      3. Stir rice, sugar and salt into the milk.
+
+      4. Pour into the baking dish.
+
+      5. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
+
+      6. Cover with a lid, and bake slowly 2 hours.
+
+      7. Uncover and brown ½ hour.
+
+      NOTE.--Seeded raisins may be added before browning. If
+      desired, a thin narrow shaving of the outside rind of
+      a lemon may be used as flavoring. Put this in the milk
+      with the rice.
+
+"Why, thank you, Baking Dish," exclaimed Mary Frances. "Will you kindly
+say it over slowly? I'll do it then, keeping time with your directions."
+
+This he did, and as Mary Frances slipped him into the oven, "I'm sure
+this will be good," he said; "I can always tell."
+
+[Illustration: "I'm sure this will be good"]
+
+"I'm very glad," said Mary Frances, gratefully.
+
+"Now for the Boiled Mutton," she said. "I guess, Iron Pot, you can tell
+me about that."
+
+[Illustration: Slipped him into the oven.]
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Iron Pot, importantly climbing from the shelf, and
+eying critically the piece of meat Mary Frances had placed on the table.
+
+"That's a pretty nice cut of meat--pretty nice. It will be all right to
+cook it as I will tell you. But, really, mutton is less greasy if it is
+boiled long enough before needed to let the gravy cool. Take off the
+cake of fat which will form on the top when cold. Of course, take the
+meat out as soon as it is tender, and after 'skimming' the gravy, put it
+in again to re-heat."
+
+"I haven't time!" said Mary Frances, anxiously.
+
+"You can put yours in a bowl, and stand the bowl in ice water to cool
+the liquor quickly, and do the same thing that way, now----"
+
+"You give the recipe?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+Iron Pot looked pleased, and began:
+
+      NO. 25.--BOILED MUTTON.
+
+      About 3 pounds rack of mutton or "yearling."
+
+      1. Wipe with a damp cloth.
+
+      2. Pour 3 cups boiling water into a large pot.
+
+      3. Throw in 2 peeled onions.
+
+      4. Put in the meat. Cover.
+
+      5. Boil 10 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: Stand the bowl in ice water.]
+
+[Illustration: Iron Pot looked pleased.]
+
+
+      6. Draw pot to back of stove where it will simmer, or
+      just bubble, until meat is tender when tried with a
+      fork, which will be in about 1½ hours.
+
+      7. Take out the meat.
+
+      8. Skim off the fat from the surface of the liquor; or
+      if there is time, cool, and remove the hardened fat.
+
+"Correct!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, bending over Mary Frances' book. "And
+the gravy is made----"
+
+"Saucy!" began Iron Pot, in a boiling rage; but he suddenly stopped, as
+Mary Frances shook her finger at him.
+
+[Illustration: "Saucy!"]
+
+"It's all right this time," she said.
+
+"It is your place, Sauce Pan----"
+
+"It is my place," said Sauce Pan, trying not to let Iron Pot see how
+pleased he was to tell about
+
+      NO. 26.--SAUCE OR GRAVY FOR BOILED MUTTON.
+
+      1. After cooling and skimming off the fat, measure the
+      water in which the meat was boiled.
+
+      2. To each cupful, allow
+
+      1 tablespoon flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon
+      vinegar.
+
+      3. Moisten these with a little cold water.
+
+      4. Stir them into the boiling gravy.
+
+      5. Add 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley.
+
+[Illustration: "Correct!" exclaimed Sauce Pan.]
+
+"Thank you both, my friends," said Mary Frances, lifting Iron Pot.
+
+"My, but you're heavy!"
+
+"'Tis true," said Iron Pot, sadly, "all my old-fashioned friends, like
+Iron Tea Kettle--glancing toward the new Tea Kettle--and Caldron, are
+gone. But," he added, brightening up, "it has been proved that for
+boiling meats, no modern 'light-weights' could 'do them up so brown!'"
+
+"We'll prove it again," laughed Mary Frances. "I do believe I'll have a
+splendid lunch for Father--a regular big man's lunch. Listen!
+
+    Boiled Mutton    Parsley Sauce
+          Boiled Potatoes
+    Rice Pudding    Coffee
+
+[Illustration: "A splendid lunch for Father."]
+
+"And now I'll set the table! I think I'll use the very best silver, and
+the prettiest dishes--it will please father, I know."
+
+This is the way Mary Frances set the table for her father and Billy's
+lunch. Mary Frances sat in her mother's place.
+
+[Illustration: "My, but you're heavy!"]
+
+[Illustration:
+
+1. Fork
+
+2. Knife
+
+3. Spoon
+
+4. Tumbler
+
+5. Butter "pattie"
+
+6. Napkin
+
+7. Platter for boiled Mutton
+
+8. Vegetable Dish for Potatoes
+
+9. Holder for Rice Pudding Dish
+
+10. Tray for Coffee Pot, and cups, Saucers, sugar bowl and cream pitcher
+
+11. Flowers
+
+12. Salt and pepper shakers
+
+A. Father's Place
+
+B. Billy's Place
+
+C. Mary Frances' Place]
+
+Just as Mary Frances was finishing getting the lunch, the 'phone bell
+rang and Billy answered.
+
+This is what Mary Frances heard:
+
+"Hello!"
+
+--------
+
+"Yes!"
+
+--------
+
+"Too bad, Father, can't you?"
+
+--------
+
+"Well, I'll tell her, but I hate to, awfully. She's been hard at work
+all the morning."
+
+--------
+
+"I?--Oh, I attended to the fire for her, then went upstairs to make
+those drawings."
+
+--------
+
+"Oh, yes; I'll look after her, all right."
+
+--------
+
+"Yes, she is--a regular 'brick!'"
+
+--------
+
+"All right. Good-bye!"
+
+--------
+
+"Sis!"
+
+[Illustration: "Hello!"]
+
+"I know, Billy," Mary Frances sobbed. "I know!--Father can't come, and
+everything is ready. Oh, dear! Oh, oh,--de--ar!"
+
+"Oh, I say, Sister," said Billy; "I'll pretend I'm Father--won't that
+do? And--oh, yes! I'll show you how to fold a napkin into 'Cinderella's
+slipper!'"
+
+"Where did you learn how?" Mary Frances began to dry her tears.
+
+    "Not on land, and not on sea
+    Did this knowledge come to me.
+    When I learned, I had on my hat--
+    Where was I? Now, riddle me that?
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    No, lady fair, not up in the air--
+    On a boat in the river."
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, dear! Oh, oh,--de--ar!"]
+
+"Silly Billy!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Please show me the trick now,
+will you?"
+
+"Yes," said Billy, "and then I'll eat Father's share, as well as mine,
+of a very 'grand' lunch--if my nose isn't deceiving me."
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "that will help some; but please fold the
+napkin."
+
+And Billy showed her this:
+
+[Illustration: "I'll show you how to fold a napkin."]
+
+[Illustration:
+
+1. Fold napkin twice, making it fourfold. Make crease through the
+center, as shown in =Figure I=
+
+2. Fold each end along _dotted_ line in =Figure I= over to center
+crease. Then the napkin will be in the form of =Figure II=
+
+3. Fold napkin again along _dotted_ line in =Figure II= over to center.
+Then it will look like =Figure III=
+
+4. Fold the napkin together along center crease, bring one side exactly
+over the other. Then the napkin will look like =Figure IV=
+
+5. Fold one side along _dotted_ line in =Figure IV=, turning end
+_under_, and bringing it up as shown in =Figure V=
+
+6. Fold along _dotted_ line in =Figure V=, bringing point "a" _over_ to
+meet letter "b". Then the napkin will look like =Figure VI=
+
+7. Tuck the end =A= into opening A-B, folding along dotted line in
+=Figure VI=, and stand slipper as in =Figure VII=. Fold back and spread
+open the top, into which slip candy or flowers]
+
+Mary Frances was so pleased with the Cinderella's slipper that she
+folded all the napkins on the lunch table.
+
+"Looks like a hotel table," said Billy.
+
+"Well, Billy," said Mary Frances, "I know fancy folded napkins aren't so
+nice for home--but you don't mind."
+
+"Indeed, no," said Billy; "I feel proud."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+While they were at lunch there came a knock and a boy from the store
+handed in a box of candy and a little note addressed to
+
+      _Miss Mary Frances._
+
+[Illustration: A box of candy and a little note]
+
+"Ahem," said Billy, as Mary Frances opened the box, and offered him some
+candy "since Father couldn't come, he sent a sweet guest in his place."
+
+"It isn't very nice to eat up your guest," laughed Mary Frances.
+
+"Mary Frances," asked Billy, "what's better than a cream chocolate?"
+
+"Two cream chocolates, I guess," said Mary Frances, passing the
+box--"but, Billy, listen:
+
+[Illustration: "What's better than a cream chocolate?"]
+
+"Dear Miss Mary Frances:
+
+"My little girls disappointment in not having her father to lunch today
+can scarcely equal his.
+
+"A very wicked man came on business from a long distance and prevented
+me from being.
+
+                                              "Hungrily yours,
+                                                            "Father
+
+"P.S.--Please accept candy with my love.
+
+    "The third of September."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+POOR BLUE PITCHER
+
+
+"WHY," said Mary Frances, looking over her book next morning at the
+breakfast table, "to-day's lesson is so easy I think it would be just
+the time to invite Eleanor over for her cooking lesson.
+
+[Illustration: Pare and slice]
+
+"I do wonder whether the Kitchen People will talk and help us--or
+whether they can help but one person. It would be pretty hard without
+their help; but let me read the recipe again:
+
+      NO. 27.--APPLE SNOW.
+
+      1. Pare and slice apples, dropping into cold water.
+
+      2. Cook slowly until soft.
+
+      3. Mash well and measure.
+
+      4. To every cupful, allow
+
+    ¼ cup powdered sugar,
+    white of 1 egg, well beaten.
+
+      5. Add a spoonful of each to apples until used,
+      stirring in lightly each time.
+
+      6. Add 1 drop vanilla for each cup of apples.
+
+      7. Serve with cream.
+
+[Illustration: Apple Snow]
+
+"I guess I'll go ask the Kitchen People about it right away!"
+
+But some one was talking.
+
+"Wonder what little Mistress will cook to-day."
+
+"I'll see if they know," said Mary Frances to herself.
+
+"It's hard to remember so far ahead," complained Coffee Pot. "I wish it
+was my turn all the time."
+
+"Oh, you have more chance than most of us, except Tea Kettle," exclaimed
+Sauce Pan. "I expect, though, most of us will be used a lot
+now,"--airily.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Oh, I read a poem about it, which proves----"
+
+"Say it!" interrupted several Kitchen People. ("What fun!" thought Mary
+Frances. "I'll try to remember it.")
+
+[Illustration: Complained Coffee Pot.]
+
+[Illustration: Beginning to recite.]
+
+"All right!" said Sauce Pan, proudly, beginning to recite:
+
+    "'The good old times are back, they say;
+     Now, people eat six times a day.
+     Nothing they eat is quite so good
+     As victuals, eatables and food.
+     They'll eat 'em cooked, they'll eat 'em raw,
+     While they have teeth with which to chaw.'"
+
+"Beautiful!" exclaimed the Kitchen People.
+
+"If that isn't too silly for anything in the world!"
+
+It was a new voice. Mary Frances peeped out. Big Blue Pitcher was near
+the edge of the shelf.
+
+"It's perfectly true, though," re-tort-ed Sauce Pan, angrily.
+
+"There! There!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, soothingly; "don't get so
+excited! Of course it's true."
+
+"You bet it's true and I can prove----"
+
+"Oh, my ear!" cried Blue Pitcher, toppling dangerously near the edge of
+the shelf. "Prove it! Prove it! You can't!--you conceited id-i-o-ti-cal
+old Sauce Pan! I dare you!"
+
+[Illustration: Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge]
+
+Over he went--Crash!!!--broken into pieces.
+
+"He's dead," exclaimed the excited Kitchen People, and began to wring
+their funny little hands, and to cry
+
+    "Oh, why did-de-die?
+    "Oh, why did-de-die?
+    "Oh, why did-de-die? did-de-die-die-die?"
+
+[Illustration: Over he went--Crash!!!]
+
+They kept up this chant until Mary Frances stepped out into the kitchen.
+
+"Why _did_-de-die?" demanded Mary Frances, but not a word was answered.
+
+"What will Mother say?" she said, sweeping up the broken pieces of poor
+Blue Pitcher. "Won't she be sorry!"
+
+"Yes, she will!" said Sauce Pan; "but it was his own fault! I think
+Jubey'll be sorrier! She thought Blue Pitcher one of her best friends.
+They were very con-fi-dent-ial. Only yesterday I heard her telling him
+that always after eating a hearty meal for which she had no appetite,
+she felt hungry."
+
+"What did Blue Pitcher say?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+"Never paid any 'tention--just said: 'Humph, Jubey, I know where a lot
+of cat-tails grow!'
+
+"'You do, do you?' said Jubey. 'I'd like to know.'
+
+"'On little kittens!' said Blue Pitcher."
+
+The Kitchen People laughed.
+
+"Bet Sauce Pan made that all up," whispered Coffee Pot.
+
+"No," said Sauce Pan, overhearing, "I--I don't tell _tails_!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+MARY FRANCES GIVES A COOKING LESSON
+
+
+"COME!" said Mary Frances. "This is enough nonsense for one day.
+
+"Now, Kitchen People, I promised to give a friend of mine a cooking
+lesson. If I bring her now, can you help us,--as you generally do me?"
+
+"No, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, smiling; "but perhaps you have
+learned by this time pretty nearly well enough to do an easy lesson
+without our help. We can't talk before other people, you know. Perhaps
+the little girl's own Kitchen People will help her some time."
+
+[Illustration: "You can get along nicely"]
+
+"Well, it's a very easy lesson, I think.--'Apple Snow,' she added. And
+'a promise 's a promise!'"
+
+"Yes," interrupted Sauce Pan, "you can get along nicely with that
+recipe."
+
+[Illustration: The little girls had a lovely time.]
+
+"Perhaps I can," said Mary Frances, happily. "I'll go over for Eleanor
+now."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The little girls had a lovely time doing just as Mary Frances' mother
+had written in the recipe. The Kitchen People watched out of the corners
+of their eyes, but never said a word.
+
+"Oh, isn't this good," sighed Eleanor, eating the light, delicious
+dessert. Then, "Mary Frances, I know; I'm going to ask my mother for a
+cook book! I wonder if you'll let me borrow yours some time to show
+her."
+
+"Of course!" laughed Mary Frances.
+
+Just then there was a ring at the door-bell.
+
+In came Aunt Maria with a mysterious looking bundle.
+
+"Why, my dear, you have company, I see," said the old lady with a smile.
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Eleanor, "Mary Frances has been giving me a cooking
+lesson."
+
+Mary Frances shook her head and put her finger to her mouth, but Eleanor
+didn't understand.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, isn't this good."]
+
+"A cooking lesson!" exclaimed Aunt Maria. "A cooking lesson! Mary
+Frances! A cooking lesson!"
+
+Then she began to laugh.
+
+[Illustration: Then she began to laugh.]
+
+"Oh, my dear!" she said. "I'm so happy I'm crying. Silly old me!" and
+she wiped the tears from her spectacles.
+
+"Mary Frances, dear," she said, at length, "I heard about the lovely
+things you made Mary Ann Hooper; and I found out, too, by wheedlin' it
+out of her, about the cooking lessons--and here's a surprise for you,"
+and she handed the bundle to the little girl.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Maria!" cried Mary Frances unwrapping it. "Look, Eleanor!--a
+little cap and apron!"
+
+"To wear at your cooking lessons," fluttered Aunt Maria.
+
+"How dear and lovely!" (Trying them on.) "Look, Eleanor, they just fit!"
+
+"You're the happiest girl in the world!" sighed Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: A little cap]
+
+"I should be, if Mother were really well," said Mary Frances; "but she's
+much better, and is coming home soon. Aunt Maria," she added,--"oh, I
+want you to share the secret! I'm doing all the lessons she had written
+out for me in my cook book--to surprise her when she comes home!"
+
+"Good!" said Aunt Maria. "I'll tell you!--you can get dinner ready the
+day she comes!"
+
+[Illustration: and apron.]
+
+"Wouldn't that be perfectly lovely!" said Mary Frances.
+
+Then, suddenly thinking,--
+
+"Oh, Aunt Maria, excuse me, please! Won't you have some of our
+lesson?--Some of the Apple Snow we made for our lesson, I mean?"
+
+"I'd ap-pre-ci-ate the kindness," said the old lady a little stiffly, as
+though a bit ashamed of her softness a moment ago. But after tasting the
+treat, she said:
+
+"It's the most beautiful snow I ever saw, little girls,--even more
+beautiful than that on which I, so many years ago, used to pull a sled."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Look, Eleanor, they just fit!"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE PICNIC
+
+
+"CAN'T guess where I'm going to-day," laughed Mary Frances, coming into
+the kitchen next morning.
+
+"To the circus?" guessed Sauce Pan.
+
+Mary Frances shook her head.
+
+"Not to-day."
+
+"To the fair?" guessed Coffee Pot.
+
+"No!"
+
+"To the Zo-ol-og-ic-al Garden," guessed Sauce Pan, again, beginning to
+recite:
+
+    "'The Pan-Cans went to the Zoo,
+      It long had been their wish
+    To see the Baking Panimals
+      With the wildly Chafing Dish.'"
+
+[Illustration: "To the circus?"]
+
+"Wrong!" laughed Mary Frances. "All wrong!--Perhaps this will help you
+guess"--opening the cook book.
+
+[Illustration: "Wrong! All wrong!"]
+
+      NO. 28.--STUFFED EGGS.
+
+      1. Hard-boil eggs.
+
+      2. Drop into cold water. Remove shells.
+
+      3. Cut each in half lengthwise.
+
+      4. Turn out yolks into a bowl.
+
+      5. Carefully place whites together in pairs.
+
+      6. Mash yolks with back of a spoon.
+
+      7. For every 6 yolks, put into the bowl
+
+    1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
+    ½ teaspoon mustard (the kind prepared for table)
+    ½ teaspoon salt
+    dash cayenne pepper
+
+      8. Rub these together thoroughly with the yolks.
+
+      9. Make little balls of this paste, the size of the
+      yolks.
+
+      10. Fit one ball into each pair whites.
+
+      NOTE.--If used for table, serve with White Sauce
+      poured around them. If used for picnic, wrap waxed
+      paper around each until needed.
+
+[Illustration: Stuffed Eggs.]
+
+"It's a picnic! It's a picnic!" cried the Kitchen People.
+
+"Yes!" explained Mary Frances, "that's it! Aunt Maria is giving me a
+picnic to 'celebrate my ambition,' she says--whatever that means.
+Anyhow, Father's coming. He's going to make up for the lunch he couldn't
+come to. I'm so happy!"
+
+[Illustration: "It's a picnic!"]
+
+"So'm I! Goody! Goody! I'm all ready!"
+
+Mary Frances turned.
+
+"If it isn't Basket!" she cried. "I had no idea you----"
+
+"That I wanted to go?" asked Basket proudly. "My family are the most
+important 'picnickers' at any picnic! We always go!"
+
+"Well, to be sure!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Here, wait--these eggs will
+be ready in a minute!"
+
+"Tuck the napkin in carefully, please," said Basket. "I won't spill them
+out. Anything else?"
+
+"No," said Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria said I could bring just one
+thing--and to surprise everybody; so I have not told anyone what I am
+going to bring. I wonder if----"
+
+[Illustration: "I--want--to--go!"]
+
+But her thought was cut short by Coffee Pot's crying excitedly: "I want
+to go! I want to go! I--want--to--go! go! go! go! I want to
+go--go--go--go!--go--go!"
+
+"Oh, you can't go!" said Sauce Pan. "Why--you!--you'd--you--you'd----"
+
+[Illustration: "Goody! Goody! I'm all ready!"]
+
+"That will do," said Mary Frances. "I'll take you, Coffee Pot. Maybe
+Aunt Maria's little coffee pot won't be large enough for all of the
+picnic. Eleanor and Bob are going with us!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Coffee Pot looked tri-umph-ant-ly at Sauce Pan, but seemed too happy to
+say anything.
+
+"Good-bye, Kitchen People," said Mary Frances, "I wish I could take you
+all."
+
+"Good-bye," cried the Kitchen People; "hope you'll have a lovely time!"
+
+"I'd be scared," said Sauce Pan, glancing at Coffee Pot. "Who knows
+what's in the woods?" And as Mary Frances closed the door, he was
+singing:
+
+    "'If polar bears were everywheres,
+       And leopards came to tea,
+     And fearful bats and gnawing gnats
+       All came to eat with me,
+       And giant snakes ate all the cakes,
+     What a "picnic" that would be!'"
+
+                 "Boo!!!"
+
+[Illustration: "I'll take you, Coffee Pot."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE CANDY PULL
+
+
+"GET scared at the 'Pic-wick,'--I mean 'Picnic,'--Coffey," teased Sauce
+Pan next morning.
+
+"Nope," said Coffee Pot, "the 'airing' did me good. I feel lots
+clearer."
+
+[Illustration: Teased Sauce Pan]
+
+"Tell us about it?"
+
+"Oh, I'm not good at story telling! The Aunt told about the funniest
+recipe she knew,--called 'Merry Land Biscuits,' I think. Anyhow, she
+said to 'beat 'em twenty minutes with an axe!'"
+
+"That's a kitchen person I never heard of," said Tea Kettle.
+
+"Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin,
+anxiously.
+
+"Yes, and she talked about Mary Frances' de-vel-op-ment of
+char-ac-ter--whatever that is. It seemed to have something to do with
+cooking, for at the same time, she told about the things our little Miss
+had made, and seemed so proud.
+
+[Illustration: "Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?"]
+
+"'May I see your book, my dear?' she asked Mary Frances (for our little
+mistress had the book tucked under her arm). 'How far are you?' And when
+Mary Frances showed her:
+
+"'Candy!' she exclaimed, 'Why, to-morrow, my dear (she never used to
+call her my dear), you can have a Candy Pull--only,' she laughed, 'it
+isn't the kind that is pulled.'
+
+"'Oh, Aunt Maria,' said Mary Frances, 'that's the loveliest thought--the
+Candy Pull, I mean.'"
+
+"Humph," said Sauce Pan, "I don't think so! That means we can't help
+her."
+
+"Oh, no, it doesn't," said Aunty Rolling Pin. "We can help her a great
+deal by just doing our part. Don't you see? She doesn't need us as she
+used to."
+
+[Illustration: "Candy!" she exclaimed]
+
+"I 'spose we ought to be glad," said Sauce Pan.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Now, Eleanor," said Mary Frances that evening, "Father and the boys
+aren't invited until after the candy is made."
+
+"Where are they now--do you know?" asked Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: "We can help her a great deal"]
+
+"Father and Aunt Maria are in the library, and the boys are up in
+Billy's den! So we'll read the recipes over first thing, and get started
+soon as possible."
+
+"Do read them, Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "I'm so anxious--I'm just
+'crazy' to learn how to make them."
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "the first is 'Pickaninny Fudge!' Isn't that
+just like Mother!--to call Chocolate Fudge that cute name!"
+
+"Hurry, Mary Frances; do read it," cried Eleanor, delighted.
+
+Mary Frances read:
+
+      NO. 29.--PICKANINNY FUDGE.
+
+    2 cups sugar
+    1 cup milk
+    2 tablespoons butter
+    4 squares chocolate (4 ounces)
+    5 drops vanilla
+
+      1. Put sugar, milk, chocolate and butter together in a
+      pan.
+
+      2. Boil until a few drops harden when dropped into
+      cold water.
+
+      3. Butter a platter.
+
+      4. Add Vanilla to candy and stir while it cools.
+
+      5. Cut into squares with a buttered knife while still
+      soft.
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances read]
+
+"That just makes my 'mouth water,' Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "If the
+next is as good as that----!"
+
+"It is!" declared Mary Frances. "Listen!
+
+[Illustration: "Hurry; do read it."]
+
+      NO. 30.--WALNUT KISSES.
+
+    1 cup brown sugar
+    ½ cup granulated sugar
+    ¼ cup cold water
+    white 1 egg
+
+      1. Boil sugars and water together until a few drops
+      harden when dropped into cold water.
+
+      2. Beat white of egg stiff.
+
+      3. Pour the sugar syrup very slowly upon the white of
+      egg, beating all the time.
+
+      4. Butter a platter.
+
+      5. Drop by tablespoonfuls on the platter.
+
+      6. Put a half walnut on each little mound or "kiss."
+
+[Illustration: Walnut Kisses.]
+
+"These are 'grand,'" said Mary Frances. "Mother made some just before
+she was ill."
+
+"But have you the walnuts?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"Yes," explained Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria saw these recipes yesterday
+at the picnic, and she brought over a lot of walnuts ready for us. If
+she hadn't, I'd never have thought of them, I guess."
+
+"Now--to work! You can make the Walnut Kisses--if you like."
+
+"If you'll explain it all to me," said Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: "Now--to work!"]
+
+"Of course I will," said Mary Frances; "but you see, Mother has written
+out every single action just as you do it,--that makes it so easy. See
+if you can do it alone--try."
+
+"I'd love to," said Eleanor.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The little girls worked pretty quietly until they were ready to pour out
+the candy.
+
+"How are you getting along, children?" inquired Aunt Maria at the door.
+
+"Oh, Aunty, I'm so glad you came" said Mary Frances; "we were just a
+little afraid--without help."
+
+"Yes, I see," said Aunt Maria; "you might easily be burned. This is
+perfect so far. Now----" and she showed the children how to pour out the
+candy.
+
+("Almost as well as the Kitchen People could," thought Mary Frances.)
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Walnut Kisses," said her father, kissing Mary Frances good-night, "are
+next best to real kisses, which, although they are made of nothing----"
+
+"Oh, Fudge!" exclaimed Billy, and everybody laughed.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: They were ready to pour out the candy.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+GETTING READY FOR A PARTY
+
+
+"HOW time flies!"
+
+Mary Frances tied on her new apron and put on her pretty little cap.
+
+"Fly time is nearly gone," said Sauce Pan, "and--school time is almost
+here," he added, seeing Mary Frances didn't seem to notice.
+
+[Illustration: Put on her pretty little cap.]
+
+"Yes," she said, "but before school time, there's a grand good
+time--Mother comes home to-morrow!"
+
+"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle. "So soon?"
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "it doesn't seem soon when I think of it
+without my cooking lessons--but when I think I'm nearly through the
+book----"
+
+"What's to-day's lesson?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "I'm so anxious you
+do get through!"
+
+"Thank you, Aunty Rolling Pin, I must tell you. I'm going to give a Tea
+Party!"
+
+"A Tea Party!" exclaimed Tea Pot, clapping his lid up and down. "Oh,
+lovely!"
+
+[Illustration: "A Tea Party!"]
+
+"Oh, this is a Tea Party without tea," said Mary Frances. "We're going
+to have two kinds of cake,--and cocoa!"
+
+Then, seeing how disappointed Tea Pot looked:
+
+"Oh, I will have tea, too. Aunt Maria without tea! That will never do!"
+
+"Now for the next recipe:
+
+      NO. 31.--SPONGE CAKE.
+
+    2 eggs
+    1 cup sugar
+    1/3 cup boiling water
+    ½ teaspoon vanilla (or lemon extract)
+    1 cup flour
+    1½ teaspoon baking powder
+    dash of salt
+
+      1. Separate yolks of eggs and beat in a large bowl.
+
+      2. Add gradually half the sugar, stirring well.
+
+      3. Add the boiling water slowly.
+
+      4. Add remaining sugar, and the flavoring.
+
+      5. Sift together twice flour, baking powder and salt.
+
+      6. Sift by small quantities into the mixture, beating
+      well each time.
+
+      7. Beat whites of eggs and fold them into the cake.
+
+      8. Grease pan. Toss around in it ¼ cup flour. Throw
+      out. This prevents sticking.
+
+      9. Pour in the cake.
+
+      10. Bake in a moderate oven about 35 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: "Aunt Maria without tea!"]
+
+[Illustration: "Humph!"]
+
+"Humph!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that's all right, but it doesn't give
+you much idea how the oven should be."
+
+"No," explained Mary Frances, "I 'spose Mother intended to show me about
+that."
+
+"Of course, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that was it. Now, I'll tell
+you all about cake----"
+
+[Illustration: "I'll tell you all about cake."]
+
+"What's that!" a queer, muffled voice.
+
+Mary Frances started in surprise.
+
+A great com-mo-tion inside the pantry, and the sound of many little
+voices! Then she made out the words:
+
+"Get out of my way! Here, you, step aside!" (Then a little shriek or two
+followed by the sound of falling tins.) "Oh, you knocked my nose. There!
+that makes the fiftieth dent! No wonder I look old and worn out. Can't
+you wait a minute?"
+
+At length there came a pounding on the door, and a high little voice--or
+was it two voices?
+
+"Let me out! Oh, I say, please let us out!"
+
+"Mercy!" thought Mary Frances, "I hope there isn't going to be any
+trouble." And she cautiously opened the pantry door a little way. The
+two Cake Tins pushed their way out.
+
+[Illustration: The two Cake Tins.]
+
+"Oh, thank you!" they said, breathlessly, in chorus (looking at each
+other all the while as though they'd learned and rehearsed every word).
+"I thought I'd never get out to help! I've listened through the door to
+every lesson, just hoping my turn would come. There I was back of the
+other pots and pans, and when I heard 'Cake' I just jumped!"
+
+"As I had just started to say"--Aunty Rolling Pin began.
+
+"What do you know about cakes!" cried the Cake Tins, angrily. "If
+everybody'd just mind his own cooking--who ever rolls cakes?"
+
+"Well, I know about cookies," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "and besides, I
+know about most things,--I belonged to a real cooking teacher!"
+
+[Illustration: "Prove it!"]
+
+"Prove it!" cried the Cake Tins.
+
+"I will," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "here's part of a lecture the teacher
+used to give:
+
+[Illustration: "What do you know about cakes?"]
+
+"Now, ladies, you can see the ex-ceed-ing-ly good texture of this cake,
+as I drop it from the spoon. The nu-tri-tive value of the ut-il-ized
+com-po-si-tion is unequaled, except in rare cases of cul-in-ary
+e-con-om-y. For instance, the proteids, the car-bon-a-ce-ous
+contrib-u-tions plus the con-di-ments, afford an instance of
+un-u-su-al strength-giving power. The in-ex-cus-a-ble prod-i-gal-i-ty of
+the A-mer-i-can house-wife----'"
+
+[Illustration: "I'll make the sponge cake first," said Mary Frances.]
+
+"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle, "for pity's sake, stop it!"
+
+"Humph!" said Square Cake Tin, "I don't see that that proves you know
+anything about cake. Now I'll explain:
+
+"There are really only two kinds of cake in general:
+
+"1. Cakes without butter, or some form of sponge cakes.
+
+"2. Cakes with butter, or plain cakes.
+
+"More important than the mixing of the cake is the baking.
+
+"Have a rather low fire, which will grad-u-al-ly increase in heat
+without adding more fuel.
+
+[Illustration: "Now I'll explain."]
+
+"Rules:
+
+"Thin cakes require a hotter oven than larger ones.
+
+"Molasses cakes will burn easily, so require a cooler oven than others.
+
+"Sponge cakes require a 'slower' oven than butter cakes.
+
+[Illustration: "Whew! for pity's sake, stop it!"]
+
+"Cake is done when it shrinks from the sides of a pan, or when a straw
+comes out dry. You know the way, don't you?"
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances. "My, what a lot you do know!"
+
+"Now, read the next recipe, please. The butter kind," said Mary Frances;
+whereat the Cake Tins looked pleased.
+
+[Illustration: The Cake Tins looked pleased.]
+
+      NO. 32.--DREAM CAKE.
+
+    4 tablespoons butter
+    1 cup sugar
+    2 eggs
+    ½ cup milk
+    1¼ cups flour
+    2 teaspoons baking powder
+    1/8 teaspoon ground mace
+    dash of salt
+    1 teaspoon vanilla
+
+      1. Put butter in a bowl; add sugar. "Cream" or rub
+      thoroughly together.
+
+      2. Beat yolks of eggs. Add to butter and sugar,
+      stirring well.
+
+      3. Mix and sift twice flour, baking powder, mace and
+      salt.
+
+      4. Add one-third of the milk to the yolks, butter and
+      sugar.
+
+      5. Sift in one-third of the flour. Do this until all
+      the milk and flour are used, beating well each time.
+
+      6. Add vanilla. Beat well.
+
+      7. Beat white of eggs light. Fold them into the cake.
+
+      8. Grease shallow pan as in No. 31. Pour in the cake.
+
+      9. Bake in moderate oven about 35 minutes, or until it
+      shrinks from the pan.
+
+[Illustration: "Now, read the next recipe."]
+
+"We'll both be used!" exclaimed the Cake Pans, joyously. "I told you so!
+I told you!" they cried at each other as though having an argument.
+
+"Come," said Mary Frances, "less talking. We must get to work."
+
+"Look at the oven first," said the Cake Pans, as Mary Frances started to
+break the eggs.
+
+"Is it right?" asked the little girl, lifting them up to see.
+
+"Yes," they said, "it will be just right when we are ready."
+
+"All the ma-ter-i-als you'll need ready?" asked Round Cake Tin after a
+minute.
+
+"Yes," looking over the table, "I see--everything. Good!"
+
+[Illustration: "We must get to work."]
+
+"I brought the butter into the warm room an hour ago," said Mary
+Frances, "so that it would be softened by the time I needed it. I'll
+make the sponge cake first, as the oven will be cooler then."
+
+[Illustration: "We'll both be used!"]
+
+"Right!" cried the Cake Tins; "but when you open the oven door, be
+careful to do so gently, as any jarring will break the 'gas bubbles'
+very easily, doing much more harm toward making the cake heavy than the
+air; in fact, if the door is opened carefully, and not too soon, it does
+no harm."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+With the Cake Tins' help, a warm and tired, but very happy little girl
+brought two golden brown fragrant cakes to the table one-half hour
+before lunch time.
+
+"Turn us on our sides," panted the Cake Tins, "to let us cool off
+quickly and evenly. My, but it was warm in there!"
+
+"How beautiful the cakes look!" said Mary Frances, doing as she was
+told.
+
+"Why not take a taste?" Square Cake Tin asked.
+
+"Oh, it's just before lunch time," said Mary Frances, "and would spoil
+my ap-pe-tite. Mother doesn't allow me----"
+
+"Just one sweet mouthful?" tempted Cake Tin.
+
+"It seems so good. I guess I will--just this once," and cutting a piece,
+she ate it.
+
+"Oh," she cried, "my beautiful cake! Look, it's sinking down in the
+middle!" The tears came to her eyes.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, I'm so, so sorry"]
+
+"Oh, I'm so, so sorry," said Cake Tin, "I was too excited and proud!"
+
+[Illustration: One-half hour before lunch time.]
+
+"Why didn't you tell me," Mary Frances asked, "that a fresh cake, if
+cut, would 'fall?'"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh," said Cake Tin, "I meant to be so helpful. I'll try never to be too
+proud again."
+
+[Illustration: "Is it right?" asked the little girl, lifting them up to
+see.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE TEA PARTY
+
+
+MARY FRANCES didn't eat much lunch.
+
+"What's the matter, child?" asked Aunt Maria, anxiously. "'Homesick' for
+Mother?--or was to-day's lesson too hard?"
+
+Then Mary Frances told of cutting and eating the fresh cake. "And, Aunt
+Maria," she said, the tears flowing down her cheeks, "it went down!
+
+    down!
+           down!
+
+until I was afraid it would rise out of the bottom of the pan the other
+way."
+
+[Illustration: "What's the matter, child?"]
+
+"Never mind, dear child," Aunt Maria comforted her. "I did the same
+thing to my first cake. I remember it well!"
+
+"You did, Aunt Maria?"
+
+"Yes," said the old lady. "I'll tell you what we'll do! I'll bake a cake
+in place of yours for to-night's party. Don't tell any one."
+
+[Illustration: "It went down! down! down!"]
+
+"Oh, thank you, Aunt Maria," cried Mary Frances; "that's so kind!"
+
+"Not a word to any one!" cau-tion-ed Aunt Maria. "What else do you
+have?"
+
+"Cocoa," said Mary Frances; "I can make that."
+
+"My," smiled Aunt Maria, "I'm so proud."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After the games and riddles, Mary Frances excused herself from her
+guests, and made the cocoa and the pot of tea for her aunt. Then Billy
+carried in the tray, on which she had placed the cake, and the cups and
+saucers, plates, napkins, and Chocolate Pot, and, oh, yes, Tea Pot, for
+Aunt Maria; and she poured the cocoa like a real grown lady, while the
+boys passed the plates and the cake, and served the guests to the cups
+of cocoa.
+
+"Did Mary Frances make this cake?" asked one of the guests. ("I'm
+awfully glad she didn't ask about the other," thought the little girl.)
+
+[Illustration: "Did Mary Frances make this cake?"]
+
+"Yes," said Eleanor's brother Bob. "Yes; knowing the greatness of the
+present oc-ca-sion, I have written a poem, en-ti-tled, 'Ode to the Cook'
+(bowing to Mary Frances), which, with your kind indulgence, I will now
+read:"
+
+[Illustration: "Ode to the Cook"]
+
+"Begin!" laughed Mary Frances.
+
+Bob cleared his throat and began:
+
+    "Mary Frances is a girl
+       Who cooks for you and I;
+     She can boil a fancy cake
+       Or stew a cherry pie.
+
+    "Once she made a pot of soup
+       And served it for our dinner;
+     We thought that we were like to die,
+       It made us so much thinner."
+
+"Time to weep?" asked Billy, pa-thet-i-cal-ly.
+
+    "Now, this, our cook will save expense,
+       For when she is your baker,
+     You may save your doctor's bill--
+       Just get an undertaker."
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, Bob, I say--"]
+
+"Now, Billy," cried Mary Frances, "what have you been telling?"
+
+"Oh, Bob, I say--" said Billy.
+
+[Illustration: "Begin!"]
+
+"Mary Frances, don't mind Bob," interrupted Eleanor. "You see what I
+have to stand all the time." And Mary Frances laughed heartily.
+
+"Did you think I minded Bob?" she asked.
+
+"Show you forgive me, Mary Frances," begged Bob, "by letting me have
+another cup of cake, and another piece of cocoa."
+
+"Not _another_," laughingly corrected Mary Frances. "To be polite, I
+believe I must pretend I didn't notice you'd had any."
+
+"You certainly are kind, Mary Frances," said Bob, "when I don't know how
+many pieces----"
+
+"I know," cried Eleanor,--"this makes the fifth!"
+
+"Well, Nell," begged Bob, "don't tell Mother."
+
+"You deserve it," said Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: "Don't tell Mother."]
+
+"Come," said Billy, "all ready! another game! 'Blind feeds Blind!'" And
+they blindfolded the boys' eyes, and sat them opposite each other, each
+with a plate of little pieces of cake, and a spoon. They were to try to
+feed each other. The one who dropped the least number of pieces, and
+whose cake was first gone, won. It was very funny! Sometimes the spoon
+was poked into the other boy's ear; sometimes it hit his nose.
+
+[Illustration: "Blind feeds blind]
+
+"Everything was grand, Mary Frances," said Eleanor, "and it was the
+loveliest party!"
+
+"I think so, too," smiled Aunt Maria.
+
+"One last riddle," said Mary Frances' father, bidding the young people
+good-night:
+
+"'Why is Mary Frances the happiest girl in the world?'"
+
+Then they all guessed----
+
+"Because 'Mother' is coming home to-morrow!"
+
+"Oh, Mary Frances," laughed Eleanor, "I've had more fun! Good-night,
+dear." And "So have we all of us," and "Thank you," cried the others.
+
+    "Good-night!"
+                "Good-night!"
+                           "Good-night!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Never mind, dear child." Aunt Maria comforted her.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER
+
+
+"OH, my dear Kitchen People, I'm so happy, I don't know whether I'm
+myself or not!"
+
+"You are!" solemnly declared Sauce Pan,--"I mean you are our little
+'Miss'--Miss Mary Frances."
+
+"My, I feel so relieved!" said Mary Frances. "Since that is so, I'll
+tell you why I'm so excited! Mother is coming home to-day--and--I'm
+going to get dinner. Isn't it lovely?"
+
+"Everybody," shouted Tea Kettle, "ready!"
+
+With that, every utensil in the kitchen sprang to its queer little feet.
+
+[Illustration: "You are!"]
+
+"We're all quite ready, Mistress," said Tea Kettle, trying to make a
+bow, but looking very clumsy and ri-dic-u-lous, trying at the same time
+to keep water from spilling out of his nose.
+
+"Thank you, everybody," said Mary Frances, very gravely, however. "I'll
+not need anyone just now but Aunty Rolling Pin. Where is she?"
+
+[Illustration: "Everybody, ready!"]
+
+"She's out picking cherries to make a pumpkin pie," said Sauce Pan in a
+loud whisper to Pie Plate.
+
+"Here I am, child," Aunty Rolling Pin's voice answered. "I can't seem to
+roll out. Get out of my way--you!"
+
+With that, Knife, Fork and Spoon slid to the side of the table, and she
+rolled to the edge.
+
+"What is it, child?" she smiled.
+
+"It's the grandest thing!" said Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: Slid to the side of the table.]
+
+      NO. 33.--QUEEN OF HEARTS TARTS.
+
+      Spread cooked heart-shaped pastry shells with
+      preserved cherries. See No. 34.
+
+"Tarts!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Oh, my handles! I'm so happy! Are
+the cherries ready, child?" she asked, anxiously.
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances, "I am to use
+
+[Illustration: "What is it child?"]
+
+      NO. 34.--PASTRY.
+
+    1 cup flour
+    ¼ teaspoon salt
+    1/3 cup lard
+    1/3 cup cold water
+
+      (Use as little water as possible.)
+
+      1. Sift salt and flour into a bowl.
+
+      2. Rub lard into flour with finger tips until like
+      coarse powder.
+
+      3. Add half the cold water, stirring with a knife to
+      form a stiff ball. Keep this on one side of the bowl.
+
+      4. Stir in more water until the remaining flour forms
+      a ball. Press these balls together.
+
+      5. Roll out. Fit to pie plate. Trim off overhanging
+      edges.
+
+      6. Bake in a hot oven.
+
+"That's it!" exclaimed Aunty Rolling Pin, joyously. "I was afraid there
+might not be 'shortening' or lard enough in the recipe. The whole art of
+making good pastry is in having one-third as much lard as flour, and
+using as little water as possible.
+
+"I was afraid, too, that your mother would not put 'pastry' in the book,
+for when flour or starch grains are coated in fat they are too dry to
+'swell' well in cooking, and cannot burst open. They are not, I'm sorry
+to say, a very di-ges-ti-ble food."
+
+"I'm glad she did, though," said Mary Frances; "she will not often let
+us eat 'pastry,' but I 'spect she im-ag-ined how pleased I'd be. I
+wonder why pie tastes so good, if it isn't good for us? My, how much I
+have to do! Now I'm ready!"
+
+At these words, Middle-sized Bowl sprang upon the table.
+
+[Illustration: "That's it!"]
+
+[Illustration: Sprang upon the table.]
+
+Measuring Cup dumped a cup of flour into it, and ran toward the lard
+kettle, which was standing near.
+
+"Is the salt in the flour?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, crit-i-cal-ly.
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Tea Spoon, "I put it in."
+
+"Who'll measure the lard?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+"I will!" and Measuring Cup threw it into Bowl.
+
+"Well," laughed Mary Frances, "and what do I do?"
+
+"You'll do enough, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "before you get ready
+a whole big dinner, even with our help."
+
+"Well, really," said Mary Frances, "I 'spose I ought to explain: These
+tarts are more 'specially for Billy than for dinner. I promised him----"
+
+"Oh, that's all right," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "that only makes it
+nicer than ever!"
+
+[Illustration: Dumped a cup of flour into it.]
+
+"Now," she went on, "rub the flour and lard together. Cover the lard
+with the flour. Yes, that's it! Now, rub them together until it seems
+like coarse powder. You could use a knife instead, chopping the lard all
+through."
+
+[Illustration: "You'll do enough, child."]
+
+"That right?" asked Mary Frances, holding some down for Aunty Rolling
+Pin to look at, since she couldn't see over the edge of Bowl.
+
+"Yes, that is right," she answered. "Now, you may use a knife for
+stirring and pour just a little water in--oh, mercy! child! (as Mary
+Frances was about to throw in a quarter of a glass) not that way! Make a
+little 'well' in the flour. Pour in about one tablespoon of water. Mix
+well. Let that rest at one side and do the same thing in another place,
+and then another, finally stirring all together into one big ball.
+
+"That's just right!" as Mary Frances lifted up the paste.
+
+"Now, sift a little flour on the board and--oh, how many tarts are you
+going to make?"
+
+"Six."
+
+[Illustration: "All ready!"]
+
+"All right. Cut the paste into five even pieces, and with _me_ (Mary
+Frances laughed, Aunty Rolling Pin seemed so pleased) roll out each
+piece about one-eighth of an inch thick. After cutting out, save all the
+left-over trimmings to use for the last one. Plates ready?"
+
+"All ready!" answered the little heart-shaped Tart Plates.
+
+[Illustration: "That right?"]
+
+"How do I make a pretty border?" asked Mary Frances, cutting the
+trimmings from the edge of Tart Plate with a knife held upright along
+the edge.
+
+Fork came dancing from the edge of the table.
+
+"Oh, I remember!" said Mary Frances, pressing the prongs into the outer
+edge of the crust.
+
+"They're grand!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Can you bake them? You
+need a very hot oven to bake them."
+
+"But the cherries!" said Mary Frances, glad to think she had caught
+Aunty Rolling Pin in an oversight.
+
+"Not until the pastry's cooked, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, with a
+smile.
+
+Mary Frances slipped the little plates into the oven, and made room on
+the table to place the dinner as she prepared it.
+
+In a short fifteen minutes the tarts were ready.
+
+"Aren't they sweet!" the little girl exclaimed. "My! I wish they were
+thought to be very good for children!"
+
+[Illustration: "Aren't they sweet!"]
+
+"What's for dinner?" asked Tea Kettle, anxiously.
+
+[Illustration: Slipped them into the oven.]
+
+"I'll tell you," said Mary Frances, "I've written out the
+
+    MENU
+
+    Potato Soup
+    Pan-broiled Steak
+    Creamed Cabbage      Mashed Potatoes
+    Tomato and Lettuce Salad
+    Banana Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce
+    Coffee
+
+[Illustration: "Very elegant!"]
+
+"Very elegant!--but that's a lot to do, isn't it?" said Tea Kettle.
+"Perhaps, if you read over all the new recipes, and we talk them over
+when its each one's turn to commence, we can work better."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Tea Kettle," said Mary Frances, "that is a very bright
+idea." Tea Kettle glistened.
+
+"I'll read them," continued Mary Frances, "as they come in the book."
+
+[Illustration: "Lettuce washed, and tomatoes sliced."]
+
+"I have the lettuce well washed, and the tomatoes sliced. All I have to
+do is to dry the lettuce at dinner time, and soon I can make the
+
+      NO. 35.--SALAD DRESSING.
+
+    1 teaspoon salt
+    ¾ teaspoon mustard
+    1½ tablespoons sugar
+    2 teaspoons flour
+    ¾ cup sour cream (or milk)
+    1 egg
+    1 tablespoon vinegar
+    1 teaspoon butter
+    A few grains of red pepper.
+
+      1. Beat egg.
+
+      2. Mix mustard, sugar, flour, salt and pepper.
+
+      3. Add egg slowly, beating well at the same time.
+
+      4. Add milk. Beat.
+
+      5. Cook in a sauce pan placed in boiling water.
+
+      6. Stir until it thickens like cream. Remove from heat
+      at once.
+
+      7. Add vinegar very slowly, beating all the while.
+
+      8. Stir in the butter.
+
+      Serve cold on lettuce or sliced tomatoes.
+
+"If this is cooked too long, it will 'curdle' or the be egg will become
+hard and separate," said Sauce Pan; "but I'll be careful. Now I'm ready
+for work."
+
+[Illustration: "I'll be careful."]
+
+Mary Frances laughed. "Thank you, Sauce Pan," she said, as he began to
+move around, going hither and thither.
+
+[Illustration: "Thank you, Sauce Pan."]
+
+"The next recipes are
+
+      NO. 36.--CREAMED NEW CABBAGE.
+
+      1. Cut in half and wash well a young green cabbage.
+
+      2. Cut out and throw away the hard stem part.
+
+      3. Make ready a kettle of boiling water. Put in
+      cabbage. Leave uncovered.
+
+      4. When the water boils, throw in 1 teaspoon salt and
+      ¼ teaspoon baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda).
+
+      5. Boil gently about half hour, or until it begins to
+      lose its bright green color. Lift out with skimmer.
+
+      6. Pour over it White Sauce just before serving.
+
+[Illustration: Young green cabbage.]
+
+      NO. 37.--BREAD PUDDING.
+
+      1. Cut slices of stale bread into squares of about one
+      half inch.
+
+      2. For 2 cups bread, allow
+
+    1 pint milk (2 cups)
+    2 tablespoons sugar
+    2 eggs
+    ¼ teaspoon vanilla
+
+      3. Moisten bread with hot water.
+
+      4. Butter pudding dish.
+
+      5. Put into it the moistened bread.
+
+      6. Beat yolks of eggs; add sugar; add milk.
+
+      7. Pour this over the bread.
+
+      8. Beat whites of eggs. Add 2 tablespoons powdered
+      sugar. Beat well.
+
+      9. Spread this over top of pudding.
+
+      10. Bake in moderate oven one half hour.
+
+      11. Serve with Hard Sauce or cream.
+
+[Illustration: Cut slices of stale bread.]
+
+
+      NO. 38.--BANANA BREAD PUDDING.
+
+      Slice bananas over top of Bread Pudding before
+      spreading on whites of eggs (No. 37).
+
+      Serve with cream or Hard Sauce.
+
+      NO. 39.--HARD SAUCE.
+
+    4 tablespoons soft butter
+    ¾ cup powdered sugar
+    ½ teaspoon vanilla
+    beaten white of 1 egg
+
+      1. Make bowl and spoon hot with boiling water.
+
+      2. "Cream" or rub butter and sugar together, adding
+      sugar by spoonfuls.
+
+      3. Add vanilla.
+
+      4. Beat in the white of egg.
+
+      5. Put in a cool place until needed.
+
+[Illustration: To save a yolk.]
+
+"Yes," said Baking Dish, "that is very nice; but if you use the yolk of
+the egg in the pudding, it will save it, and make the pudding better."
+
+"To save a yolk, all you have to do (it was little Egg Beater) is to
+drop it into a cup and pour a little cold water over the top, to prevent
+its drying. You can use it next day, if you keep it cool."
+
+[Illustration: "Yes, that is very nice"]
+
+"It is wonderful," said Mary Frances, "what you Kitchen People know. If
+it weren't for your help, I'd be afraid to try to get this dinner. I'd
+have to make only one thing a day, as Mother meant me to do."
+
+All the Kitchen People smiled happily.
+
+"Is that the last recipe?" asked Frying Pan.
+
+"No," said Mary Frances. "Why, who are you?"
+
+"I'm Frying Pan, of the great Pan family, if you please, Miss," answered
+he.
+
+"Well! Well! Good friend," smiled Mary Frances, looking at her book,
+"your turn has come!"
+
+[Illustration: Smiled happily]
+
+      NO. 40.--PAN-BROILED BEEFSTEAK.
+
+      1. Heat an empty frying pan to blue heat, or until it
+      smokes. _No greasing is necessary._
+
+      2. Put in the steak.
+
+      3. Cook half minute.
+
+      4. Turn on other side.
+
+      5. Cook about 4 minutes.
+
+      6. Turn, and cook about 5 minutes longer.
+
+      7. Place on a hot platter, and spread with butter.
+
+      8. Sprinkle with a little pepper and salt, and 1
+      tablespoon finely chopped parsley.
+
+      9. Squeeze over it a little lemon juice.
+
+      10. Cover with another platter.
+
+      11. Remove top platter just before serving.
+
+      NOTE.--Mutton or Lamb Chops are pan-broiled in the
+      same way.
+
+[Illustration: "I'm Frying Pan."]
+
+"That's it!" cried Frying Pan, delighted. "That's as good as broiling,
+though it took people a long time to find it out."
+
+"It is not!" cried Gridiron Broiler angrily clicking his wires. "It is
+not, Spider!"
+
+"For shame!" said Mary Frances. "Don't call names!"
+
+"He isn't calling names," answered Frying Pan, "that's my other name,
+Frying Pan Spider."
+
+Then to Gridiron he added, "Come, don't let's quarrel, you'll admit
+pan-broiling is very nearly as good for chops as broiling over the coals
+in a broiler, and quite as good for steaks--nearly."
+
+[Illustration: "That's it!"]
+
+"I was just getting ready to say," said Gridiron, "you didn't mean
+'quite.'"
+
+"It's time to commence!" loudly struck in Mantel Clock.
+
+And then Mary Frances looked on in amazement.
+
+In walked Basket with the potatoes for the potato soup; up sprang Knife
+ready to pare them; over ran Boiler Pan with some water.
+
+"Why! Why!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Why!"
+
+[Illustration: "It is not!"]
+
+"Yes!" said Tea Kettle, "we'll do everything in the recipes you've
+already made. All you need to do is to make the new recipes--with our
+help," which Mary Frances did.
+
+Whenever she'd make a mistake, some one of the Kitchen People would
+correct and help her.
+
+At six o'clock all the dinner was ready to serve, and the table was set.
+
+"Oh, thank you, dear Kitchen People," said the beaming little girl;
+"this is the happiest time of my life."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "They're grand!" chuckled Auntie Rolling Pin. "Can you
+bake them?"]
+
+[Illustration: "YOU DEAR LOVELY CHILD," CRIED MOTHER.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+MOTHER'S SURPRISE
+
+
+AFTER one last look, Mary Frances, hearing the sound of carriage wheels,
+ran to answer the door before the bell rang; but Billy was there, too,
+and they opened the door together.
+
+"Oh, Mother!" cried Mary Frances; "you dear, darling Mother! What a
+'cry-baby' I am!" (as the tears rolled down her cheeks, and Mother
+kissed her and Billy and Father again and again) "What a 'cry-baby!'"
+
+"Which she is not!" declared Billy. "Tell Mother,--Mary Frances, I can't
+wait for you to tell your secret!"
+
+"A secret?" smiled Mother. "A secret, Mary Frances?"
+
+[Illustration: "A secret?"]
+
+"Oh, how good something smells!" said Mother. "It makes me hungry."
+
+"Come right out, then," said Mary Frances, bowing, "Dinner is Served."
+
+[Illustration: "You dear, darling Mother!"]
+
+"Here?" asked her mother. "I im-ag-ined we'd go over to Aunt Maria's."
+
+"No, Mother, dear," laughed Mary Frances, happily; "it's the 'surprise'
+for you." And they went into the dining-room.
+
+"Wh--wh--why! how did this happen?" asked Mother. "Where did this feast
+come from?"
+
+Everybody laughed and talked at the same time.
+
+"Mary Frances is guilty," laughed Billy; and Mary Frances "owned up."
+
+"Mother," said she, bringing her worn and somewhat soiled little cook
+book and putting it in her Mother's lap, "I've made everything! I've
+gone 'all through' my book! I got dinner to-night!--that's your
+surprise."
+
+[Illustration: "How did this happen?"]
+
+[Illustration: "I've made everything!"]
+
+"My own dear, lovely child!" said Mother. "You dear, precious
+baby-woman!" And taking Mary Frances in her lap, she hugged and kissed
+her again and again.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I'm awfully sorry I couldn't exactly explain about you--you dear
+Kitchen People," whispered Mary Frances, going out to bid them
+good-night. "If it hadn't been for you, I never, never could have done
+it,--my dear, dear, friends."
+
+"You'll not need us soon again," said Tea Kettle, sadly. "We're
+sorry--yet we're glad that your mother will take our place as teacher
+now."
+
+"Will you help me when I do need you?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+"When you do," they promised, and she threw them a kiss.
+
+"Good-night, little Miss," they cried; and when she turned round again,
+they looked just like any or-din-ary kitchen utensils.
+
+For a minute she felt very lonely; then, remembering, she said gladly,
+"But they promised!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, Mother!" cried Mary Frances.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Page vii, "Buscuits" changed to "Biscuits" (Baking Powder Biscuits)
+
+The following corrections are all made to illustration captions. As this
+was only possible to make in the txt version, these corrections do not
+appear in the HTML version.
+
+Page 58, illustration, "scacely" changed to "scarcely" (I can scarcely)
+
+Page 67, illustration, "whisper" changed to "whispered" (Sauce Pan
+whispered)
+
+Page 95, illustration, two instances of "riblon" were retained on the
+assumption that it is an example of Mary Francis' spelling in her
+handwritten invitation.
+
+Page 98, illustration, "Biscuts" changed to "Biscuits" (Baking Powder
+Biscuits)
+
+Page 124, illustration, "creace" changed to "crease" (Make creace
+through the)
+
+Page 124, illustration, "loke" changed to "look" (Then it will look
+like)
+
+Page 139, illustration, "pan" changed to "Pan" (Teased Sauce Pan)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Mary Frances Cook Book, by Jane Earye Fryer
+
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mary Frances Cook Book, by Jane Eayre Fryer.
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+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Mary Frances Cook Book, by Jane Earye Fryer
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Mary Frances Cook Book
+       Adventures Among the Kitchen People
+
+Author: Jane Earye Fryer
+
+Illustrator: Margaret G. Hays
+             Jane Allen Boyer
+
+Release Date: December 4, 2011 [EBook #38215]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jason Isbell, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="450" height="600" alt="Cover" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/dedication.png" width="600" height="281" alt="Dedication: A book for all girls who love to help Mother. Jane Eayre Fryer" title="" />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p><div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i003.png" width="600" height="812" alt="Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster carefully over." title="" />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 430px;">
+<img src="images/i004_title.png" width="430" height="600" alt="Title" title="" />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h1>THE<br />
+MARY FRANCES<br />
+COOK BOOK</h1>
+
+<div class='center'>OR<br />
+ADVENTURES AMONG THE<br />
+KITCHEN PEOPLE<br />
+
+By<br />
+<span class='author'>JANE EAYRE FRYER</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
+
+<br />
+Full page illustrations by<br />
+MARGARET G. HAYS<br />
+Other illustrations by<br />
+JANE ALLEN BOYER<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='copyright'>
+Copyright, 1912, by<br />
+<span class="smcap">Jane Eayre Fryer</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='blockquot2'>
+<div><img src="images/i006a.jpg" alt="curtain" width="108" height="587" class="splitr" /></div>
+<span class="smcap">Dear Girls</span>:
+
+<p>This book tells the story of Mary Frances, a little
+girl whose great ambition was to help her mother.
+So anxious was she to do this that even the humble
+Kitchen People became her teachers and instructors.
+They talked to her, a thing never heard of before;
+helped her over the hard places, and explained mysterious
+secrets she could never otherwise have understood.
+They wove around a simple little book of
+recipes her mother had made for her the spell of
+Fairyland; they led her through a series of delightful
+adventures such as never happened to any girl before,
+in which she lived for three whole happy weeks, and
+out of which she emerged no longer a little girl, but
+a real little woman.</p>
+
+<p>Some very wise people would call this a story
+book, some a manual training book, and others a
+cookery book, but Mary Frances knows better; she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span>
+knows that it is a Book within a Book that introduced
+her to Aunty Rolling Pin and a lot of other dear, dear
+friends, such as no little girl ever had before, and whom
+she now wishes to introduce for the first time to all
+other little girls. (I know that she gained their consent
+to do this because she told me so.)</p>
+
+<p>In the hope that Mary Frances' wish may be
+realized, this record of her adventures is sent out to
+the girls of America with the best wishes of</p>
+
+<div class='sig'>
+<span class="smcap">The Author</span>.<br />
+</div>
+
+<div><img src="images/i006b.jpg" alt="girl looking out window" width="588" height="239" class="splitr" /> </div>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="extra illustrations">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i007a.jpg" width="100" height="299" alt="letters" title="" />
+</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i007b.jpg" width="600" height="450" alt="Reading to children" title="" />
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/i008a.jpg" width="500" height="124" alt="CONTENTS" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents 1">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Kitchen People</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Toaster Man</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Mary Frances' Mother</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Mary Frances Warns the Kitchen Folks</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Aunt Maria</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Jacket-boiled Potatoes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Pot-and-Kettle Fight</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Potato Lunch</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Mary Frances Gets Breakfast</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Breakfast Burns Up</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">A Joke on Aunt Maria</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Tramp</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Company to Lunch</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">A Patent Dish-washing</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Thimble Biscuits</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Dolls' Kitchen Party</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Sick Neighbor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><img src="images/i008b.jpg" width="500" height="162" alt="COOK BOOK" title="" /></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents 2 and side illustration">
+<tr><td align='left'><div class="figleft" style="width: 148px;"><img src="images/i009a.jpg" width="148" height="400" alt="books" title="" /></div>
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents 2">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">A Man's Lunch</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Poor Blue Pitcher</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Mary Frances Gives a Cooking Lesson</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Picnic</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Candy Pull</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Getting Ready for a Party</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Tea Party</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Mary Frances Gets Dinner</span></td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Mother's Surprise. "Good-Bye, Little Miss"</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td></tr>
+</table></div></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/i009b.jpg" width="500" height="412" alt="singers" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>LIST OF RECIPES</h2>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="List of recipes and illustrations">
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="List of Recipes part 1">
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;1. <span class="smcap">Plain Toast</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;2. <span class="smcap">Buttered Toast</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;3. <span class="smcap">Milk Toast</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;4. <span class="smcap">Jacket-boiled Potatoes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;5. <span class="smcap">Baked Potatoes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;6. <span class="smcap">Boiled Potatoes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;7. <span class="smcap">Mashed Potatoes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;8. <span class="smcap">Potato Soup</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;9. <span class="smcap">Boiled Eggs</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>10. <span class="smcap">Hard-boiled Eggs</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>11. <span class="smcap">Coffee</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>12. <span class="smcap">Tea</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>13. <span class="smcap">Omelet</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>14. <span class="smcap">White Sauce</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>15. <span class="smcap">Baked Apples</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>16. <span class="smcap">Thimble Biscuits</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>17. <span class="smcap">Baking Powder Biscuits</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>18. <span class="smcap">Cocoa</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>19. <span class="smcap">Gingerbread Cookies</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>20. <span class="smcap">Soft Custard</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_111">111</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></td></tr>
+</table></div></td><td align='left'><img src="images/i010a.jpg" width="90" height="450" alt="bananas" title="" />
+</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><img src="images/i010b.jpg" width="500" height="204" alt="Mixed fruit" title="" />
+</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="List of recipes part 2">
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>21. <span class="smcap">Steamed Rice</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>22. <span class="smcap">Boiled Rice</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>23. <span class="smcap">Poached Eggs</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>24. <span class="smcap">Rice Pudding</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>25. <span class="smcap">Boiled Mutton</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>26. <span class="smcap">Sauce for Boiled Mutton</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>27. <span class="smcap">Apple Snow</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>28. <span class="smcap">Stuffed Eggs</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>29. <span class="smcap">Pickaninny Fudge</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>30. <span class="smcap">Walnut Kisses</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>31. <span class="smcap">Sponge Cake</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>32. <span class="smcap">Dream Cake</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>33. <span class="smcap">Queen of Hearts Tarts</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>34. <span class="smcap">Pastry</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>35. <span class="smcap">Salad Dressing</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>36. <span class="smcap">Creamed New Cabbage</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>37. <span class="smcap">Bread Pudding</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>38. <span class="smcap">Banana Bread Pudding</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>39. <span class="smcap">Hard Sauce</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>40. <span class="smcap">Pan-broiled Beefsteak</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i011a.jpg" width="93" height="450" alt="Radishes" title="" />
+</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right' colspan='2'><img src="images/i011b.jpg" width="500" height="199" alt="Mixed vegetables" title="" />
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i012.jpg" width="600" height="784" alt="The Kitchen People 1" title="" />
+</div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i013.jpg" width="600" height="814" alt="The Kitchen People 2" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE KITCHEN PEOPLE</div>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>ALL the Kitchen People were terribly excited.</div>
+<div><img src="images/i014b.jpg" alt="steam" width="145" height="524" class="splitr" />
+<img src="images/i014a.jpg" alt="kettle" width="567" height="206" class="splitr" /></div>
+<p>"I see my finish!" puffed Tea Kettle from
+his perch on the stove.</p>
+
+<p>"That's slang!" snapped Sauce Pan, who sat
+near by.</p>
+
+<p>"Slang or no slang," said Tea Kettle, "I'll melt if
+somebody doesn't come fill me soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Where's the cook? Where's the mistress?" asked
+Boiler Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the cook's left&mdash;left this morning and the
+mistress's sick. What's that I smell burning?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the potatoes in the oven," said
+Toaster.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my lid!" cried Tea Kettle holding his nose.
+"Pour on water! Quick!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" exclaimed Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" cried Pie Plate.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" clanged Big Iron Pot.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 165px;">
+<img src="images/i015a.jpg" width="165" height="739" alt="Stove" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Whew!" mimicked Sauce Pan. "Whew!&mdash;That<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+won't help! If you say Whew! to an oven door, will
+it open?&mdash;Somebody open the door!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good idea, Saucy!" exclaimed Tea Kettle. "You
+might try it yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>"Owoooh! O-w-o-o-o-h!" strained little Sauce Pan
+at the heavy door. "O-w-o-o-o-h! I can't-t budge
+it! Cauch! Cawc! Ochee!" he coughed. "What
+smoke! Somebody else come try!"</p>
+
+<p>"Get out of the way, then," said Big Iron Pot,
+making heavily toward the stove.</p>
+
+<p>"Knew your arms were too short," laughed Tea
+Kettle, seeing Iron Pot couldn't reach the knob.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they're as long as yours," said Iron Pot
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Kick it open!" sug-gest-ed Sauce Pan. "Everybody
+allowed one kick!"</p>
+
+<p>"First go!" exclaimed Iron Pot.</p>
+
+<p>Whack! came a muffled sound. Then, "Oh, my
+poor feet! Oh! Oh!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," said Big Iron Pot, hopping around on
+one little leg, and holding the other with his hands.
+"Only I wish you'd had 'First go!'"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;">
+<img src="images/i015b.jpg" width="325" height="223" alt="&quot;I wish you&#39;d had &#39;First go!&#39;&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i016a.jpg" width="103" height="439" alt="Geraniums" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Well," declared Tea Kettle, "unless help comes
+soon, we may as well give up all hope of rescue. This
+is dreadful!"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, then," ticked Mantel Clock, who didn't
+mind the smoke. "I know a secret: the dear little
+girl&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, we know!" cried the Kitchen People.</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" asked Mantel Clock, "what do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"The little girl&mdash;that there is a little girl&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all you know?" demanded Mantel Clock.
+"Now, when people interrupt&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Just dying to tell," said Sauce Pan in a loud
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, please, tell us the secret," begged the
+Kitchen People.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," Mantel Clock ran on, "the dear little girl
+that lives in our house is going to learn to cook. What
+d'you say if we all turn in and help her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Goody-goody!" Aunty Rolling Pin laughed so
+she nearly rolled off the table.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the kitchen door-knob turned, and every
+one of the Kitchen People was as quiet as a</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 496px;">
+<img src="images/i016b.jpg" width="496" height="280" alt="mouse" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>TOASTER MAN</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>IN ran the dearest, sweetest little girl.</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i017a.jpg" width="115" height="679" alt="In ran the dearest, sweetest little girl." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, you poor Tea Kettle!" she cried. "You'll
+boil to death!" and she pulled it over to the
+cooler part of the stove.</p>
+
+<p>Tea Kettle simmered his thanks.</p>
+
+<p>"What can be burning?" she asked. "What can
+it be?" and she looked all over the stove.</p>
+
+<p>"I do believe it's something in the oven!"</p>
+
+<p>As she pulled open the oven door, out rolled the
+burnt potatoes.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," she said, "now, for the toast," and she
+caught up her mother's apron from a hook, and tied
+it just under her arms, crossing the strings in front.</p>
+
+<p>The Kitchen People held their breath to see what
+would happen next.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly she clapped her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"The very thing!" she cried, and ran out of the
+room. In a minute she was back, with a little book in
+her hands.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 337px;">
+<img src="images/i017b.jpg" width="337" height="200" alt="Out rolled the burnt potatoes." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Mother was asleep," she whispered as though her
+mother was still in danger of being wakened by any
+sound&mdash;"but I just tip-toed up to the table, and got
+the book she's been making for my cooking lessons.
+This must be it&mdash;it's Mother's writing:</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i018a.jpg" width="112" height="257" alt="With a little book in her hands" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='center'>
+'The Mary Frances' First Cook Book.'<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>I believe&mdash;I just believe it tells about toast. Yes,
+here it is, right on the first page:</p>
+<div class='center'><span class="smcap">No. 1.&mdash;Plain Toast.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>1. Cut stale bread into slices, about &frac12; inch thick.</p>
+
+<p>2. Remove crusts.</p>
+
+<p>3. Put into wire toaster.</p>
+
+<p>4. Hold over a fire, moving to and fro until a golden brown color.</p>
+
+<p>5. Turn, and brown the other side.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Let's see if there is any stale bread. I should
+think so! a whole loaf! Now, I'll cut two slices, and
+since I want it to be very nice, I'll cut off the crusts.
+I guess that will be enough; oh, how I wish somebody
+was here to help me."</p>
+
+<p>"There <i>is</i> somebody&mdash;<i>I'll</i> help!"</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 403px;">
+<img src="images/i018b.jpg" width="403" height="228" alt="&quot;There is somebody&mdash;I&#39;ll help!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances looked round in amazement. Seeing
+no one, "Why,&mdash;where? Why,&mdash;who are <i>you?</i>" she
+asked.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 128px;">
+<img src="images/i019a.jpg" width="128" height="265" alt="&quot;And I!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"I'm Tea Kettle, Miss," said Tea Kettle, lifting
+his lid very politely. "I'm gladly at your service, if
+you please."</p>
+
+<p>"And I!" It was Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"And I!" cried Boiler Pan.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances could scarcely believe her ears.</p>
+
+<p>"My," she said, "can you all talk? and will you
+help me? Isn't that grand!&mdash;But how you did s'prise
+me! Won't we have a lovely time!"</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the fire! Look at the fire!"</p>
+
+<p>"What a tiny voice!" thought the little girl,&mdash;but
+she quickly took the lids off the stove. Some very
+bright coals stared up at her.</p>
+
+<p>"The fire is fine," she said aloud, and she looked all
+about to find where the voice came from, but she saw no
+one.</p>
+
+<p>"Look down, please!" said the same tiny voice,
+this time very distinctly.</p>
+
+<p>There stood the funniest little wire man, no higher
+than the little girl's elbow.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 334px;">
+<img src="images/i019b.jpg" width="334" height="202" alt="&quot;And I!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You didn't see me," laughed the little man,
+"but I know how to make toast."</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/i020a.jpg" width="100" height="308" alt="&quot;You didn&#39;t see me&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Of course!" said the little girl, "you're&mdash;why,
+you're the Toaster!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," said the little man, with a bow,
+"at your service, Miss Mary Frances."</p>
+
+<p>"Try me, and see what I can do," went on Toaster
+Man. "Just put a slice of that bread into my head,
+and hold me over the fire."</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances leaned over and gravely put a slice
+of bread in Toaster. He looked so funny standing
+there that she wanted to smile, but thought it wouldn't
+be exactly polite to so helpful a friend. But when he
+said, "Slide up my collar," in a thick, smothery sort
+of voice, she laughed aloud before she could stop, but
+turned the sound into a cough so quickly that Toaster
+Man looked up at her queerly only a moment; and
+she pulled the ring up until it held the bread tightly
+in place.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, lift me up over the fire!" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances hesitated&mdash;she couldn't tell where
+to take hold of him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;">
+<img src="images/i020b.jpg" width="324" height="227" alt="&quot;Slide up my collar.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"Never mind my legs," he said, as though he read<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+her thoughts, "I'll see to them," and he folded them
+up so close that when Mary Frances lifted him up, she
+could find no sign of them.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 116px;">
+<img src="images/i021a.jpg" width="116" height="191" alt="She opened her book." title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Oh, you'll be burnt!" she cried, as she held what
+Toaster Man had called his head over the bright fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Not I," he laughed, "not I. I like it. It's the
+toast that'll be burnt, if I'm not turned over soon."</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster
+carefully over.</p>
+
+<p>"Not too close to the coals at first, Little Miss,"
+said the little fellow. "Now,&mdash;closer! That's it!"</p>
+
+<p>"How is it?" he asked, as Mary Frances took him
+from the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"What a beautiful piece of toast!" she cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Grand-if-i-cent!" exclaimed Toaster. "Now, you
+do the next piece without my saying a word&mdash;but
+first spread that with butter, and put it in the oven.
+Now, you read in your book, and see if that's not the
+way to make Buttered Toast."</p>
+
+
+
+<p>Mary Frances opened her book.</p>
+
+<p>"Read it out!" said the little man.</p>
+
+<p>"When I speak that way, Mother tells me to say
+'Please,'" said she.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 402px;">
+<img src="images/i021b.jpg" width="402" height="194" alt="&quot;Grandificent!&quot; exclaimed Toaster." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Beg pardon," said the little man, "Please."</p>
+
+<p>So Mary Frances read:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">No. 2.&mdash;Buttered Toast.</span></p>
+
+<p>1. Spread toasted bread evenly with butter.</p>
+
+<p>2. Pile one slice on top of the other, and cover with a bowl.</p>
+
+<p>3. Place in oven.</p></div>
+
+<p>"That's it! that's what I told you," cried the little
+fellow. "I'm always right about toast. Can you make
+the next slice without a word more?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so," said Mary Frances; and she didn't
+utter a sound until she had taken the second piece out
+of Toaster.</p>
+
+<p>"What a beautiful piece of toast!" exclaimed
+Toaster. "It's better than the first."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i022a.jpg" width="114" height="290" alt="&quot;What a beautiful piece of toast!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't think&mdash;&mdash;" Mary Frances started.</p>
+
+<p>"I know!" snapped the little man. "Don't contradict
+me about toast! By the way," he asked,
+"why don't you make it into Milk Toast for your
+mother? it would be softer, and more palat&mdash;palat&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Pal-a-table," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;">
+<img src="images/i022b.jpg" width="263" height="131" alt="Buttered toast." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes," said he, "you know a good deal for a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+girl,"&mdash;and he began to choke. Mary Frances patted
+him hard.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 104px;">
+<img src="images/i023a.jpg" width="104" height="216" alt="Cup of milk" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"A piece of toast?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he exclaimed in-dig-nant-ly, "a long word
+always makes me choke. That's why I seldom use
+them. Now, please read about Milk Toast."</p>
+
+<p>"If you know&mdash;&mdash;" sug-gest-ed Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's more like real grown-up people to have
+it out of a book," said the little man. "Go on!"</p>
+
+<p>And Mary Frances read from her little Cook
+Book.</p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><span class="smcap">No. 3.&mdash;Milk Toast.</span></div>
+
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup milk</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>3 slices toast</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Make ready the toast.</p>
+
+<p>2. Heat the milk until smoking hot.</p>
+
+<p>3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan.</p>
+
+<p>4. Throw the flour into the butter. Cook until it bubbles a little,
+stirring all the time. Take from the fire.</p>
+
+<p>5. Pour 1/3 the milk upon the butter and flour, a little at a time,
+stirring with the back of a spoon to press out the
+lumps.</p>
+
+<p>6. Place over fire, and gradually stir in the remaining milk.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/i023b.jpg" width="300" height="198" alt="Measuring Cup &amp; Pitcher" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>7. Add the salt. Let boil a minute.</p>
+
+<p>8. Put slices of toast in a heated dish; pour the sauce over and
+serve hot.</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>All measures are made level with the top of cup or spoon. To
+measure level spoonful:</p>
+
+<p>Fill spoon heaping full, and level it off with the back of a knife.</p>
+
+<p>For half spoonful, cut through lengthwise.</p>
+
+<p>For quarter spoonful, divide a half spoonful across.</p>
+
+<p>A saltspoon is 1/8 teaspoon.</p></div>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i024a.jpg" width="107" height="238" alt="&quot;Hurrah!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 401px;">
+<img src="images/i024b.jpg" width="401" height="202" alt="To look over the edge of the dish" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"That's right!" said Toaster Man. "That's the way
+my grandmother made it. If I were you, I'd make
+only half of that sauce for only two slices of toast.
+You did so well with the Plain Toast; you go right
+ahead with the Milk Toast, and see if you can make it
+all yourself, and if you need any help, I'll be on the spot
+in a twinkle. Follow carefully what your little Cook
+Book says. You know you must measure everything
+even with the top of the spoon, or cup."</p>
+
+
+<p>So Mary Frances did exactly what the recipe told
+her.</p>
+
+
+<p>As she poured the last of the sauce over the toast,
+which she had put in a pretty dish, the little man,
+who had been running here and there, watching everything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+she did, shouted, "Hurrah!" At least, he tried
+to shout, but his voice would scarcely reach to a grown-up
+person's ear. "You are the best pupil I ever had!"</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i025a.jpg" width="108" height="284" alt="&quot;Everything falls out backwards&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Have you had many?" asked Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"You are the only one," said Toaster. "Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think," said the little man, standing on
+his toes, to look over the edge of the dish, "that that
+Milk Toast would taste awful good!"</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you try it?" asked Mary Frances. She
+was very much afraid he would, but she wanted to
+show her gratitude for his kindness.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no," sighed the little man, "I never eat."</p>
+
+<p>"You never eat!" exclaimed Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"It may seem strange to you," said the little man,
+"but everything that is put into my head falls out
+backwards, and I simply can't eat."</p>
+
+
+<p>"It must be dreadful!" said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"It keeps me very thin," complained Toaster,
+"but if I'm not mistaken, your mother will eat all
+that toast,&mdash;if she gets it while it's hot."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I hope so," said Mary Frances; "and I thank
+you so very very much."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 444px;">
+<img src="images/i025b.jpg" width="444" height="181" alt="Followed by the admiring gaze of all." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i026a.jpg" width="114" height="129" alt="Geranium" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Good-bye!" added the little girl, as she went
+out of the kitchen, followed by the admiring gaze of all
+the Kitchen People.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 523px;">
+<img src="images/i026b.jpg" width="523" height="595" alt="&quot;I thank you so very, very much.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>MARY FRANCES' MOTHER</div>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>MARY FRANCES pushed open the door of
+her mother's room very softly.</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 120px;">
+<img src="images/i027a.jpg" width="120" height="318" alt="&quot;What has my little girl there?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"What has my little girl there?" asked
+her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, are you awake, Mother? It's a s'prise for
+you," and she carried the tray over to the bed.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother carefully lifted the lid of the dish.</p>
+
+<p>"Milk Toast! the only thing I could eat! why&mdash;who
+made it?"</p>
+
+<p>"If it hadn't been for Toaster, it couldn't have been
+made," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother looked at the little girl in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean," she added, "that Toaster really did it&mdash;he
+showed me how&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 442px;">
+<img src="images/i027b.jpg" width="442" height="202" alt="&quot;It&#39;s a s&#39;prise for you.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i028a.jpg" width="109" height="261" alt="&quot;What do you think?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Oh!" laughed her mother, as she lifted a slice of
+toast out on a saucer. "Well, dear, anyway I want you
+to have some toast with Mother"&mdash;and she handed the
+saucer to Mary Frances, who said she would much
+rather watch her mother eat it than to have some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+herself; but, after her first taste, she found how hungry
+she was.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the best toast I ever ate," said her mother,
+"and Mary Frances, dear, I feel much better already."</p>
+
+<p>She would have said more had not Mary Frances'
+brother bounded up the stairs two steps at a time
+with,&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think! I met Father downtown, and
+he says Aunt Maria's coming over to keep house for us.
+In the daytime, she must be at home; but she'll come
+over to get breakfast for us, and we'll go there for our
+dinners&mdash;and Father says Mother is going to the
+seashore to have a 'perfect rest' until she's well. Anyhow,
+I'm glad we won't starve. I wish Sis knew how
+to cook!" and he teasingly pulled one of Mary Frances'
+curls.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush, Brother!" said the mother, "you should
+have been here to see the lovely Milk Toast Sister just
+brought me. It was the best I ever ate&mdash;and she made
+it all herself."</p><div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;">
+<img src="images/i028b.jpg" width="387" height="203" alt="&quot;I must warn the Kitchen People.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Almost!" said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes," said her mother, "the dear little girlie
+wants Toaster to get part of the praise."</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 105px;">
+<img src="images/i029a.jpg" width="105" height="292" alt="Flowers" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha!" laughed Brother, and Mary Frances,
+somehow, couldn't explain about the Kitchen Folks.</p>
+
+<p>Instead, "When does Aunt Maria come?" she
+asked. "Does she come to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's coming right over," answered her brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh!" thought Mary Frances, "I must warn
+the Kitchen People."</p>
+
+<p>"Brother," she began, nervously, "you stay with
+Mother&mdash;I want to take these things down."</p>
+
+<p>But Brother was already sitting quietly near
+Mother, and Mary Frances hurried softly downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"The poor dears! The poor dears!" she kept
+whispering all the way down.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 501px;">
+<img src="images/i029b.jpg" width="501" height="394" alt="&quot;Milk Toast! the only think I could eat! why&mdash;who made it?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>MARY FRANCES WARNS THE KITCHEN FOLKS</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 104px;">
+<img src="images/i030a.jpg" width="104" height="477" alt="Then he bragged" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>TO the kitchen door she ran, and was about to
+rush out, when she thought she heard voices&mdash;thin,
+little voices they were&mdash;so she peeped out,
+for the door was ajar,&mdash;and this is what she saw:</div>
+
+<p>Toaster Man, all tired out, was leaning back in a
+chair, snoring softly; but all the other Kitchen People
+were wide awake. It was Tea Kettle that was speaking:</p>
+
+<p>"So, he put the eight feathers in a pan, and cooked
+them&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Who did?" asked Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"The Jack Rabbit&mdash;and then he ate their fringe all
+off, and gave the bones to the cat. Then he bragged&mdash;he
+bragged that he'd eaten eight whole chickens at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all?" asked Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" said Sauce Pan. "Was that his recipe
+for Fried Chicken?"</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 484px;">
+<img src="images/i030b.jpg" width="484" height="213" alt="Toaster Man all tired out." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 543px;">
+<img src="images/i031.jpg" width="543" height="741" alt="&quot;A Little Cap and Apron!&quot; cried Mary Frances." title="" />
+</div>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i032a.jpg" width="112" height="407" alt="Dish" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"My, I'd love to hear more about the Jack Rabbit,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+thought Mary Frances, "but I must warn them about
+Aunt Maria"; and she hurried out into the kitchen.</p>
+
+
+<p>"Listen!" she whispered, with upraised finger.
+"Listen!&mdash;Mother is going away, and Aunt Maria's
+coming over to keep house. Don't ever say a word&mdash;she'll
+never understand you, and she'll scrub and scour
+you till you ache, poor things!&mdash;she'll do that anyway,
+but don't talk before her. I hurried down to warn
+you&mdash;I was so afraid you might."</p>
+
+<p>"Never fear," spoke up Tea Kettle; "we never,
+never talk before 'grown-ups'&mdash;we can't help them.
+I forgot to tell you&mdash;if you speak about us to anyone,
+we can never, never speak again."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Mary Frances, "it's a secret! I'm so
+glad you told me&mdash;I came so near telling Mother about
+Toaster Man&mdash;I might have, only&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Then the door-bell rang.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 547px;">
+<img src="images/i032b.jpg" width="547" height="343" alt="&quot;She&#39;ll scrub and scour you till you ache, poor things!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>AUNT MARIA</div>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>"FOR the land's sakes!" cried Aunt Maria.
+"For the land's sakes! Where in the world
+has that child been? Look at those hands!
+Have you been playing in the coal?"</div>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 99px;">
+<img src="images/i033a.jpg" width="99" height="459" alt="&quot;Who showed you how?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 220px;">
+<img src="images/i033b.jpg" width="220" height="210" alt="&quot;N-no-body.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"I put coal on the fire," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'll take a look at that fire, myself," Aunt
+Maria continued, as she started toward the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>Just then, she caught sight of the tray which Mary
+Frances had brought downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Milk Toast," she sniffed. "Who sent that in?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I made it," Mary Frances began.</p>
+
+<p>There was one tiny piece left. Aunt Maria looked
+at it hard.</p>
+
+<p>"It's wonderful," she said, "wonderful; who showed
+you how?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who showed you how?" she demanded, as Mary
+Frances stood silent.</p>
+
+
+<p>"N-no-body,&mdash;at least, no real person. I read about
+how to make it in my cook book."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p>
+
+<div><img src="images/i034a.jpg" alt="stovepipe" width="104" height="526" class="splitr" />
+<img src="images/i034b.jpg" alt="stove" width="551" height="216" class="splitr" />
+</div>
+<p>"<i>Your</i> cook book&mdash;you mean your <i>mother's</i> cook
+book."</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i035a.jpg" width="108" height="406" alt="book" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"No," said Mary Frances, "I mean my cook book
+Mother's been making for me. I'll show it to you,"
+and she ran to get it. "See!&mdash;in Mother's writing&mdash;'Mary
+Frances' First Cook Book!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Aunt Maria, "you may turn out of
+some account, after all. It's about time to call for a
+ref-or-ma-tion."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, not un-der-stand-ing
+the big word&mdash;"do you want me to call for
+it now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be saucy!" snapped the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>Then she set about washing the little girl's hands
+and face, rubbing so hard that it made the tears come,
+finishing off with the towel until Mary Frances felt
+her face shine.</p>
+
+<p>"Wonder if she thinks I'm a stove," she
+thought. "Maybe she'll black me some day by
+mistake! I don't believe she knows how old I
+am&mdash;she treats me like a baby, for all the world
+sometimes, yet she thinks I ought to know more.
+Queer!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While Aunt Maria was busy getting dinner, she
+ran up to her mother's room.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother," she asked, "Aunt Maria will be gone
+home most of the day time, while you're away, won't
+she?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear," said Mother; "you and Brother are
+to go to her house to lunch."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, dear," begged Mary Frances, "can't I
+get lunch for Brother and me? I was going to tell you
+I read&mdash;I found the recipe for the Milk Toast in my
+little cook book you've been making for me. I came
+up and found it while you were asleep&mdash;I just know I
+can get our lunches. Please, Mother, can't I try?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear," said Mother, smiling, "I really believe
+you may. I've just been thinking about the toast,
+and what a woman my dear little girl is."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Aunt Maria called:</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+"Dinner!"<br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 517px;">
+<img src="images/i035b.jpg" width="517" height="295" alt="Washing the little girl&#39;s hands and face." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>JACKET-BOILED POTATOES</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 106px;">
+<img src="images/i036a.jpg" width="106" height="534" alt="&quot;Good-bye!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"GOOD-BYE, Billy! Take good care of Sister.
+Good-bye, little Housekeeper!" said Mother,
+leaning from the car window. The children
+waved "good-bye," and watched the train until it was
+a speck in the distance.</div>
+
+
+
+
+<p>"I'm off to the mill-race, with the boys, Sister,&mdash;catch!"
+cried Billy, tossing Mary Frances the key.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," she called, "be sure to come home to
+lunch&mdash;twelve o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances suddenly felt very lonesome.</p>
+
+<p>"But I'll go home to my Kitchen Folks&mdash;they'll be
+good company," she thought.</p>
+
+<p>When she let herself into the house, how big and
+empty it seemed! She was almost afraid to go in, but
+she bravely locked the door behind her.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 316px;">
+<img src="images/i036b.jpg" width="316" height="194" alt="&quot;Good-bye!&quot; &quot;Good-bye!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>She thought she heard a noise. Surely the curtain
+moved! Her heart went pit-a-pat! The curtain moved
+again. Out sprang Jubey, and scampered off into the
+kitchen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you darling kitten!" she cried, running after
+her. "How you scared me, Jubey!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 135px;">
+<img src="images/i037a.jpg" width="135" height="652" alt="&quot;How you scared me, Jubey!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Everything was as neat as a pin. All the
+Kitchen Folks were in their places, prim, and quiet,
+and scared, just as Aunt Maria had left them, but
+when they saw her they brightened up, and smiled a
+welcome.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you do, Kitchen Folks?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"How do, little Miss?" merrily sang Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"H-o-w d-o?" ticked Mantel Clock.</p>
+
+<p>"What in the world shall I have for lunch?" mused
+the little girl. "That boy will be as hungry as two
+bears,&mdash;and I don't know many things to cook yet.
+Toast is all right for a sick person, but it isn't much
+for a hungry boy,&mdash;and I ought to make something new.
+Let me see what my little book says," and she fetched
+it out of its hiding place.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 366px;">
+<img src="images/i037b.jpg" width="366" height="222" alt="As hungry as two bears." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, I know! I'll make everything! I do hope
+I get through the book before Mother comes back!
+Let's see,&mdash;here's 'How to Cook Potatoes,' and 'Eggs';
+here are 'Biscuits,' and even how to make 'Tarts' and
+'Cakes,'&mdash;and Goody! Candy! Oh, how I'd love to
+make candy right away, but Mother said I must make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+the things in the order they come in the book. So
+to-day I make</p>
+
+<div class='center'><span class="smcap">No. 4.&mdash;Jacket-boiled Potatoes.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Scrub rather small potatoes well.</p>
+
+<p>2. Pare a ring around each the long way; drop into cold water.</p>
+
+<p>3. Drain; cover with boiling water; add 1 tablespoon salt.</p>
+
+<p>4. Let boil about 35 minutes, or until a fork will easily pierce the
+largest.</p>
+
+<p>5. Drain off all the water, and set pan at back of stove to dry
+off the potatoes.</p>
+
+<p>6. Serve in their jackets.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i038a.jpg" width="107" height="289" alt="Jacket boiled potatoes" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I wonder how many Billy will eat," she thought, as
+she brought the basket. "I guess about&mdash;about&mdash;I
+don't know. He has an e-nor-mous appetite. I guess
+I'll cook a hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"He'll never eat a hundred!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 305px;">
+<img src="images/i038b.jpg" width="305" height="199" alt="&quot;He&#39;ll never eat a hundred.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Mary Frances looked around. Boiler Pan was
+climbing down from the closet shelf.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! How do you know?" asked Mary Frances.
+"You never saw him eat."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear that! Hear that!" cried Boiler Pan. "As
+though I hadn't cooked potatoes before you were born.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+Eat a hundred? Why, I can't hold a hundred&mdash;so
+there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ho, ho!" said Mary Frances, "that must be so.
+How many can you hold?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, about thirty, I guess," swelling with pride.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Mary Frances, "you've no notion how
+many that boy can eat, and there isn't much else for
+lunch. I guess I'll cook about twelve,"&mdash;and counting
+them out, she began to wash them.</p>
+
+<p>"Be sure to get all the sand out of their eyes,"
+laughed Boiler Pan. "But first, will you help me
+jump up on the stove, and fill me?&mdash;then I can boil
+while you're 'ringing' the potatoes."</p>
+
+<p>This done, he was very quiet, while she finished the
+potatoes.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the clock struck eleven.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 122px;">
+<img src="images/i039a.jpg" width="122" height="275" alt="The clock struck eleven." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Why, I must hurry," exclaimed Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm ready," bubbled Boiler Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I'm coming," and she dropped the
+potatoes in one by one.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, put on my hat," said Boiler Pan, and Mary
+Frances put on the lid.</p>
+
+<p>"Are they all right?" asked the little girl.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 251px;">
+<img src="images/i039b.jpg" width="251" height="202" alt="Swelling with pride." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All right!" he answered in a muffled voice.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances then went in the dining-room, and
+busied herself about setting the table.</p>
+
+<p>Soon, she heard a "rumpus" in the kitchen. She
+ran out. Bubbles were sputtering over the sides of
+Boiler Pan, and the lid was dancing a jig.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do? What shall I do?" cried Mary
+Frances, jumping up and down.</p>
+
+<p>"This hat's crazy! Take it off, quick!" Boiler
+Pan besought her.</p>
+
+<p>Without thinking, she seized the lid with her
+fingers, but dropped it with a cry of pain.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm scalded, I'm scalded," she sobbed.
+"What will I do for it?" and she ran for some cold
+water.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do that, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin.
+"Butter it and then powder it with baking soda the
+way your mother does."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 93px;">
+<img src="images/i040a.jpg" width="93" height="393" alt="&quot;Don&#39;t do that child.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I'm so sorry," said Boiler Pan, "but I really
+couldn't get my old hat off. I should have told you
+to take a holder."</p>
+
+
+<p>"Never mind, it's better now. Those potatoes must
+be done. Yes," as she tried them with a fork, "even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+the biggest is done in the middle. I'm so glad, for I
+expect that boy any minute."</p>
+
+<p>"So'm I," said Boiler Pan, "for I feel the effect of
+this stren-u-os-i-ty."</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 303px;">
+<img src="images/i040b.jpg" width="303" height="222" alt="&quot;This hat&#39;s crazy!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Mary Frances pretended not to notice this
+speech, but carefully drained the water from the
+potatoes, and shook Boiler Pan over the fire to dry
+them off.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I&mdash;learned&mdash;that&mdash;that&mdash;wor&mdash;word&mdash;after
+year&mdash;years&mdash;of&mdash;stud&mdash;study," he said between the
+shakes, "and you&mdash;nev&mdash;never&mdash;notic&mdash;noticed&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But Billy was knocking.</p>
+
+<p>So Mary Frances, hastily putting Boiler Pan on the
+back of the stove, ran to let him in.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Sister! Here we are! Lunch ready?"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i041a.jpg" width="109" height="220" alt="&quot;Hello, Sister.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes, all ready. I'll put it on. You sit in Father's
+place, and we'll play we're grown up."</p>
+
+<p>"Scrumptious!" exclaimed Billy, as Mary Frances
+set the smoking dish of potatoes on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"What an excellent cook you must have, Madam,"
+he said, after his first taste. "Such good potatoes!"</p>
+
+<p>"I have ten," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 287px;">
+<img src="images/i041b.jpg" width="287" height="201" alt="&quot;Let&#39;s give it to Jubey.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Ten! You are fortunate, indeed, Madam," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+Billy, for all the world as though he were a grown-up
+young gentleman. "How quiet they keep."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i042a.jpg" width="114" height="268" alt="cat" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes," laughed Mary Frances, "but they're 'most
+always busy," and she held up her ten pink little fingers.</p>
+
+
+<p>"Oh, Billy," she added earnestly, "I'm so glad
+you like them&mdash;the potatoes, I mean. There is only
+one left&mdash;won't you have that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, let's give that to Jubey&mdash;Jubey might be
+hurt if you didn't let her try them. I would,&mdash;if I
+were Jubey."</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 545px;">
+<img src="images/i042b.jpg" width="545" height="487" alt="&quot;I have ten,&quot; said Mary Frances." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE POT-AND-KETTLE FIGHT</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i043a.jpg" width="111" height="241" alt="Looked pleased and important." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>"GOOD morning, Kitchen People," said Mary
+Frances, after breakfast next day, "this is
+a very important morning with me."</div>
+
+<p>The Kitchen People looked pleased and important,
+too.</p>
+
+
+<p>"You see, it's this way," she continued as she took
+her little book and sat in the rocking chair. "I am
+very anxious to get through every recipe in my cook
+book before Mother comes home, so I guess we'll just
+finish all the potato recipes to-day,&mdash;and give Billy a
+Potato Lunch! Won't that be fine?"</p>
+
+<p>The Kitchen People all smiled in approval.</p>
+
+<p>She went to the window.</p>
+
+<p>"O&mdash;h, Billy! Billy!" she called; "you're invited
+to a Potato Lunch in our dining-room at twelve
+o'clock."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 189px;">
+<img src="images/i043b.jpg" width="189" height="217" alt="&quot;O&mdash;h, Billy!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"All right, I'll be on time," answered Billy from the
+garden.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see," said Mary Frances to herself, "four<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+more recipes&mdash;about two potatoes each. Four times
+two,&mdash;eight."</p>
+
+<p>She washed the potatoes carefully, and had no
+sooner set about paring them, than the kitchen door
+opened, and in walked Aunt Maria.</p>
+
+<p>"What in the world is that child doing? Paring
+potatoes? Did I ever!&mdash;Such thin, close parings, too!
+How well she does it!&mdash;But you must drop them into
+cold water as soon as they are pared, child. I wish
+I could stay and show you how to cook, but duty calls
+me&mdash;I must be going!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i044a.jpg" width="109" height="448" alt="&quot;Drop them into cold water.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Mary Frances stepped to the door with her.</p>
+
+<p>"When I was your age, child, I could cook 'most
+everything and piece patch-work for quilts,"&mdash;and she
+kept Mary Frances on the porch ten minutes, telling
+her that little girls weren't brought up any more to be
+useful the way they were when she was a little girl.</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>*&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *</b></div>
+
+<p>"Oh, my lid!" sang Tea Kettle, as Mary Frances
+stepped back into the kitchen. "Oh, my aunt!&mdash;has
+the old lady went?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone!" said Big Iron Pot from the back of the
+stove.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 374px;">
+<img src="images/i044b.jpg" width="374" height="205" alt="&quot;Oh, my aunt!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Who dares correct me?" simmered Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"I dare," sputtered Iron Pot. "I dare,&mdash;and I
+dare tell you other things, too!"</p>
+<div>
+<img src="images/i045a.jpg" alt="steam" width="107" height="513" class="split" />
+<img src="images/i045b.jpg" alt="kettle" width="512" height="203" class="split" />
+</div><p>"You do, do you?" bubbled Tea Kettle. "You
+do! Well, what do you dare tell me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dare tell you, Mister," said Iron Pot, "that
+you've got a dirty face&mdash;yes, a black face."</p>
+
+<p>Tea Kettle, it was plain to be seen, was boiling mad.
+Steam blew out of his nose in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>Now, everybody who knows anything about a tea
+kettle can imagine how very angry Tea Kettle was.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he could get his breath, he blew steam
+all over Iron Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"My face is black, is it? Well, yours is black,&mdash;and
+it will soon be black and blue!"</p>
+
+<p>"You swallow them words!" and Iron Pot raised
+his queer little fists.</p>
+
+<p>"Sput!" mocked Tea Kettle, getting ready to
+spout again. "Take that!"</p>
+
+<p>Wang! came down the little fist,&mdash;but not on
+the lid of Tea Kettle. Oh, no; for just as that was
+going to happen, Mary Frances lifted him high in the
+air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p>
+<div>
+
+<img src="images/i046a.jpg" width="93" height="509" alt="more steam" title="" class="splitr" />
+
+
+<img src="images/i046b.jpg" width="538" height="220" alt="Rolling pin and kettle" title="" class="splitr" />
+</div>
+<p>"Let go of me! Let me at Iron Pot!" He was at
+white heat.</p>
+
+<p>"Be quiet!" said Mary Frances, shaking him quite
+hard. "What's all this about?"</p>
+
+<p>"Iron Pot commenced it!" sullenly simmered
+Tea Kettle. "Iron Pot called me names!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful!
+Now, you sit there!" She put Tea Kettle on the front
+of the stove.</p>
+
+<p>"And you, there!" She pulled Big Iron Pot as far
+back as she could.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, behave yourselves!"</p>
+
+<p>Then she sat down to rest.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes them quarrel so, I wonder," Mary
+Frances said half to herself. "All the Kitchen People
+seem so kind and helpful."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, don't you know, child?" asked Aunty
+Rolling Pin. "I thought everybody knew that
+story."</p>
+
+
+
+<p>A story! Mary Frances was always ready to listen
+to a story.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you tell me, please?"</p>
+
+<p>Aunty Rolling Pin cleared her voice, and rolled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+back an inch or two to a more comfortable place on the
+table.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, it's this way, child," she began.</p>
+
+<p>"In the days of your great-grandmother there were
+no stoves, only open fireplaces were used for cooking,&mdash;and
+kettles were just as black then as that old black
+Pot there.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"So, when the Pot called the Kettle black, the
+Kettle said:</p>
+
+<p>"'Black yourself!' and no harm was done.</p>
+
+<p>"But when your mother got that fine new cook
+stove, she bought that bright, shiny Kettle, too.</p>
+
+<p>"But that silly old Pot doesn't know that the new
+Kettle is bright and shiny, so it keeps on calling names.
+That Pot doesn't know it's fooling itself,&mdash;for all it
+sees is its own homely old black self in the shiny Kettle
+making faces.</p>
+
+<p>"And that's what comes of calling names, child,"
+chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin, as she ended her story.</p>
+
+<p>Then Mr. Tea Kettle puffed steam importantly,
+and clapped his little lid.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing more was said in the kitchen for several
+seconds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you!" at length said Mary Frances gratefully
+to Aunty Rolling Pin.</p>
+
+<p>Then she added, very firmly and gently to Iron
+Pot and Tea Kettle:</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to promise me never to call names
+again, either one of you, for it makes me feel so sad.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you promise?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I promise," brightly answered Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"I pro-promise," solemnly declared Big Iron Pot.</p>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'><div class="figright" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i047a.jpg" width="115" height="301" alt="kettle" title="" />
+</div></td><td align='left'><div class="figleft" style="width: 408px;">
+<img src="images/i047b.jpg" width="408" height="198" alt="In the days of your great grandmother" title="" />
+</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class="figleft" style="width: 106px;">
+<img src="images/i048a.jpg" width="106" height="231" alt="Kettles" title="" />
+</div></td><td align='left'><div class="figright" style="width: 527px;">
+<img src="images/i048b.jpg" width="527" height="478" alt="&quot;Why,&quot; said Mary Frances, &quot;this is disgraceful!&quot;" title="" />
+</div></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>A POTATO LUNCH</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i049a.jpg" width="109" height="263" alt="&quot;Yes,&quot; chimed in Mantel Clock" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"I'M&nbsp; &nbsp; so relieved," said Mary Frances with a sigh.</div>
+
+<p>"Now, I can hurry along the Potato Lunch."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock, "it's
+quarter past eleven. You have only three-quarters
+of an hour."</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"That's so!" said Mary Frances. "The next
+recipe is:</p>
+
+<div class='center'><span class="smcap">No. 5.&mdash;Baked Potatoes.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Choose potatoes of the same size&mdash;rather large.</p>
+
+<p>2. Scrub well, and wipe.</p>
+
+<p>3. Bake in a hot oven from 30 to 45 minutes, or until soft when
+pressed between thumb and fingers.</p>
+
+<p>4. Roll each between the fingers: this makes them mealy.</p>
+
+<p>5. Serve on a napkin.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Why, I won't need to pare those! I'll put two of
+these I've washed in the oven. The oven's grand and
+hot!</p>
+
+<p>"Let me see,&mdash;will all the others need paring?</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 364px;">
+<img src="images/i049b.jpg" width="364" height="128" alt="&quot;I won&#39;t need to pare those.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she laughed, "I didn't notice the heading
+of the chapter before&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Potatoes Without Jackets,'"</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 124px;">
+<img src="images/i050a.jpg" width="124" height="491" alt="Potatoes without jackets" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='center'><span class="smcap">No. 6.&mdash;Boiled Potatoes</span>.</div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Wash potatoes.</p>
+
+<p>2. Pare, throwing into cold water.</p>
+
+<p>3. Drain; cover with boiling water, allowing 1 tablespoon salt
+to every twelve potatoes.</p>
+
+<p>4. Let boil &frac12; hour, or until the largest is soft when pierced with a
+fork.</p>
+
+<p>5. Drain off all the water.</p>
+
+<p>6. Shake over fire, or place on back of stove to dry off the potatoes.</p></div>
+
+<div class='center'><span class="smcap">No. 7.&mdash;Mashed Potatoes</span>.</div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Boil potatoes. Drain; dry off.</p>
+
+<p>2. Mash in pan in which they were cooked.</p>
+
+<p>3. For every cupful, add</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 dash pepper,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 saltspoon salt,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; tablespoon butter (scant).</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>4. For every cupful, heat 2 tablespoons milk.</p>
+
+<p>5. Throw the heated milk on potatoes.</p>
+
+<p>6. Beat with a wire fork until creamy.</p>
+
+<p>7. Pile lightly on a hot dish. Serve uncovered.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 278px;">
+<img src="images/i050b.jpg" width="278" height="211" alt="Measuring Spoons" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 549px;">
+<img src="images/i051.jpg" width="549" height="742" alt="Billy&#39;s Potato Luncheon." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Note.</span>&mdash;Remember that all measurements are level or even with the
+top. To divide a spoonful, cut it through the middle lengthwise, for a half;
+and across that, for one-quarter of a spoonful.</p></div>
+
+<div class='center'><br /><span class="smcap">No. 8.&mdash;Potato Soup.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>Place on the table:</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 89px;">
+<img src="images/i052a.jpg" width="89" height="202" alt="Two cups of milk" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>3 freshly boiled potatoes</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 onion</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>parsley</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>flour dredger</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>pepper</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 pint milk (2 cups)</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Put the milk in the upper part of a double boiler, half filling
+the under part with boiling water.</p>
+
+<p>2. Throw in 2 slices of onion, and put double boiler on the stove
+for 10 minutes.</p>
+
+<p>3. Mash potatoes and add to the hot milk.</p>
+
+<p>4. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper.</p>
+
+<p>5. Put through a wire strainer, rubbing the potatoes through
+with a spoon.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 372px;">
+<img src="images/i052b.jpg" width="372" height="175" alt="To divide a spoonful" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>6. Put into double boiler and place on stove.</p>
+
+<p>7. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a little pan.</p>
+
+<p>8. Throw into it &frac12; tablespoon flour. Stir well.</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i053a.jpg" width="111" height="233" alt="&quot;I just hurry them along&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>9. Dip a little of the hot milk on this, stirring well, then pour
+into the soup.</p>
+
+<p>10. Let boil 10 minutes.</p>
+
+<p>11. Add 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. If too thick, add hot
+water or milk.</p>
+
+<p>12. Serve very hot.</p></div>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I know how to cook boiled potatoes! They're
+just like jacket-boiled, only they have their jackets
+off," she cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly," exclaimed Boiler Pan, which
+she had put on the stove half full of water, "I
+know my part&mdash;I just hurry them right along in a
+jiffy."</p>
+
+
+
+<p>He looked so interested that Mary Frances laughed
+as she dropped the potatoes in.</p>
+
+<p>"Are they all to be boi&mdash;boiled?" stuttered the
+bubbling Boiler Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mary Frances, "all except those I
+put in the oven. Listen! I'll tell you the menu for
+Billy's Potato Lunch. We'll begin, of course, with
+soup&mdash;Potato Soup."</p>
+
+<p>"'Pur&eacute;e' is the word for thick soups," suggested
+Boiler Pan. "It seems more stylish, don't you
+think?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed!" said Mary Frances. "I do believe
+I'll write a card for each of us to have at our places at
+the table!" and she quickly brought her school pad
+from her desk.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 302px;">
+<img src="images/i053b.jpg" width="302" height="166" alt="She brought her school pad." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then she wrote:</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<span class="smcap">Menu</span><br />
+<br />
+Billy's Potato Lunch<br />
+<br />
+Pur&eacute;e of Potato<br />
+Potatoes-in-the-Shell<br />
+Cold Meat      Mashed Potatoes<br />
+Sliced Bananas with Cream<br />
+Milk<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>"That 'Potato-in-the-Shell' sounds 'swell,'" said
+Coffee Pot, "but it seems to me you ought to have
+something to drink, like coffee, or something of that
+kind."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's true," Mary Frances replied, "but I
+don't know how to make coffee, and Mother said I
+must make everything in the order it came in my
+book&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you look to see if my turn doesn't come
+soon?" interrupted Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 116px;">
+<img src="images/i054a.jpg" width="116" height="241" alt="&quot;See if my turn doesn&#39;t come soon?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Not to-day," Mary Frances shook her head.
+"To-day we have milk.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 296px;">
+<img src="images/i054b.jpg" width="296" height="167" alt="&quot;To-day we have milk.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Why, to-morrow!" as she looked in her book.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+"Isn't that fine! But&mdash;those potatoes must be done.
+I should think so! A minute more, and they'd
+have been burned!" she said as she drained off the
+water.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, ready for the masher!"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite ready," said a little voice, and Mary Frances
+was not surprised to see Potato Masher tumble over the
+edge of Boiler Pan as she put him on the table.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 95px;">
+<img src="images/i055a.jpg" width="95" height="171" alt="&quot;Quite ready.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Push my head down hard!" said he in a thick,
+mushy voice, and Mary Frances did as he directed.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Potato Masher stopped work.</p>
+
+<p>"How will you know how much potato to put into
+the soup?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said Mary Frances, "there were only six
+boiled ones altogether, so the three for the soup will
+be just half."</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty good, pretty good for a little girl just learning
+to cook," Potato Masher said, and ducked his
+head into the potatoes again.</p>
+
+<p>When they were finished Mary Frances said:</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 420px;">
+<img src="images/i055b.jpg" width="420" height="200" alt="&quot;Push my head down hard&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"You know so much about potatoes, perhaps you
+can sit right up on that box," pointing to the sugar
+box, "and tell me when I make a mistake. I'm going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+to do 'xactly as my book says&mdash;you cry out, 'Stop!'
+when I do anything the wrong way."</p>
+
+<p>"It&mdash;will&mdash;be&mdash;the&mdash;day&mdash;of&mdash;my&mdash;life&mdash;ever&mdash;to&mdash;be&mdash;remembered&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Potato Masher ran his words together clumsily&mdash;"But
+I should be very much obliged to you if you would
+first wash my face."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i056a.jpg" width="107" height="228" alt="&quot;First wash my face.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly," said Mary Frances. "I didn't
+like to suggest it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you kindly, Miss. 'Tis a pleasure to serve
+you," said the little fellow, as he perched himself on
+the sugar box, when Mary Frances brought him back
+to the table.</p>
+
+<p>"All ready?" asked the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Class proceed!" said Potato Masher, with a school
+teacher air.</p>
+
+<p>Only twice did he interrupt her as she followed
+every direction given in the recipes: once, to remind
+her of the potatoes in the oven; and again, to tell
+her to pour the soup very slowly, lest she burn
+herself.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 266px;">
+<img src="images/i056b.jpg" width="266" height="199" alt="&quot;Class proceed&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"It's mag-nif-i-cent!&mdash;this Potato Lunch," said he,
+as Mary Frances carried the last smoking dish to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+dining table. "'Tis a proud day for the 'Assistant
+Chef'&mdash;meaning myself."</p>
+
+<p>He made a pompous little bow toward the Kitchen
+Folks.</p>
+
+<p>"I little thought she'd be on time. I was afraid
+I'd have to strike before she was ready," declared
+Mantel Clock, beginning to strike twelve just as Billy
+came in.</p>
+
+<p>"Menus!" exclaimed the boy.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i057a.jpg" width="110" height="272" alt="&quot;Menus!&quot; exclaimed the boy." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Jimminy! 'Billy's Potato Lunch,'" he read.
+"Oh, I say&mdash;if I'd known I'd have dressed for the
+occasion!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't make fun, Billy," begged Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"'Make fun,'" cried Billy. "Just taste that
+soup&mdash;and see if anyone could make fun. It's fit for
+the President."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh&mdash;Billy!" Mary Frances laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe you think I don't mean it," said Billy,
+helping himself to mashed potatoes. "Why didn't you
+invite some company?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know that Potato Masher&mdash;I mean, I
+didn't know it would turn out so well," blushed Mary
+Frances.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 387px;">
+<img src="images/i057b.jpg" width="387" height="178" alt="&quot;I little thought she&#39;d be on time.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i058a.jpg" width="112" height="279" alt="Pot and potatoes" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Invite somebody&mdash;can't I bring Bob and Eleanor
+over some day soon to lunch?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes,'" said Mary Frances, "if Aunt Maria&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, by the way," said Billy "I 'most forgot!
+Aunt Maria had word her brother is sick at Upland, and
+she went to see him this morning, and can't possibly
+be back in time for breakfast. I guessed we'd make
+out O. K. I told her&mdash;I was thinking of our lunches,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Billy&mdash;really?" asked Mary Frances, "but I'm
+sorry for Aunt Maria's brother."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 527px;">
+<img src="images/i058b.jpg" width="527" height="447" alt="&quot;Thank you kindly, Miss.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>MARY FRANCES GETS BREAKFAST</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i059a.jpg" width="107" height="210" alt="Mother&#39;s last letter." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>MARY FRANCES was a long time getting to
+sleep that night for thinking about breakfast.</div>
+
+<p>She had her little cook book, and Mother's last
+letter under her pillow.</p>
+
+<p>"Billy writes your lunches are 'scrumptious,'" ran
+her mother's letter. "I cannot tell how much comfort
+my little girl is to me."</p>
+
+
+<p>"I've 'most a mind to tell Mother about the cook
+book," thought Mary Frances, "but won't she open
+her eyes when I tell her I've made everything&mdash;if I
+can keep the secret! I do hope I wake up in time.
+Father said he'd call me to breakfast, when he said
+"Good-night," but I want to slip down, and have
+everything ready when he comes."</p>
+
+<p>So she fell asleep, and dreamed she made an Angel
+Cake as big as a mountain, and that Jubey stole it, and
+fed all the hungry cats in the World.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 472px;">
+<img src="images/i059b.jpg" width="472" height="200" alt="Jubey fed all the hungry cats in the world." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>She had fixed the curtain so that the first sunlight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+would fall on her face, and it seemed only a breath of
+time until she felt it call her.</p>
+
+<p>How sleepy she was!</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get down before the Kitchen Folks are awake,"
+she whispered.</p>
+
+<p>She carried her little shoes in her hand and stole
+softly downstairs, stopping in the dining-room to put
+them on.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, you!" she recognized the voice of Tea
+Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait till I read it out of my little book,"
+mimicked a new voice.</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 119px;">
+<img src="images/i060a.jpg" width="119" height="258" alt="To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut." title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"For shame, you saucy Pan!" exclaimed Big Iron Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait until I read it!"</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances peeped into the kitchen. In the
+middle of the floor stood little Sauce Pan, pretending to
+read out of a book:</p>
+
+<p>"'How to Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Silly!" exclaimed Potato Masher.</p>
+
+<p>Sauce Pan repeated:</p>
+
+<p>"To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut:</p>
+
+<p>"1. Fill eight potatoes with Sauer-kraut, and peel
+them.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 385px;">
+<img src="images/i060b.jpg" width="385" height="225" alt="&quot;For shame, you saucy Pan!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"2. Make a crust of the left-overs.</p>
+
+<p>"3. Bake the parings well, and serve very hot on ice."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Mary Frances sneezed.</p>
+
+<p>How Sauce Pan ran, and jumped up to his place
+on the rack!</p>
+
+<p>He looked so shamefaced when Mary Frances went
+in, that she hadn't the heart to scold him.</p>
+
+<p>Instead, "Boiled Eggs," she called.</p>
+
+<p>He pretended to be asleep. Then she took him by
+the arm and shook him.</p>
+
+<p>"Boiled Eggs!" she shouted. "Doesn't that
+mean you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," he said meekly; "I'm such a
+'sleepy-head!' Do you know," con-fi-den-ti-al-ly, "I
+often talk in my sleep." At this the Kitchen People
+grinned.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i061a.jpg" width="107" height="231" alt="He pretended to be asleep." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Ahem!" said Mary Frances, "It's a dangerous
+habit. Sometimes people tell stories when they're
+awake, too," she added as she stepped out to get the
+milk.</p>
+
+<p>"Is 'Old Puff-away' ready?" asked Sauce Pan of
+Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 434px;">
+<img src="images/i061b.jpg" width="434" height="180" alt="&quot;I can scarcely wait till I&#39;m needed&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"If you mean Tea Kettle, Saucy," answered Coffee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+Pot excitedly, "I hope so, for I can scarcely wait till
+I'm needed."</p>
+
+<p>Tea Kettle gave two extra puffs of steam, but otherwise
+took no notice.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know you'll be used?" Sauce Pan
+asked of Coffee Pot, nudging Pie Plate who was near him.</p>
+
+<p>"I come next in the book&mdash;and, besides, I'm always
+used for breakfast." Coffee Pot was beginning to
+get angry.</p>
+
+<p>"Bet we have eggs,&mdash;eggs, and toast, and&mdash;<i>tea!</i>
+Yes, I bet it's <i>tea</i> for B. this morning."</p>
+
+<p>Sauce Pan kept on saying, "Tea for B." so long
+that Coffee Pot began to cry:</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i062a.jpg" width="111" height="402" alt="Coffee Pot began to cry" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='poem'>
+"Eggs and toast and tea,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">That doesn't mean me.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Coffee is better&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Though not wetter&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For breakfast</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Than tea, tea, tea."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<p>"Tee-hee&mdash;Tee-hee&mdash;Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan,
+pointing to Coffee Pot tan-ta-liz-ing-ly, who began to
+cry in earnest.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 481px;">
+<img src="images/i062b.jpg" width="481" height="207" alt="&quot;Tee-hee&mdash;Tee-hee!&quot; giggled Sauce Pan." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why, what's the matter with Coffee Pot?" Mary
+Frances asked when she came in. "Is it possible
+Aunt Maria forgot to dry you last night?"</p>
+
+<p>Nobody said anything&mdash;and Sauce Pan hastily
+ran toward the stove.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait," called Mary Frances, "wait a minute until
+I can look in my book&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I can say it without any book&mdash;we all know
+our own tricks," boasted Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Mary Frances, "say it&mdash;that will
+save time."</p>
+
+<p>So he began.</p>
+
+<p>"B'iled eggs&mdash;excuse me!&mdash;boiled eggs," he corrected,
+seeing Mary Frances' stern face.</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 9.&mdash;Boiled Eggs.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Put eggs in sauce pan.</p>
+
+<p>2. Cover with boiling Water.</p>
+
+<p>3. Place where the water will keep hot 6 to 10 minutes. A quicker
+method is to boil eggs very gently 3 or 4 minutes.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 127px;">
+<img src="images/i063a.jpg" width="127" height="269" alt="Boiled eggs." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 316px;">
+<img src="images/i063b.jpg" width="316" height="215" alt="&quot;That&#39;s what Nora said&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Why!" exclaimed Mary Frances, "I thought you
+dropped the eggs into boiling water for three minutes
+or more, 'accordin'&mdash;that's what Nora said. I asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+her what 'accordin' meant, and she said 'accordin'
+to the tastes of them that eats them&mdash;soft or hard."</p>
+
+<p>"I was speaking of the best way," declared Sauce
+Pan glancing loftily at Mary Frances. "There is
+no end of ways to do it, but this is the scientific way
+to cook eggs so that they will be soft, but cooked all the
+way through and easily digested&mdash;not liquid inside
+a hard, white coat. In other Words&mdash;Ahem! the
+al-bu-men (white of egg) cooks much better at a lower
+than a higher temperature."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 119px;">
+<img src="images/i064a.jpg" width="119" height="229" alt="Glancing loftily at Mary Frances" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Whew!" whistled Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder how it is in my book." Mary Frances
+turned to the page. "Exactly as you said!" she
+exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course!" declared Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"Bet he peeped into the book," whispered Coffee
+Pot to Toaster.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 376px;">
+<img src="images/i064b.jpg" width="376" height="220" alt="&quot;Bet he peeped into the book.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Sauce Pan continued: It is somewhat the same
+way with</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 10.&mdash;Hard-boiled Eggs.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Put eggs in sauce pan.</p>
+
+<p>2. Cover them with boiling water.</p>
+
+<p>3. Place on fire where the water will boil but <i>very</i> gently 20 minutes.</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thinks he knows it all," grumbled Coffee Pot;
+"he'll be like the frog; he'll burst with pride if he keeps
+this up."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, well!" said Mary Frances, "I certainly
+am surprised at what you know."</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"A Sauce Pan is a funny thing,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Needed by every lassie,&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Although it may be full of sauce</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">It may not yet be sassy,"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>sang the little fellow, dancing on the stove.</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 136px;">
+<img src="images/i065a.jpg" width="136" height="345" alt="&quot;A Sauce Pan is a funny thing.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Old Puff-away," he began.</p>
+
+<p>"That will do!" said Mary Frances, and proceeded
+to pour out the hot water. "Tea Kettle is
+my right-hand man. Don't you dare say another
+word until I speak to you"&mdash;as she put in the eggs,
+and drew him to the back of the stove.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, I'll make the coffee."</p>
+
+<p>At her side stood Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you ready?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite ready," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it really my turn?" he asked again.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," smiled Mary Frances, "it is!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 357px;">
+<img src="images/i065b.jpg" width="357" height="226" alt="&quot;He&#39;ll be like the frog.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then he began to recite ex-cit-ed-ly:</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 11.&mdash;Coffee.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Put into coffee pot 1 rounded tablespoon ground coffee for
+each cup needed.</p>
+
+<p>2. Pour on boiling water, allowing 1 cup to every tablespoon
+coffee used.</p>
+
+<p>3. Let come to a boil three times, stirring down each time.</p>
+
+<p>4. Draw off the fire. Pour in 1 tablespoon cold water for each cup.</p>
+
+<p>5. Let stand in a warm place 3 minutes to settle grounds. Serve.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 113px;">
+<img src="images/i066a.jpg" width="113" height="216" alt="&quot;I think my heart is affected&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>If not used immediately, strain into another warmed pot.</p></div>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 353px;">
+<img src="images/i066b.jpg" width="353" height="196" alt="&quot;Oh, yes,&quot; giggled Sauce Pan." title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"You might pour out the first cupful to clear the
+nose&mdash;I mean, spout&mdash;then pour it back again."</p>
+
+<p>He stopped for breath.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i067a.jpg" width="112" height="249" alt="glasses" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Thank you, Coffee Pot," smiled Mary Frances,
+in praise, "how interested and wide awake you are!"</p>
+
+<p>"I never sleep much," confided Coffee Pot. "I
+believe it's the coffee&mdash;just 'cat naps,' you know.
+I sometimes think my heart is affected&mdash;I'm so easily
+stirred up,&mdash;although I always feel well."</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"If you always feel well," laughed Mary Frances,
+"I guess your heart is all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan, "he's awfully good-hearted."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Didn't I tell you,&mdash;'not another word' until I
+spoke to you?" said Mary Frances to Sauce Pan, as
+she lifted Coffee Pot to the table, and measured out
+the coffee and water.</p>
+
+<p>After she had followed his directions entirely, she
+made the toast.</p>
+
+<p>Toaster Man was so sleepy, he didn't say a word
+except, "You'll do it right, I know," and fell asleep
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Just then, Mary Frances heard her father call.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 518px;">
+<img src="images/i067b.jpg" width="518" height="467" alt="&quot;Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i068a.jpg" width="115" height="236" alt="She ran to put some oranges on the table" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"MARY FRANCES, dear, you can get up
+now," her father was saying.</div>
+
+<p>"Why, where is my little girl?"</p>
+
+<p>She knew he was looking in her bedroom.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, Father," she called; "I'm up and
+dressed&mdash;and downstairs&mdash;and, Father, wait a minute;
+breakfast is almost ready. I'll call you in a
+minute."</p>
+
+<p>She ran to put some oranges on the table.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 470px;">
+<img src="images/i068b.jpg" width="470" height="201" alt="&quot;Why I never was so surprised in my life&quot;" title="" /></div>
+
+
+<p>"You can come now, you and Brother," she then
+called. "You sit right down and eat your oranges, as
+I bring in the other things."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, dear," said her father; "but first I want
+my good-morning kiss."</p>
+
+<p>"A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances,
+throwing her arms around him as he lifted her up.</p>
+
+<p>"You stole a march on your old father this morning,
+all right," laughed her father. "Breakfast,
+indeed! Why, I never was so surprised in my life."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Brother," said Mary Frances, kissing Billy;
+"you and Father sit down, and I'll bring in the
+coffee."</p>
+
+<p>She flew into the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>Such a place! So thick with smoke and steam that
+all the Kitchen People were coughing.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! dear!" cried Mary Frances, the tears
+coming fast. "Everything's burnt up! Why, didn't
+you call me, Sillies? To sit here and let the toast
+burn up!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i069a.jpg" width="115" height="337" alt="&quot;Why didn&#39;t you call me, Sillies?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I <i>did</i> call you," cried Coffee Pot, sputtering
+more coffee over on the stove, "but I couldn't make
+you hear."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 343px;">
+<img src="images/i069b.jpg" width="343" height="175" alt="&quot;I&mdash;I did call you.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you call?" asked Mary Frances of
+Sauce Pan with a sob.</p>
+
+<p>"You told me not to speak until you spoke to
+me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I was asleep," interrupted Toaster.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you talking to, Mary Frances?" asked
+her father. "Aren't you nearly ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sh&mdash;sh!" Warned Mary Frances, with uplifted
+finger&mdash;then aloud:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Father, I'm so disappointed! I had everything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+ready so nice and hot, and now everything's
+burnt up! Oh, de&mdash;ar, oh, oh, oh, de&mdash;ar!"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Honey," said her father, kissing
+away her tears. "Never mind! There's no hurry this
+morning, I'll fix the fire and you do it all over again."</p>
+
+<p>"But I've wasted all the eggs&mdash;they're as hard
+as bricks&mdash;they cooked twenty minutes. I forgot
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"They'll be fine in our salad to-night," said Brother;
+"I love hard-boiled eggs that way."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 121px;">
+<img src="images/i070a.jpg" width="121" height="181" alt="&quot;They&#39;ll be fine in our salad.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Brother, you run out in the garden," said her
+father, "Sister is going to have our breakfast ready in
+a very few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do that," cried Billy, "and I'll have a fine
+appetite."</p>
+
+<p>When they went into the kitchen Mary Frances saw
+Sauce Pan whisper something to Coffee Pot, but her
+father didn't notice. He quickly fixed the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Father," begged Mary Frances, "please let
+me do it and I'll have everything on the table in no
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"Ho-ho! little Miss Housekeeper doesn't need any
+help. Very well!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 483px;">
+<img src="images/i070b.jpg" width="483" height="177" alt="Sauce Pan whispered something to Coffee Pot." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 96px;">
+<img src="images/i071a.jpg" width="96" height="264" alt="&quot;It keeps me so sad.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I did need help with the fire, Father," said Mary
+Frances; "it was a great help, but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"All right, Girlie," said Father, "I'll read my paper;
+you call us when you're ready."</p>
+
+<p>In a very few minutes she did call them, and a fine
+breakfast it was, too; for Mary Frances knew <i>how</i> so
+well that not a minute was wasted.</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't she the loveliest cook," whispered Coffee
+Pot to Sauce Pan, as Mary Frances disappeared
+through the dining room door with the eggs.</p>
+
+<p>"Loveliest ever!" said Sauce Pan. "I really was
+afraid to call her for fear her father would hear. I'm
+so sorry&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," nodded Toaster Man, "I can't seem to get
+it off my mind. It keeps me so sad&mdash;won't you tell
+us a story?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't get it off my mind, either," said Sauce Pan,
+with a sob, "but I'll do my best. Here goes:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Our little Miss sat down and cried,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And called her Sauce Pan to her,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'I feel so berry bad inside,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I wish you'd (h)eat some sugar.'"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 447px;">
+<img src="images/i071b.jpg" width="447" height="203" alt="&quot;I can&#39;t get it off my mind, either.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 113px;">
+<img src="images/i072a.jpg" width="113" height="239" alt="bowl" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, silly!" interrupted Toaster Man, "don't
+make fun,&mdash;besides, you know that's not true."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied Sauce Pan, "I thought you wanted
+a story!"</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh!" puffed Tea Kettle, "What a poor pun!
+I should think you'd all be tired out. Let's take a nap."</p>
+
+<p>"I just want to say I love our little Miss just the
+same," said Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"And I!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I!" cried all the Kitchen People.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 535px;">
+<img src="images/i072b.jpg" width="535" height="479" alt="&quot;A kiss and a bear hug,&quot; laughed Mary Frances." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i073a.jpg" width="115" height="219" alt="&quot;I&#39;d like to know why not&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>"OH, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah," yawned
+Tea Kettle next morning, stretching his
+funny little arms. "Oh, I say," he shouted,
+"Wake up! We've overslept. Wake up, everybody!
+Where's our little mistress, I wonder?"</div>
+
+<p>"Nice memory,&mdash;yours!" drawled Sauce Pan.
+"Don't you remember they all went over to Aunt
+Maria Hush's for dinner Saturday night, and for
+Sunday?"</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 413px;">
+<img src="images/i073b.jpg" width="413" height="191" alt="&quot;Oh, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p>"Aunt Maria Hush!" roared Tea Kettle. "That's
+not her name!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to know why not," said Sauce Pan.
+"Every time I go to say anything when she's here,
+somebody says, 'Keep still&mdash;that's Aunt Maria,&mdash;Hush!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ho, ho, ho, hee-hee-hee!" laughed all the Kitchen
+People.</p>
+
+<p>"That meant, 'Be still,' Goosie," Tea Kettle
+explained.</p>
+<div>
+<img src="images/i074b.jpg" alt="chimney" width="108" height="510" class="splitr" />
+<img src="images/i074a.jpg" alt="aunt and stove" width="546" height="196" class="splitr" />
+</div>
+
+<p>When Aunt Maria and Mary Frances came into the
+kitchen later, the old lady was talking.</p>
+
+<p>"Very creditable, child," she said, looking at the
+shelves, all in order, "very creditable indeed. I can't
+understand it&mdash;with no one to show you how to&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I have my little book," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Book!</i>" sniffed Aunt Maria, putting the breakfast
+cereal on to cook. "<i>Book!</i> A <i>book</i> can't tell you
+exactly when a piece of toast is brown enough, or a
+potato just done enough to be mealy, nor how to keep
+a pan from burning. Book! It's talent! That's
+what it is! Blood will tell. You inherited it from me.
+I never burnt pans&mdash;never in my life&mdash;there's no excuse
+for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, thinking of the
+ruined breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>"Go up, and open the beds to air," commanded
+Aunt Maria.</p>
+
+<p>When Mary Frances got back, she could scarcely
+see across the kitchen for smoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire!" screamed Aunt Maria, making for Boiler
+Pan on the stove.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 529px;">
+<img src="images/i075.jpg" width="529" height="722" alt="&quot;Book!&quot; sniffed Aunt Maria, &quot;Book!&mdash;It&#39;s Talent!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I thought the house was on fire," she panted,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+snatching it up. "Oh,&mdash;oh, I wish I had my smelling
+salts! The porridge is all burnt up! What a disgrace!"</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances felt very sorry for her, but when she
+saw Sauce Pan and Coffee Pot holding their queer little
+fists over their mouths to keep from laughing out, and
+when she remembered how funny the old lady looked
+making across the kitchen in two steps, she ran back
+into the dining room to laugh.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i076a.jpg" width="109" height="288" alt="She ran into the dining room to laugh" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I must stop," she'd say to herself&mdash;and the more
+she'd say it, the more she'd laugh. "This is dreadful,
+Mary Frances," she'd scold herself; "but, oh, my,
+wasn't it funny!"&mdash;and away she'd go again.</p>
+
+<p>At length she Went back upstairs until Aunt Maria
+called,</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+"Breakfast!"<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Even at the table she couldn't look at Aunt Maria
+without laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked Brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't ask me!" Mary Frances begged, hiding
+her face.</p>
+
+<p>She didn't dare go into the kitchen until after her
+aunt had gone, for fear of disgracing herself laughing.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 383px;">
+<img src="images/i076b.jpg" width="383" height="183" alt="To keep from laughing out." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 116px;">
+<img src="images/i077a.jpg" width="116" height="458" alt="Smiling pots and pans" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>When she did go out to look up her next lesson in
+her little book, Boiler Pan walked dolefully up to her,
+holding out a piece of sand-paper.</p>
+
+<p>He looked so funny with a big black spot on one
+eye!</p>
+
+<p>Bowing, he began to recite:</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course, you never burn your pans,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Of course, no more do I;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But, should such sad things happen,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">A piece of this just try."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"I will!" exclaimed Mary Frances; and in less
+than a twinkle had rubbed all the burnt spots off.</p>
+
+<p>"My,&mdash;that's better; thank you," brightly beamed
+Boiler Pan.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances sat down on the rocking chair, and
+opened her book.</p>
+
+<p>"Tea! Omelet!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that
+nice!"</p>
+
+<p>Just then came a knock at the kitchen door.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 538px;">
+<img src="images/i077b.jpg" width="538" height="274" alt="&quot;I thought the house was on fire!&quot; she panted." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE TRAMP</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 113px;">
+<img src="images/i078a.jpg" width="113" height="460" alt="Mary Frances peeped out of the window" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>MARY FRANCES peeped out of the open
+window. A tramp!</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear,&mdash;shall I open the door?"
+thought the frightened little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, Miss,"&mdash;the oldest, hungriest-looking
+tramp she ever saw looked down at her, taking off his
+worn out cap. "Please, Miss&mdash;a cup o' tea&mdash;anything?
+I am that tired and faint."</p>
+
+<p>He caught hold the railing.</p>
+
+<p>"Tea!&mdash;my next lesson!" thought Mary
+Frances.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 479px;">
+<img src="images/i078b.jpg" width="479" height="192" alt="&quot;Please, Miss&mdash;a cup o&#39; tea&mdash;anything?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"That's easy and quick! and Tea Kettle is just
+beginning to boil. How awfully cold and hungry the
+poor man looks!"</p>
+
+
+<p>"Wait a minute," she called.</p>
+
+<p>"I almost know how to make tea,&mdash;but I'd better
+look at the recipe. Where'd I put my book? Oh,
+here it is,&mdash;open to the place," she spoke softly.</p>
+
+
+<p>Then she read the directions for making<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 12.&mdash;Tea.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Half fill the teapot with boiling water. Let stand until thoroughly
+hot. Pour out.</p>
+
+<p>2. Put into it 1 teaspoon tea for each cup needed.</p>
+
+<p>3. Pour in freshly boiling water, allowing 1 cup to every teaspoon
+tea.</p>
+
+<p>4. Let stand for 5 minutes in a very warm place, but do not let
+it boil. Stir, and serve.</p>
+
+<p>If not used immediately, strain into another heated pot.</p></div>
+
+<p>Very soon she had filled the largest cup she could
+find in the closet, and handed it to the tramp.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the bonniest cup o' tea I've drank for
+mony a year, Miss," said he. "It tastes like the auld
+country, shure."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i079a.jpg" width="112" height="226" alt="Half fill the teapot with boiling water." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Like the old country!" thought Mary Frances.
+"That's the funniest way for anything to taste I ever
+heard of. Maybe he's so hungry he's a little bit out of
+his head. Oh, I know what I'll do! I'll make an omelet
+for him! I don't believe he's eaten omelet since&mdash;maybe,
+since he was as little as I am&mdash;maybe a hundred
+years. He looks a hundred years old, I'm sure. I hope
+I have eggs to make one&mdash;oh, yes, I know there are
+enough. Where's the recipe? Oh, here it is!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 388px;">
+<img src="images/i079b.jpg" width="388" height="213" alt="The largest cup she could find." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 13.&mdash;Omelet</span>.</div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>Two eggs to each person.</p>
+
+<p>1. Separate yolks and whites, putting them into different bowls.</p>
+
+<p>2. Add dash of salt to whites, and dash of salt and white pepper
+to yolks.</p>
+
+<p>3. Add cold water to whites, allowing 1 teaspoon to each.</p>
+
+<p>4. Add cold water to yolks, allowing 1 tablespoon to each.</p>
+
+<p>5. Beat both very light.</p>
+
+<p>6. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a smooth frying pan.</p>
+
+<p>7. Pour in yolks. Let cook a moment.</p>
+
+<p>8. Spread whites over yolks, making a little hole in the center
+for steam to escape.</p>
+
+<p>9. Cook slowly for 5 minutes, or until the puffed up whites look
+dry.</p>
+
+<p>10. Fold one half over the other.</p>
+
+<p>11. Turn out on a warm platter.</p>
+
+<p>12. Trim with parsley and serve at once.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i080a.jpg" width="109" height="229" alt="Separate yolks and whites." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"That's not so easy," thought the little girl, "but
+I guess I can manage it&mdash;he'll not be very par-tic-u-lar."</p>
+
+<p>But she had very little trouble; for she read what
+her mother had written; and followed each direction
+exactly, all the way through the recipe.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 202px;">
+<img src="images/i080b.jpg" width="202" height="134" alt="The omelet." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 528px;">
+<img src="images/i081a.jpg" width="528" height="716" alt="&quot;Blessin&#39;s on ye, Little Miss,&quot; said the tramp." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Blessin's on ye, Miss," said the tramp, as Mary
+Frances carried the smoking dish out on the porch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+to him with a slice of bread and butter. "You've got a
+kind heart, you 'ave, to be shure. Ain't that&mdash;whatever
+it is&mdash;a beauty!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is real pretty," said Mary Frances, feeling quite
+proud. "I just made it for you. I'm learning to cook.
+My mother's away&mdash;and I'm here all alone just now
+except for Jubey and the Kitchen F&mdash;&mdash; (she caught
+herself just in time). Jubey is the kitten, you know.
+My lessons just came to Omelet, and&mdash;why, what's
+the matter with it?" she cried, dismayed. "It's all
+fallen flat! I wonder if I got it done. It gets flatter
+and flatter."</p>
+
+<p>The tears sprang to her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she
+said.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i082a.jpg" width="112" height="254" alt="&quot;Why, what&#39;s the matter with it?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, never mind, Miss," said the tramp; "I ain't
+been chooser for mony a day&mdash;and this 'ere homelet,
+or whatever it is, will be all right, all right,"&mdash;and he
+hungrily began to eat.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to be made out o' nothin'&mdash;and
+yet it is powerful good," said he between bites,
+as it fast disappeared, much to Mary Frances'
+delight.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 295px;">
+<img src="images/i082b.jpg" width="295" height="196" alt="&quot;Oh, never mind, Miss.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"It's made out of beaten eggs," said she. "First,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+you take the eggs and break the shells, and put the
+yolks in one bowl and the&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Miss, I know what made it flounder."</p>
+
+<p>"Flounder? Flounder? 'Flat as a flounder,'"
+thought Mary Frances&mdash;"he means flatten."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" she asked eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the breeze! The cool air plays the&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Mary Frances!"<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">"Mary Frances!"</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Mary Frances!"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i083a.jpg" width="103" height="233" alt="&quot;Be gone!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Her father came into the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's there? Why, my dear little girl, what are
+you doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm&mdash;I've got company," Mary Frances stammered,
+not liking to say tramp. "That is&mdash;I&mdash;oh,
+Father, this gentleman was so hungry&mdash;and I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Go into the house&mdash;and I shall see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Be gone!" thundered her father to the tramp,
+pointing to the gate.</p>
+
+<p>"Begging pardon, sir," said the tramp, touching
+his cap, "but may I say one word?"</p>
+
+<p>"Make it short."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 304px;">
+<img src="images/i083b.jpg" width="304" height="172" alt="&quot;May I say one word?&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'd do anything for the young lady&mdash;not let a
+'air o' 'er 'ead be 'urt. Please don't be too 'ard on
+'er."</p>
+
+<p>"You may go," said Mary Frances' father. "Are
+you hungry yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, sir,&mdash;thank you, sir," said the tramp.
+"Thanks to 'er."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless 'er little 'eart," her father heard him murmuring,
+as he went out the gate.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless her dear, loving little heart!" echoed her
+father.</p>
+
+<p>"The poor dear 'lamb' should not have been left
+alone! I thought Billy was here. But she must have
+her lesson!"</p>
+
+<p>Going into the kitchen, he took Mary Frances on
+his knee.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear," he began gravely, "suppose the old tramp
+had not had kind thoughts. Suppose, when my little
+girl opened the door, he had hurt her, and had taken
+mother's nice things, or had stolen our dear little
+daughter&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 119px;">
+<img src="images/i084a.jpg" width="119" height="250" alt="&quot;Are you hungry yet?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 358px;">
+<img src="images/i084b.jpg" width="358" height="209" alt="&quot;Dear,&quot; he began gravely." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"But, Father," said Mary Frances, "he was a
+lovely gentleman! I feel quite sure he was going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+tell me a beautiful story about when he was little&mdash;maybe
+a hundred years ago&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i085a.jpg" width="114" height="413" alt="moon" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Mary Frances, listen, child! Never, when you
+are alone, unlock the door to any man or woman you
+do not know. Understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Father," said Mary Frances; "I didn't
+mean to be bad."</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear; but it would be very naughty indeed
+for you to do so again. Do you promise?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Father, said Mary Frances, hiding her face"
+on his shoulder. "I'll never, never do it again, dear
+Father."</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>"Humph!" grumbled Aunty Rolling Pin, after they
+had gone into the library, "I'd have warned her&mdash;only
+I was afraid the tramp gentleman might hear!"</p>
+
+<p>"So would we all of us," cried the rest of the Kitchen
+People.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i085b.jpg" width="540" height="323" alt="&quot;It tastes like the auld country, shure.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>COMPANY TO LUNCH</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 123px;">
+<img src="images/i086a.jpg" width="123" height="276" alt="&quot;Pug Nose.&quot; &quot;Well, Nosey.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>MARY FRANCES listened at the kitchen door
+before going in next morning. She wanted
+to find out what the Kitchen People might
+be doing.</div>
+
+<p>"It isn't exactly eavesdropping," she thought,
+"although it seems awfully near to it."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you find it?" somebody was asking.</p>
+
+<p>"Seems to be having trouble," said Tea Pot. "Of
+course, he can't very well find out&mdash;being so short
+and fat, and having no nose to speak of."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Nosey," answered Coffee Pot, "suppose you
+try&mdash;your nose is long enough to poke into anything!"</p>
+
+<p>"So much the better for me this time, Pug Nose."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say, stop calling names, and find out&mdash;if you
+can," cried Big Iron Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet it's my turn again!" interrupted Sauce
+Pan. "Now, see if I'm not right."</p>
+
+<p>"He's peeped already," declared Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"'Deed, I haven't," very earnestly.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 415px;">
+<img src="images/i086b.jpg" width="415" height="216" alt="&quot;Oh, say, stop calling names.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 117px;">
+<img src="images/i087a.jpg" width="117" height="207" alt="&quot;Oh, yes, here it is.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, say, Tea Pot, if you're any good, get to work!
+See if he's right. Can you do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Tea Pot rather breathlessly. (It
+seemed to Mary Frances as if he were lifting a heavy
+weight.) "Yes, here is the place. Somebody else read;
+I'm too tired."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll read," said Sauce Pan. "What was the last?
+Oh, yes, here it is, just as I said!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, go 'way! Don't let him read," said Coffee
+Pot; "he'll make it up."</p>
+
+<p>"Read yourself, then, Pug Nose!"</p>
+
+<p>Then Coffee Pot's voice:</p>
+
+<p>"I declare! He's right! It is his turn again. Listen!</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 14.&mdash;White Sauce.</span></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>2 tablespoons butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 tablespoons flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup hot milk</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>dash of pepper</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Melt butter in a sauce pan.</p>
+
+<p>2. Mix pepper and salt with flour.</p>
+
+<p>3. Throw into the butter, stirring thoroughly. Cook until it
+bubbles a little.</p>
+
+<p>4. Pour 1/3 of the milk very slowly on this, stirring and beating well.</p>
+
+<p>5. Place over fire and stir in the rest of the milk a little at a time.</p>
+
+<p>6. Let boil a minute.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 309px;">
+<img src="images/i087b.jpg" width="309" height="178" alt="&quot;I declare! He&#39;s right!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Pug Nose&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stop calling names," said Iron Pot.</p>
+
+<p>("Good!" thought Mary Frances.)</p>
+
+<p>"Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire," said Sauce
+Pan, mockingly. (Mary Frances could easily imagine
+him bowing.) "Allow me to call your attention to
+the un-im-peach-able ver-ac-i-ty of myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Crazier and crazier!" commented Coffee Pot,
+sadly. "Did you say anything?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Sauce Pan, "to put it into kindergarten
+words, I remarked, Sauce Pan, meaning myself, has
+rightly been likened to George Washington&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 159px;">
+<img src="images/i088a.jpg" width="159" height="242" alt="&quot;Likened to George Washington&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Aw&mdash;!" puffed Tea Kettle, "what I'm more
+interested in is the book. What do they use White
+Sauce for?"</p>
+
+<p>"There's a foot-note," Tea Pot ventured.</p>
+
+<p>"Read it!" commanded Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"'White Sauce is very good to pour over cooked
+vegetables, like&mdash;&mdash;'"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute," interrupted Tea Kettle, "perhaps
+Sauce Pan can tell us."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 448px;">
+<img src="images/i088b.jpg" width="448" height="214" alt="&quot;Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"New boiled potatoes, green cabbage, etc; also
+nice to use for warming over cooked meats, like cold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+chicken and canned salmon. Both make a nice
+luncheon dish."</p>
+
+<p>("Fine!" thought Mary Frances. "There's a can
+of salmon in the pantry.")</p>
+
+<p>"Is that right?" asked Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"Right," said Tea Pot. "Next is</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 15.&mdash;Baked Apples.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Wipe large apples.</p>
+
+<p>2. Take out cores with apple corer or sharp knife.</p>
+
+<p>3. Place in earthen or enamel dish.</p>
+
+<p>4. Fill center of each apple with sugar.</p>
+
+<p>5. Pour water into dish, allowing 2 tablespoons to each apple.</p>
+
+<p>6. Bake in a hot oven one half hour, or until soft.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i089a.jpg" width="108" height="212" alt="Take out cores." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"A joyful surprise!" a deep voice seemed to come
+from the closet.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's that?" asked Tea Kettle. "Oh, it's Baking
+Dish!&mdash;you startled me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Although I'm not paid proper respect for my
+years&mdash;&mdash;" went on the deep voice.</p>
+
+<p>"How old are you, now, anyway?" asked Tea
+Kettle.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 272px;">
+<img src="images/i089b.jpg" width="272" height="142" alt="&quot;A joyful surprise!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"I've been told I'm very old&mdash;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">My grandsire was a Tory&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Often bought and often sold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">But that's another story."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>"What an honor!" snickered Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"How rude!" said Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"No, child," came the deep voice of Baking Dish,
+"only modern&mdash;without reverence for the old and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"One&mdash;two&mdash;three&mdash;four&mdash;five&mdash;six&mdash;seven&mdash;eight&mdash;nine&mdash;ten&mdash;eleven!"
+struck in Mantel Clock, very
+loudly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Mary Frances
+to herself, "it's time to commence lunch. I do thank
+Mantel Clock for reminding me.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i090a.jpg" width="109" height="281" alt="Struck in Mantel Clock very Loudly." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Let me see," said she, going into the kitchen as
+if she had just come downstairs, although she felt
+very guilty. "I must find to-day's lesson."</p>
+
+<p>She read quietly for some time, pretending not to
+notice that she found the book open with the spout of
+Tea Pot lying against one of the pages.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 401px;">
+<img src="images/i090b.jpg" width="401" height="202" alt="Lying against one of the pages." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I can make White Sauce in a jiffy, and I'll heat
+some canned salmon in it," she exclaimed, picking up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+Sauce Pan quite carelessly. "He needs a lesson, and
+I don't need his help," she thought. "I'll treat him
+quite in-dif-fer-ent-ly."</p>
+
+<p>"The salmon ought to have been opened an hour
+or two ago," said a sharp little voice.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances looked around to see who her new
+helper could be, but could discover no one.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?" she asked, more to find out
+who was speaking than to gain information.</p>
+
+<p>"Who'd know better?" came the little voice, so
+sharp it was little more than a squeak. "I'm Can
+Opener!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i091a.jpg" width="108" height="181" alt="&quot;Who&#39;d know better?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, so you are!" cried Mary Frances, spying him.
+"I'm glad to see you. Now, why open the salmon an
+hour ago?"</p>
+
+<p>"All canned goods ought to be opened an hour or
+two before needed, and turned out," explained Can
+Opener, "to get well aired."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Mary Frances, "I'll open the
+salmon right away&mdash;then see to the apples&mdash;then the
+White Sauce."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 157px;">
+<img src="images/i091b.jpg" width="157" height="146" alt="The apples" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i092a.jpg" width="103" height="407" alt="It was Billy with Robert" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>She had only just finished the White Sauce, when
+the door-bell rang. She stopped to take the Baked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
+Apples out of the oven, before answering. It was Billy
+with Robert and Eleanor who lived down the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Sister," said Billy, "I told you I'd bring
+company home to lunch some day. Anything ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"By good luck, Billy, yes," said Mary Frances,
+kissing Eleanor, and taking her coat and hat, while
+Billy did the same for Robert.</p>
+
+<p>"I know now why Mother likes Father to telephone
+when he's bringing home company to dinner," laughed
+Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't you worry, folks," said Billy, "everything'll
+be all right."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the highest compliment a boy can pay,
+Mary Frances, you know," said Eleanor.</p>
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+
+
+<p>"I wish I could cook," she sighed, when Mary
+Frances dished the dessert of Baked Apples, and the
+three praised everything on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you could, Sis," exclaimed Robert.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe some day I'll teach you some of the things
+I can make," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mary Frances, will you?" cried Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"If your mother says so," nodded Mary Frances.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 186px;">
+<img src="images/i092b.jpg" width="186" height="189" alt="and Eleanor." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i093a.jpg" width="110" height="305" alt="Geranium" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I know she will," declared Eleanor. "She hates
+to cook, but she'll let me learn. She never goes into
+the kitchen if she can help it. And no wonder. Our
+kitchen is an awful place to go into, Maggie is so cross.
+She wouldn't let me try."</p>
+
+<p>"Pity the poor Kitchen People," thought Mary
+Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll have fun!" she said aloud.</p>
+
+<p>"When will you want me to come?" Eleanor asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Some time, when I get near the end of my book,
+I'll let you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Won't that be lovely! I'll bring my own bowl
+and spoon."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 514px;">
+<img src="images/i093b.jpg" width="514" height="395" alt="&quot;I&#39;ll read,&quot; said Sauce Pan. &quot;What was the last?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>A PATENT DISH-WASHING</div>
+<div class='cap'>"OH, my!" sighed Mary Frances, gazing at the
+great pile of dirty dishes on the kitchen
+table, where she had carried them after
+the company had gone. "Oh, my, cooking is fun&mdash;but
+washing dishes is another thing. I'm 'most tired
+enough to drop,&mdash;and there must be a hundred dishes
+to do! I'm glad Tea Kettle is full of hot water."</div>
+<div>
+<img src="images/i094a.jpg" alt="grapes" width="99" height="477" class="splitr" />
+<img src="images/i094b.jpg" alt="grapes" width="469" height="234" class="splitr" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Bubble! Bubble! Piff! Piff!" puffed Tea Kettle,
+mys-ter-i-ous-ly smiling as though he knew something
+was about to happen.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances couldn't see anything very pleasing
+with so much of a task before her.</p>
+
+<p>She put the large dish pan on the table and poured
+in the water, whirling the soap around in it several
+times to make it a little sudsy.</p>
+
+<p>Then she sat down to rest.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 98px;">
+<img src="images/i095a.jpg" width="98" height="369" alt="dishes" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Really, I didn't know I was so tired," she thought;
+"maybe my age is telling on me the way Aunt Maria
+says!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Her weary little head began to nod, and she was soon
+fast asleep. She hadn't been asleep long before she
+was aroused by a great racket.</p>
+
+<p>"Click, clack! Click-ety-clack! Splash!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come," she said to herself, rather sharply, "I do
+believe you've been asleep, Mary Frances! You'd
+better get to work, child."</p>
+
+<p>"Click! Clack!"</p>
+
+<p>Again came the sound.</p>
+
+<p>With her sleepy lids half open she glanced toward
+the table, and such a sight she never saw! She sat up
+with mouth and eyes wide open, but nobody paid any
+attention to her.</p>
+
+<p>There were the dishes jumping higgledy-piggledy,
+pell-mell into the dish pan.</p>
+
+<p>First a cup, followed by a saucer, then a spoon,
+followed by a fork.</p>
+
+<p>"Make room for me," cried Platter, diving in
+head first.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, or you'll chip me," cried Tea Cup,
+tumbling out on the other side of the pan.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm next!" a big dinner plate splashed in "kerplunk."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 461px;">
+<img src="images/i095b.jpg" width="461" height="124" alt="&quot;Click, clack! Click-ety-clack! Splash!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances couldn't say a word&mdash;she was so
+afraid they might break their heads.</p>
+
+<p>"Ouw! this is hot!" screamed Little Pitcher.</p>
+
+<p>All the other Kitchen People were looking on and
+laughing. Aunty Rolling Pin was rocking to and fro,
+laughing so hard the tears were rolling down her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>When Yellow Bowl bounced into the water, "Chase
+yourself!" cried Soup Ladle, making hard after.</p>
+
+<p>In less time than it takes to tell, the dishes were all
+clean, and had piled themselves up neatly on the table.</p>
+
+<p>Then Mary Frances realized what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a patent dish-washing," she said. "I
+don't want you to do that often. I was afraid my
+mother's china would be broken all to pieces! But
+I am very much obliged, this time, I'm sure."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i096a.jpg" width="111" height="352" alt="dishes" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;">
+<img src="images/i096b.jpg" width="525" height="372" alt="There were the dishes jumping higgledy-piggledy, pell-mell into the dish pan." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THIMBLE BISCUITS</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i097a.jpg" width="108" height="256" alt="&quot;It&#39;s an invitation to a Dolls&#39; Party.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>MARY FRANCES carried all her dolls to the
+window seat in her room, and placed them
+in a row. Then she held up an envelope.</div>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 420px;">
+<img src="images/i097b.jpg" width="420" height="199" alt="Poor Peg, who had fallen on her side." title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Misses Angelina, Marie, Cosette, Lady Gay, Peg,
+Master Alfonso, why, listen! Here's a letter come for
+you. What can it be? Pay very strict 'tention
+while I read it. If you'd gone to school every day
+I've been so busy, perhaps you could read it yourselves;
+but, of course, when my hands are so full, I
+can't possibly get you off, and you are so helpless.
+Aren't you 'shamed? I think&mdash;yes, I think you all
+look ashamed except Peg. If you don't look ashamed
+in one minute, Peg,&mdash;just one minute I'll give you,&mdash;you
+sha'n't hear this! There, that will do! You
+needn't cry, dear child! Now, I'll read."</p>
+<p>Mary Frances cut open the envelope.</p>
+
+<p>Every doll looked deeply interested except poor Peg
+who had fallen on her side. "Why, it's an invitation
+to a Dolls' Party! Listen!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 557px;">
+<img src="images/i098.jpg" width="557" height="648" alt="My dear Dollies: May I have the pleasure of your company at a Doll&#39;s Kitchen Party this afternoon at three o&#39;clock? Your loving (Mistress) Mary Frances. P.S. Anyone coming late will be fined a pink riblon. In case she has&#39;nt a pink riblon her hair will be pulled. M. F." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i099a.jpg" width="108" height="292" alt="&quot;Of course you&#39;ll wear your dress suit.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now, dears," Mary Frances smiled upon them,
+"no wonder you look surprised; for that's a grand
+invitation, all written out on real paper. I had an
+awful time getting it to sound right. I'm not sure that
+it is just exactly correct yet. So we'll get dressed
+right away. Now don't all ask at once what you'll
+wear. Yes, Fonsey, of course you'll wear your dress
+suit. What of it if it isn't proper to wear it until after
+six o'clock? You have only your work clothes and that
+suit and you'll have to wear your best."</p>
+
+<p>Everybody was quiet and good as gold while Mary
+Frances finished dressing them.</p>
+
+
+<p>"There," she said to herself, "the last sash is tied.
+Goodness, I'm tired&mdash;tired-er than if I'd been cooking
+the whole morning! Aren't dolls stupid compared
+with Kitchen Folks? I do wonder what the Kitchen
+Folks will do. Will they talk before them?"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 406px;">
+<img src="images/i099b.jpg" width="406" height="148" alt="Looking very anxious and excited." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now, you dolls, be good, and take a nap," she
+warned, "so that you won't be sleepy at the party.
+I must go and get ready."</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>As she tied on her apron in the kitchen, she noticed
+Aunty Rolling Pin looked very anxious and excited.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+She couldn't seem to keep still, but kept rolling to and
+fro, watching Mary Frances' every motion.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Aunty Rolling Pin?" said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you, or did you not, please," asked Aunty
+Rolling Pin, "mention 'Biscuits' this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I did," replied Mary Frances, "when I
+glanced at my book. Here, I'll read it out:</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 88px;">
+<img src="images/i100a.jpg" width="88" height="211" alt="&frac12; cup milk" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 16.&mdash;Thimble Biscuits.</span><br />
+
+(Nice for Dolls' Tea Party.)</div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 teaspoons baking powder</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup milk (scant)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>1. A hot oven and a greased pan.</p>
+
+<p>2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt three times.</p>
+
+<p>3. Rub butter lightly into the flour.</p>
+
+<p>4. Pour the milk on gradually, mixing all the while with a knife,
+until a soft dough is formed.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>(Perhaps not all the milk will be needed.)</div>
+
+<p>5. Turn the dough on a well-floured board.</p>
+
+<p>6. Pat it with the rolling pin until &frac14; inch thick.</p>
+
+<p>7. Use a large thimble as a cutter, and cut biscuits as close to each
+other as possible.</p>
+
+<p>8. Place in pan a little distance apart.</p>
+
+<p>9. Bake about 5 minutes.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 510px;">
+<img src="images/i100b.jpg" width="510" height="182" alt="&quot;Did you mention &#39;Biscuits&#39; this morning?&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 17.&mdash;Baking Powder Biscuits.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Make exactly the same as Thimble Biscuits (No. 16), only pat
+the dough out about three-quarters of an inch thick. Prick
+with a fork.</p>
+
+<p>2. Cut with a biscuit cutter, and place in pan, a little distance
+apart.</p>
+
+<p>3. Bake in a quick oven from 12 to 14 minutes.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Ever make any biscuits, child?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Aunty Rolling Pin, but I believe I can with
+your help, if you'll be so kind."</p>
+
+<p>"'Deed I will, child." Aunty Rolling Pin gave a
+delighted chuckle. "I've been waiting patiently for
+the chance."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 105px;">
+<img src="images/i101a.jpg" width="105" height="313" alt="&quot;&#39;Deed I will, child.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I'm going to give a Dolls' Kitchen Party, Aunty."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I'm glad you told me, child; that makes
+everything more important than ever. So, as you
+gather together the things you'll need, you can listen&mdash;ahem!&mdash;to
+Aunty Rolling Pin's Wisdom."</p>
+
+<p>"You know about 'most everything!" said Mary
+Frances. "I'd be much obliged to you for any other
+hints during the rest of my lessons."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll be glad to help, child," said Aunty.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 270px;">
+<img src="images/i101b.jpg" width="270" height="150" alt="Baking Powder Biscuits." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Mother expected to explain everything to me, you
+see&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, child," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin, seeing
+Mary Frances looked sad; "but I see you have sifted
+the flour and baking powder and salt into a bowl and
+poured it back. Instead of using a bowl, it's a good
+idea to use a piece of heavy paper. When this is
+folded funnel-like, the flour can readily be poured into
+the sifter again and again."</p>
+
+<p>"That certainly is easier," said Mary Frances,
+putting the hint to practice.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 119px;">
+<img src="images/i102a.jpg" width="119" height="531" alt="&quot;Poured into the sifter again and again&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"In order to get the baking powder into every bit
+of the flour, they should be sifted together three times.
+Now, I see you are working the butter into the flour.
+Rub lightly with your finger tips. That's it&mdash;pour
+the milk gradually, mix well&mdash;the dough should be
+almost sticky, but not too soft to handle. Now it's
+my turn," she chuckled, as Mary Frances turned the
+dough on a well-floured board. "But if you are going
+to make Thimble Biscuits, one half of the dough is
+enough to pat out for them&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And I can make the rest into real biscuits! What
+a splendid idea!" said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 496px;">
+<img src="images/i102b.jpg" width="496" height="220" alt="Turned the dough on a well-floured board." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wonder if the handles are her ears," she thought,
+softly patting the dough with Aunty Rolling Pin.</p>
+
+<p>As she bent over, she caught the sound of singing,
+and this is the song Aunty Rolling Pin sang:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Roly-poly, roly-poly,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">To and fro,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Roly-poly, roly poly,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">O'er the dough.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Round as an apple,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Straight as a rule;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Guess who I am</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Or I'll send you to &mdash;&mdash;</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i103a.jpg" width="114" height="258" alt="As she bent over she caught the sound of singing." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Where?" she asked suddenly stopping.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances jumped. She had been rolling Aunty
+Rolling Pin to and fro, unconsciously keeping time with
+her song.</p>
+
+<p>"Where?" she again demanded, her mouth full
+of flour.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me," answered Mary Frances, "I don't
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"School, of course," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin;
+"I thought you'd surely know."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 366px;">
+<img src="images/i103b.jpg" width="366" height="161" alt="&quot;Roly-poly, roly-poly, to and fro.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, of course," laughed Mary Frances;
+"Cooking School."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, child," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin.
+"To what other school could you go to learn about
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's beautiful poetry," said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"I think so," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin; "I made
+it up myself. It's so <i>floury</i>, you know," blowing the
+white dust in the air.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i104a.jpg" width="114" height="250" alt="&quot;Tee-hee,&quot; giggled Mary Frances." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Tee-hee," giggled Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Aunty Rolling Pin looked offended.</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me," said Mary Frances, "you mean
+'flowery.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean what I say," said Aunty Rolling Pin;
+"isn't that what I said?"</p>
+
+<p>As it certainly was what she said, and Mary Frances
+didn't like to explain, she hastily turned to her work.</p>
+
+<p>It didn't take long to cut the biscuits, as she had
+often helped her mother in baking. She knew how
+to dip the cutter each time into flour, that the dough
+might not stick. She used the large thimble she had
+brought down from the sewing room in the same way
+as she had used the biscuit cutter.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 486px;">
+<img src="images/i104b.jpg" width="486" height="187" alt="&quot;It didn&#39;t take long to cut the biscuits.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Aren't they too sweet!" she cried delightedly,
+as she laid the tiny biscuits side by side, but not touching,
+in the little baking pan. With the rest of the
+dough, she had made three larger ones. "One for
+each of the family," she said, slipping them with the
+Thimble Biscuits into the oven.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me see what's next. Oh, yes, the cocoa.
+I do declare, it's little Sauce Pan's turn again. No
+wonder he's puffed up," she thought. "Strange, he
+hasn't said a word. I'm 'most sure I have to use Sauce
+Pan. Perhaps he doesn't understand. I'll read aloud:</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 18.&mdash;Cocoa.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>For each cup:</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon cocoa</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup boiling water</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup milk</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Heat milk.</p>
+
+<p>2. Mix cocoa and sugar.</p>
+
+<p>3. Pour boiling water on them gradually, making a smooth paste.</p>
+
+<p>4. Add the milk, and cook a half minute.</p>
+
+<p>5. Beat with an egg beater.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i105a.jpg" width="103" height="203" alt="&quot;Oh, yes, the cocoa.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>Silence.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 275px;">
+<img src="images/i105b.jpg" width="275" height="181" alt="&quot;Don&#39;t bother me.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Sauce Pan!" one of the Kitchen People near him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+whispered loudly, "Sauce Pan! Why don't you
+speak?"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 120px;">
+<img src="images/i106a.jpg" width="120" height="377" alt="Letter" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Don't bother me. I'm asleep," muttered Sauce
+Pan drowsily, "sound asleep!"</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances gasped.</p>
+
+<p>"What 'n awful story!" exclaimed the one who had
+first spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"You're not very polite to question my word to my
+very face," Sauce Pan retorted angrily. "Now, if
+someone else had told you, that would have been
+different; then you'd had some excuse."</p>
+
+<p>"Come," thought Mary Frances, "that's too silly!
+I'll put an end to this. I don't need any help with this
+simple recipe."</p>
+
+<p>Seizing Sauce Pan quite carelessly, she quickly
+made the cocoa.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 547px;">
+<img src="images/i106b.jpg" width="547" height="366" alt="Mary Frances carried all her dolls to the window seat in her room." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE DOLLS' KITCHEN PARTY</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 89px;">
+<img src="images/i107a.jpg" width="89" height="389" alt="&quot;Better look in the oven!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>"NOW, everything is ready," she said, glancing
+carefully at the table she had set with her
+little dishes; "I'll go up and bring the dolls.
+Wait a minute, Mary Frances," she added after a
+moment's pause. "Let's see if everything is ready.
+There's<br /><br /></div>
+
+<div class='center'>
+Thimble Biscuits<br />
+Jam     &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;      Cocoa
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"Better look in the oven!"</p>
+
+
+<p>"Oh, my, I'm glad you 'thought me,' Aunty Rolling
+Pin," cried Mary Frances, opening the oven door.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear me! Most of the Thimble Biscuits are burnt
+up and the big ones are just done, I guess!"</p>
+
+<p>"The thicker things are, the 'slower' the oven,
+child. The thinner, the hotter the oven&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 199px;">
+<img src="images/i107b.jpg" width="199" height="186" alt="&quot;Oh, dear me!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Aunty Rolling Pin," cried Mary Frances, not
+realizing she had interrupted, "there are enough
+Thimble Biscuits not burnt to go 'round. Isn't that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+good? And the dolls can't make themselves sick with
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"It's not much of a waste," smiled Aunty Rolling
+Pin, "and (seeming to be seriously thinking) the dolls
+can't make themselves sick on them&mdash;eating too many,
+I suppose."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i108a.jpg" width="110" height="253" alt="&quot;You see it&#39;s like this&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Well," said Mary Frances, "you see, it's like this:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"When I my dolls invite to tea,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">It is a pretty sight to see</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The things one seldom gets to eat</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">All on the table spread, so sweet;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But to my dollies I explain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Don't eat too much&mdash;you'll have a pain.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Then, just to save them such a trial,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I let them sit and look a while</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">At cakes, and tarts, and candies, too.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Then eat them up myself&mdash;wouldn't you?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For thus they're saved from being ill,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And I, likewise, a doctor's bill.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But&mdash;just between you, dear, and me&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">They couldn't eat at all, you see."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 443px;">
+<img src="images/i108b.jpg" width="443" height="138" alt="&quot;Dolls can&#39;t make themselves sick.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i109.jpg" width="540" height="731" alt="The Doll&#39;s Kitchen Party" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And away ran Mary Frances to bring the dolls.</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>"It was a lovely Tea Party, wasn't it, Angie?"
+sighed Mary Frances, putting her family to bed after
+it was all over.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i110a.jpg" width="114" height="202" alt="After it was all over." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"And you did 'behave a credit' to your mother.
+I feel sure now you will remember all I've taught you.
+Not one of you would eat soup from the point of a spoon,
+nor spread a whole slice of bread at once, nor leave
+your spoon in your cup, which is a great comfort to a
+mother. Only Peg, you poor child, you should not
+have spilled that cocoa down your best dress. But
+'Children will be children,' I 'spose&mdash;and you're
+very dear children."</p>
+
+<p>("I wouldn't have them, for the world, jealous of
+the Kitchen People&mdash;and I've neglected them shamefully
+of late.")</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>"I'm not much taken with those things called
+'dolls,' Aunty Rolling Pin," said Sauce Pan, seating
+himself on the edge of the top closet-shelf, and crossing
+one leg over his knee. "They're not much use."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 373px;">
+<img src="images/i110b.jpg" width="373" height="208" alt="&quot;They&#39;re not much use.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ah," sighed Aunty Rolling Pin, looking wise, "a
+doll's a doll, for all that."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i111a.jpg" width="109" height="219" alt="&quot;A doll&#39;s no good boiled!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Of course," said Sauce Pan, "but a doll's no good
+boiled!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no," admitted Aunty Rolling Pin, "the best,
+of course, are <i>baked</i> of</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">No. 19.&mdash;Gingerbread Cookies.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup molasses</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 tablespoons butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 tablespoons lard flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; tablespoon ginger</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon baking soda</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon warm water</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 451px;">
+<img src="images/i111b.jpg" width="451" height="198" alt="&quot;The best, of course, are baked.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>1. Warm the molasses.</p>
+
+<p>2. Put the butter and lard in a bowl. Pour over them the molasses.</p>
+
+<p>3. Dissolve soda in the warm water. Add to the molasses.</p>
+
+<p>4. Sift ginger, salt and &frac12; cup flour together.</p>
+
+<p>5. Sift into the molasses, beating well.
+If necessary, add more flour to make a soft dough.</p>
+
+<p>6. Grease a shallow pan.</p><div>
+<img src="images/i112a.jpg" alt="chair" width="117" height="175" class="splitr" />
+<img src="images/i112b.jpg" width="543" height="573" alt="&quot;It was a lovely Tea Party, wasn&#39;t it Angie?&quot;" class="splitr" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>7. Roll the dough out 1/3 inch thick.</p>
+
+<p>8. Cut out with a little round cutter, dipping it into flour each
+time.</p>
+
+<p>Place cookies some distance apart on the pan. Bake about
+10 minutes.</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Note.</span>&mdash;Instead of rolling out, little spoonfuls may be dropped far apart
+on the pan and flattened with the bottom of a round tin cup.</p></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then you&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+
+<p>"Oh, Aunty Rolling Pin, nobody's doing a lesson.
+Besides, after it's baked it's done!" cried Sauce Pan
+impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"So'm I!" smiled Aunty Rolling Pin.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE SICK NEIGHBOR</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i113a.jpg" width="108" height="276" alt="&quot;Mary Ann Hooper is very ailing.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"MARY ANN HOOPER is very ailing," said
+Aunt Maria at the lunch table. She had
+invited the children over to lunch that
+day. "She needs nourishment more than anything
+else, I should say. That cook she has can't make a
+decent thing. No wonder she's weak!"</div>
+
+
+
+<p>"If only," thought Mary Frances, "if only I could
+cook something for her! Wait until I look in my book.
+I wonder if she could eat to-day's lesson."</p>
+
+<p>She laughed aloud&mdash;that seemed so funny.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," snapped Aunt Maria, "of all things; to
+laugh at a poor sick neighbor in such a pre-dic-a-ment."</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances blushed, but she didn't say anything.</p>
+
+<p>After lunch, she started home as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Once in the house, she ran to the kitchen for her
+book.</p>
+
+<p>"Of all things! As Aunt Maria would say," she cried,
+"it comes next!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 215px;">
+<img src="images/i113b.jpg" width="215" height="209" alt="&quot;Of all things!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 20.&mdash;Soft Custard.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup milk</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 egg</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 tablespoons sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>dash of salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>nutmeg</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Heat the milk smoking hot.</p>
+
+<p>2. Beat egg. Add sugar and salt.</p>
+
+<p>3. Pour the hot milk on, beating well.</p>
+
+<p>4. Pour into upper part of double boiler, or set pan in boiling water.</p>
+
+<p>5. Cook until it thickens, or until a coating will be formed on a
+clean spoon when dipped into the custard.</p>
+
+<p>6. Sprinkle with a few gratings of nutmeg.</p>
+
+<p>7. Serve cold.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i114a.jpg" width="111" height="225" alt="Soft Custard" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"How perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Mary Frances;
+"I'll make soft custard for Mary Ann Hooper. But
+that isn't very much. Oh, isn't this too good? I can
+serve it on the next recipe. It's</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 21.&mdash;Steamed Rice.</span></div>
+
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup rice</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 cups boiling water</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Wash rice. This may be easily done by putting in a strainer
+and shaking in a pan of cold water.</p>
+
+<p>2. Put with the salt and boiling water, into the upper part of a
+double boiler.</p>
+
+<p>3. Pour boiling water into lower part, and cook 1 hour.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 221px;">
+<img src="images/i114b.jpg" width="221" height="150" alt="Steamed rice" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>4. To test whether it is done, press several grains between the
+fingers. If not perfectly soft, cook longer.</p>
+
+<p>5. If it becomes hard and dry, add a little boiling water from time
+to time.</p>
+
+<p>6. A few raisins are sometimes cooked with the rice. Add these
+during the last fifteen minutes of cooking to prevent discoloring.</p>
+
+<p>7. Serve with soft custard or cream and sugar.
+Plain cooked rice may be served as a vegetable.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i115a.jpg" width="108" height="182" alt="Drain through a colander." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 22.&mdash;Boiled Rice.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>Use a plain boiler and a large quantity of salted boiling water.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup rice</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>5 cups boiling water</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Wash rice by putting it in a strainer and shaking in a pan of
+water.</p>
+
+<p>2. Drop a few grains at a time into boiling water, stirring well to
+prevent sticking.</p>
+
+<p>3. Boil rapidly 25 minutes, or until soft when pressed between
+the fingers.</p>
+
+<p>4. Drain through a colander. Pour over it 2 cups boiling water.</p>
+
+<p>5. Set in a warm place to dry off, until ready to serve.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mary Frances, putting the rice on to
+boil, "I'll make both. Oh, won't Mary Ann Hooper
+be pleased!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 260px;">
+<img src="images/i115b.jpg" width="260" height="212" alt="Use a plain boiler." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Who's that?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "A new
+kind of cooking pan?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, Aunty Rolling Pin," laughed Mary
+Frances; "she's an old lady who is sick. Aunt Maria
+told me about her at lunch. She's such a funny old
+lady."</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i116a.jpg" width="110" height="272" alt="&quot;A sign for them to read&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"It isn't funny to be ill," said Aunty Rolling Pin.</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Mary Frances, seriously, "but I
+meant she does such funny things: Last summer, she
+told Elvin Phelps if he didn't keep his bees from stealing
+honey out of her flowers, she'd shoot them&mdash;she (oh,
+dear!)&mdash;wanted&mdash;him&mdash;to tie each one&mdash;by his hind
+leg&mdash;to keep&mdash;them&mdash;home&mdash;oh, dear," laughed Mary
+Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"What did he do?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin,
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"He told her (excuse my laughing&mdash;but it's so
+funny!) he would rather&mdash;put a 'No Trespassing' sign
+up in her garden for them to read! Ho-ho! Tee-hee."
+Mary Frances shook with laughter.</p>
+
+<p>Silence in the kitchen until Mary Frances felt a
+tug at her tug at her dress.</p>
+
+<p>Looking down, she spied Toaster Man.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 324px;">
+<img src="images/i116b.jpg" width="324" height="217" alt="She spied Toaster Man." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you may speak," she smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you,&mdash;I don't like to suggest, but a
+Dropped Egg on Toast would&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Be grand!" finished Mary Frances. "I'm sure
+I saw that recipe; yes, this is it!"</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 23.&mdash;Poached Eggs.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Put a pint (2 cups) boiling water into a shallow pan. Add &frac12;
+teaspoon salt.</p>
+
+<p>2. Break egg in a saucer.</p>
+
+<p>3. Whirl the water 'round and 'round with a spoon, and draw
+pan back on stove where it will simmer, but not boil hard.</p>
+
+<p>4. Slip the egg into the whirling water.</p>
+
+<p>5. Cook until the white is coated over the top.</p>
+
+<p>6. Serve on toast.</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Note.</span>&mdash;It is best to cook only one egg at a time.</span></p></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 303px;">
+<img src="images/i117a.jpg" width="107" height="214" alt="&quot;Ready!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Ready!" hummed Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"Ready!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, and Mary Frances
+poured the hot water.</p>
+
+<p>"Ready!" cried Toaster Man, and Mary Frances
+made the toast.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" cried the little girl suddenly, her fingers
+crushing through the eggshell, "what a shame!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 303px;">
+<img src="images/i117b.jpg" width="303" height="209" alt="&quot;Ready!&quot; &quot;Ready!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"A sharp rap with a knife and a quick pull with
+the thumbs," somebody said.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," smiled Mary Frances, too busy to
+discover who was her helper.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon she had lifted the poached egg with
+Per-for-at-ed Skimmer on the piece of toast.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i118a.jpg" width="109" height="414" alt="Teapot on cloth" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>When she had arranged the tray, she brought it
+out for the Kitchen People to see.</p>
+
+<p>She had used her mother's daintiest china plates,
+and had scattered violets here and there over the cloth.</p>
+
+<p>"Beau-ti-ful!" they exclaimed in one voice, as
+though that was all that could be said; but this is what
+Mary Frances heard as she closed the door:</p>
+
+<p>"Wish I could eat," sighed Toaster Man.</p>
+
+<p>"I know Jube'll want some of that," he added
+after a moment. "That cat can eat any time of
+day! I envy her appetite."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, "Jube won't get
+any of that. This time Jube'll get</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 521px;">
+<img src="images/i118b.jpg" width="521" height="299" alt="A GREAT BIG ROUND PIECE O&#39; NOTHING!" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>A MAN'S LUNCH</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 116px;">
+<img src="images/i119a.jpg" width="116" height="277" alt="&quot;Thank you, Miss Mary Frances.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"MOTHER writes that she is so glad you are
+giving Billy such good lunches," said
+Father, looking up from his letter. "I've
+been waiting a long time for an invitation to lunch,
+little daughter. Do you know, I'll be quite jealous of
+Billy if my turn doesn't come soon!"</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, Father," Mary Frances begged, "won't you
+come to-morrow? I didn't think you could get away
+from the store,&mdash;and I don't know so very much to
+cook."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Miss Mary Frances, I'll be most happy
+to lunch with you to-morrow," said Father, in a real
+so-ci-e-ty tone.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>When Mary Frances went into the kitchen next
+morning, she said:</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'll make the dessert first; rice pudding is
+good cold."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 290px;">
+<img src="images/i119b.jpg" width="290" height="173" alt="&quot;It is ex-cel-lent cold.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"It is ex-cel-lent cold," spoke the deep voice of
+Baking Dish, "es-pec-i-ally if made by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 24.&mdash;Rice Pudding.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>3 tablespoons rice</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; cup sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1/8 teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>sprinkling nutmeg</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>4 cups milk, or 3 cups milk and 1 cup water</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Pick over the rice, and wash by putting in a strainer and shaking
+in a pan of water.</p>
+
+<p>2. Butter the baking dish.</p>
+
+<p>3. Stir rice, sugar and salt into the milk.</p>
+
+<p>4. Pour into the baking dish.</p>
+
+<p>5. Sprinkle with nutmeg.</p>
+
+<p>6. Cover with a lid, and bake slowly 2 hours.</p>
+
+<p>7. Uncover and brown &frac12; hour.</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Note.</span>&mdash;Seeded raisins may be added before browning. If desired, a
+thin narrow shaving of the outside rind of a lemon may be used as flavoring.
+Put this in the milk with the rice.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Why, thank you, Baking Dish," exclaimed Mary
+Frances. "Will you kindly say it over slowly? I'll
+do it then, keeping time with your directions."</p>
+
+<p>This he did, and as Mary Frances slipped him into
+the oven, "I'm sure this will be good," he said; "I
+can always tell."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 119px;">
+<img src="images/i120a.jpg" width="119" height="205" alt="&quot;I&#39;m sure this will be good&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I'm very glad," said Mary Frances, gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>"Now for the Boiled Mutton," she said. "I guess,
+Iron Pot, you can tell me about that."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 348px;">
+<img src="images/i120b.jpg" width="348" height="199" alt="Slipped him into the oven." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Iron Pot, importantly climbing
+from the shelf, and eying critically the piece of meat
+Mary Frances had placed on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a pretty nice cut of meat&mdash;pretty nice.
+It will be all right to cook it as I will tell you. But,
+really, mutton is less greasy if it is boiled long enough
+before needed to let the gravy cool. Take off the cake
+of fat which will form on the top when cold. Of
+course, take the meat out as soon as it is tender, and
+after 'skimming' the gravy, put it in again to re-heat."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't time!" said Mary Frances, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"You can put yours in a bowl, and stand the bowl
+in ice water to cool the liquor quickly, and do the same
+thing that way, now&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You give the recipe?" asked Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Iron Pot looked pleased, and began:</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 25.&mdash;Boiled Mutton.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>About 3 pounds rack of mutton or "yearling."</p>
+
+<p>1. Wipe with a damp cloth.</p>
+
+<p>2. Pour 3 cups boiling water into a large pot.</p>
+
+<p>3. Throw in 2 peeled onions.</p>
+
+<p>4. Put in the meat. Cover.</p>
+
+<p>5. Boil 10 minutes.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 117px;">
+<img src="images/i121a.jpg" width="117" height="212" alt="Stand the bowl in ice water." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 395px;">
+<img src="images/i121b.jpg" width="395" height="215" alt="Iron Pot looked pleased." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>6. Draw pot to back of stove where it will simmer, or just bubble,
+until meat is tender when tried with a fork, which will be
+in about 1&frac12; hours.</p>
+
+<p>7. Take out the meat.</p>
+
+<p>8. Skim off the fat from the surface of the liquor; or if there is
+time, cool, and remove the hardened fat.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Correct!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, bending over
+Mary Frances' book. "And the gravy is made&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Saucy!" began Iron Pot, in a boiling rage; but
+he suddenly stopped, as Mary Frances shook her finger
+at him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 128px;">
+<img src="images/i122a.jpg" width="128" height="189" alt="&quot;Saucy!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"It's all right this time," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"It is your place, Sauce Pan&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"It is my place," said Sauce Pan, trying not to let
+Iron Pot see how pleased he was to tell about</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">No. 26.&mdash;Sauce or Gravy for Boiled Mutton.</span></p>
+
+<p>1. After cooling and skimming off the fat, measure the water in
+which the meat was boiled.</p>
+
+<p>2. To each cupful, allow</p>
+
+<p>1 tablespoon flour, &frac14; teaspoon salt, &frac12; teaspoon vinegar.</p>
+
+<p>3. Moisten these with a little cold water.</p>
+
+<p>4. Stir them into the boiling gravy.</p>
+
+<p>5. Add 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 417px;">
+<img src="images/i122b.jpg" width="417" height="233" alt="&quot;Correct!&quot; exclaimed Sauce Pan." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you both, my friends," said Mary Frances,
+lifting Iron Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"My, but you're heavy!"</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis true," said Iron Pot, sadly, "all my old-fashioned
+friends, like Iron Tea Kettle&mdash;glancing toward
+the new Tea Kettle&mdash;and Caldron, are gone. But,"
+he added, brightening up, "it has been proved that
+for boiling meats, no modern 'light-weights' could 'do
+them up so brown!'"</p>
+
+<p>"We'll prove it again," laughed Mary Frances.
+"I do believe I'll have a splendid lunch for Father&mdash;a
+regular big man's lunch. Listen!</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+Boiled Mutton &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    Parsley Sauce<br />
+Boiled Potatoes<br />
+Rice Pudding  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    Coffee<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i123a.jpg" width="107" height="211" alt="&quot;A splendid lunch for Father.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"And now I'll set the table! I think I'll use the
+very best silver, and the prettiest dishes&mdash;it will please
+father, I know."</p>
+
+<p>This is the way Mary Frances set the table for her
+father and Billy's lunch. Mary Frances sat in her
+mother's place.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 403px;">
+<img src="images/i123b.jpg" width="403" height="189" alt="&quot;My, but you&#39;re heavy!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 528px;">
+<img src="images/i124.jpg" width="528" height="740" alt="table setting" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Just as Mary Frances was finishing getting the
+lunch, the 'phone bell rang and Billy answered.</p>
+<div>
+<img src="images/i125a.jpg" width="82" height="279" class="split" alt="&quot;Hello!&quot;" title="" />
+<img src="images/i125b.jpg" width="331" height="197" class="split" alt="&quot;Hello!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>This is what Mary Frances heard:</p>
+
+<p>"Hello!"</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!"</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad, Father, can't you?"</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'll tell her, but I hate to, awfully. She's
+been hard at work all the morning."</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I?&mdash;Oh, I attended to the fire for her, then went
+upstairs to make those drawings."</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; I'll look after her, all right."</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she is&mdash;a regular 'brick!'"</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"All right. Good-bye!"</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sis!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"I know, Billy," Mary Frances sobbed. "I know!&mdash;Father<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+can't come, and everything is ready. Oh,
+dear! Oh, oh,&mdash;de&mdash;ar!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I say, Sister," said Billy; "I'll pretend I'm
+Father&mdash;won't that do? And&mdash;oh, yes! I'll show you
+how to fold a napkin into 'Cinderella's slipper!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you learn how?" Mary Frances began
+to dry her tears.</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Not on land, and not on sea<br />
+Did this knowledge come to me.<br />
+When I learned, I had on my hat&mdash;<br />
+Where was I? Now, riddle me that?<br />
+
+
+<b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b><br />
+
+
+No, lady fair, not up in the air&mdash;<br />
+On a boat in the river."<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 118px;">
+<img src="images/i126a.jpg" width="118" height="237" alt="&quot;Oh, dear! Oh, oh,&mdash;de&mdash;ar!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Silly Billy!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Please
+show me the trick now, will you?"</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 418px;">
+<img src="images/i126b.jpg" width="418" height="202" alt="&quot;I&#39;ll show you how to fold a napkin.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Yes," said Billy, "and then I'll eat Father's
+share, as well as mine, of a very 'grand' lunch&mdash;if my
+nose isn't deceiving me."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Mary Frances, "that will help some;
+but please fold the napkin."</p>
+
+<p>And Billy showed her this:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 548px;">
+<img src="images/i127.jpg" width="548" height="740" alt="napkin folding" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances was so pleased with the Cinderella's
+slipper that she folded all the napkins on the lunch
+table.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like a hotel table," said Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Billy," said Mary Frances, "I know fancy
+folded napkins aren't so nice for home&mdash;but you don't
+mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, no," said Billy; "I feel proud."</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>While they were at lunch there came a knock and
+a boy from the store handed in a box of candy and a
+little note addressed to</p>
+
+<div class="center"><i>Miss Mary Frances.</i></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 117px;">
+<img src="images/i128a.jpg" width="117" height="217" alt="A box of candy and a little note" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Ahem," said Billy, as Mary Frances opened the
+box, and offered him some candy "since Father couldn't
+come, he sent a sweet guest in his place."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't very nice to eat up your guest," laughed
+Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 481px;">
+<img src="images/i128b.jpg" width="481" height="184" alt="&quot;What&#39;s better than a cream chocolate?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Mary Frances," asked Billy, "what's better than
+a cream chocolate?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two cream chocolates, I guess," said Mary Frances,
+passing the box&mdash;"but, Billy, listen:</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 528px;">
+<img src="images/i129.jpg" width="528" height="736" alt="Letter" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>POOR BLUE PITCHER</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 99px;">
+<img src="images/i130a.jpg" width="99" height="189" alt="Pare and slice" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"WHY," said Mary Frances, looking over her
+book next morning at the breakfast table,
+"to-day's lesson is so easy I think it
+would be just the time to invite Eleanor over for her
+cooking lesson.</div>
+
+
+
+<p>"I do wonder whether the Kitchen People will talk
+and help us&mdash;or whether they can help but one person.
+It would be pretty hard without their help; but let
+me read the recipe again:</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 27.&mdash;Apple Snow.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Pare and slice apples, dropping into cold water.</p>
+
+<p>2. Cook slowly until soft.</p>
+
+<p>3. Mash well and measure.</p>
+
+<p>4. To every cupful, allow</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; cup powdered sugar,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>white of 1 egg, well beaten.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>5. Add a spoonful of each to apples until used, stirring in lightly
+each time.</p>
+
+<p>6. Add 1 drop vanilla for each cup of apples.</p>
+
+<p>7. Serve with cream.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 318px;">
+<img src="images/i130b.jpg" width="318" height="180" alt="Apple Snow" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'll go ask the Kitchen People about it right
+away!"</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i131a.jpg" width="112" height="206" alt="Complained Coffee Pot." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>But some one was talking.</p>
+
+<p>"Wonder what little Mistress will cook to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll see if they know," said Mary Frances to
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>"It's hard to remember so far ahead," complained
+Coffee Pot. "I wish it was my turn all the time."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you have more chance than most of us, except
+Tea Kettle," exclaimed Sauce Pan. "I expect, though,
+most of us will be used a lot now,"&mdash;airily.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I read a poem about it, which proves&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Say it!" interrupted several Kitchen People.
+("What fun!" thought Mary Frances. "I'll try to
+remember it.")</p>
+
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 284px;">
+<img src="images/i131b.jpg" width="284" height="197" alt="Beginning to recite." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"All right!" said Sauce Pan, proudly, beginning to
+recite:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"'The good old times are back, they say;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Now, people eat six times a day.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nothing they eat is quite so good</span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">As victuals, eatables and food.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">They'll eat 'em cooked, they'll eat 'em raw,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">While they have teeth with which to chaw.'"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Beautiful!" exclaimed the Kitchen People.</p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 113px;">
+<img src="images/i132a.jpg" width="113" height="209" alt="Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"If that isn't too silly for anything in the
+world!"</p>
+
+<p>It was a new voice. Mary Frances peeped out.
+Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge of the shelf.</p>
+
+<p>"It's perfectly true, though," re-tort-ed Sauce Pan,
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"There! There!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, soothingly;
+"don't get so excited! Of course it's true."</p>
+
+<p>"You bet it's true and I can prove&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my ear!" cried Blue Pitcher, toppling
+dangerously near the edge of the shelf. "Prove it!
+Prove it! You can't!&mdash;you conceited id-i-o-ti-cal old
+Sauce Pan! I dare you!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p>Over he went&mdash;Crash!!!&mdash;broken into pieces.</p>
+
+<p>"He's dead," exclaimed the excited Kitchen People,
+and began to wring their funny little hands, and to cry</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 301px;">
+<img src="images/i132b.jpg" width="301" height="167" alt="Over he went&mdash;Crash!!!" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Oh, why did-de-die?<br /></p>
+<p>"Oh, why did-de-die?<br /></p>
+<p>"Oh, why did-de-die? did-de-die-die-die?"<br /></p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p>
+<div>
+<img src="images/i133a.jpg" width="109" height="499" alt="tail" title="" class="split" />
+<img src="images/i133b.jpg" width="512" height="203" alt="cats" title="" class="split" />
+</div>
+<p>They kept up this chant until Mary Frances stepped
+out into the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>"Why <i>did</i>-de-die?" demanded Mary Frances, but
+not a word was answered.</p>
+
+<p>"What will Mother say?" she said, sweeping up the
+broken pieces of poor Blue Pitcher. "Won't she be sorry!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she will!" said Sauce Pan; "but it was his
+own fault! I think Jubey'll be sorrier! She thought
+Blue Pitcher one of her best friends. They were very
+con-fi-dent-ial. Only yesterday I heard her telling
+him that always after eating a hearty meal for which
+she had no appetite, she felt hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"What did Blue Pitcher say?" asked Aunty
+Rolling Pin.</p>
+
+<p>"Never paid any 'tention&mdash;just said: 'Humph,
+Jubey, I know where a lot of cat-tails grow!'</p>
+
+<p>"'You do, do you?' said Jubey. 'I'd like to know.'</p>
+
+<p>"'On little kittens!' said Blue Pitcher."</p>
+
+<p>The Kitchen People laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Bet Sauce Pan made that all up," whispered
+Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Sauce Pan, overhearing, "I&mdash;I don't
+tell <i>tails!</i>"</p>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>MARY FRANCES GIVES A COOKING LESSON</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 113px;">
+<img src="images/i134a.jpg" width="113" height="177" alt="&quot;You can get along nicely&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"COME!" said Mary Frances. "This is enough
+nonsense for one day.</div>
+
+<p>"Now, Kitchen People, I promised to
+give a friend of mine a cooking lesson. If I bring her
+now, can you help us,&mdash;as you generally do me?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, smiling; "but
+perhaps you have learned by this time pretty nearly
+well enough to do an easy lesson without our help.
+We can't talk before other people, you know. Perhaps
+the little girl's own Kitchen People will help her some
+time."</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"Well, it's a very easy lesson, I think.&mdash;'Apple
+Snow,' she added. And 'a promise 's a promise!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," interrupted Sauce Pan, "you can get along
+nicely with that recipe."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 464px;">
+<img src="images/i134b.jpg" width="464" height="183" alt="The little girls had a lovely time." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I can," said Mary Frances, happily.
+"I'll go over for Eleanor now."</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>The little girls had a lovely time doing just as Mary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+Frances' mother had written in the recipe. The
+Kitchen People watched out of the corners of their eyes,
+but never said a word.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, isn't this good," sighed Eleanor, eating the
+light, delicious dessert. Then, "Mary Frances, I
+know; I'm going to ask my mother for a cook book!
+I wonder if you'll let me borrow yours some time to
+show her."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course!" laughed Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Just then there was a ring at the door-bell.</p>
+
+<p>In came Aunt Maria with a mysterious looking
+bundle.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, my dear, you have company, I see," said
+the old lady with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Eleanor, "Mary Frances
+has been giving me a cooking lesson."</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances shook her head and put her finger
+to her mouth, but Eleanor didn't understand.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i135a.jpg" width="111" height="259" alt="&quot;Oh, isn&#39;t this good.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"A cooking lesson!" exclaimed Aunt Maria.
+"A cooking lesson! Mary Frances! A cooking
+lesson!"</p>
+
+<p>Then she began to laugh.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 319px;">
+<img src="images/i135b.jpg" width="319" height="197" alt="Then she began to laugh." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, my dear!" she said. "I'm so happy I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+crying. Silly old me!" and she wiped the tears from
+her spectacles.</p>
+
+<p>"Mary Frances, dear," she said, at length, "I heard
+about the lovely things you made Mary Ann Hooper;
+and I found out, too, by wheedlin' it out of her, about
+the cooking lessons&mdash;and here's a surprise for you,"
+and she handed the bundle to the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Aunt Maria!" cried Mary Frances unwrapping
+it. "Look, Eleanor!&mdash;a little cap and apron!"</p>
+
+<p>"To wear at your cooking lessons," fluttered Aunt
+Maria.</p>
+
+<p>"How dear and lovely!" (Trying them on.) "Look,
+Eleanor, they just fit!"</p>
+
+<p>"You're the happiest girl in the world!" sighed
+Eleanor.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i136a.jpg" width="110" height="173" alt="A little cap" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I should be, if Mother were really well," said
+Mary Frances; "but she's much better, and is coming
+home soon. Aunt Maria," she added,&mdash;"oh, I want
+you to share the secret! I'm doing all the lessons
+she had written out for me in my cook book&mdash;to surprise
+her when she comes home!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" said Aunt Maria. "I'll tell you!&mdash;you
+can get dinner ready the day she comes!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 239px;">
+<img src="images/i136b.jpg" width="239" height="186" alt="and apron." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't that be perfectly lovely!" said Mary
+Frances.</p><div class="figleft" style="width: 108px;">
+<img src="images/i137a.jpg" width="108" height="287" alt="parcel" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Then, suddenly thinking,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Aunt Maria, excuse me, please! Won't you
+have some of our lesson?&mdash;Some of the Apple Snow we
+made for our lesson, I mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd ap-pre-ci-ate the kindness," said the old lady
+a little stiffly, as though a bit ashamed of her softness
+a moment ago. But after tasting the treat, she said:</p>
+
+<p>"It's the most beautiful snow I ever saw, little
+girls,&mdash;even more beautiful than that on which I, so
+many years ago, used to pull a sled."</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;">
+<img src="images/i137b.jpg" width="525" height="431" alt="&quot;Look, Eleanor, they just fit!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE PICNIC</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 104px;">
+<img src="images/i138a.jpg" width="104" height="170" alt="&quot;To the circus?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"CAN'T guess where I'm going to-day," laughed
+Mary Frances, coming into the kitchen
+next morning.</div>
+
+<p>"To the circus?" guessed Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"Not to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"To the fair?" guessed Coffee Pot.</p>
+
+<p>"No!"</p>
+
+<p>"To the Zo-ol-og-ic-al Garden," guessed Sauce Pan,
+again, beginning to recite:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"'The Pan-Cans went to the Zoo,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It long had been their wish</span><br />
+To see the Baking Panimals<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the wildly Chafing Dish.'"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 280px;">
+<img src="images/i138b.jpg" width="280" height="177" alt="&quot;Wrong! All wrong!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Wrong!" laughed Mary Frances. "All wrong!&mdash;Perhaps
+this will help you guess"&mdash;opening the cook
+book.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 28.&mdash;Stuffed Eggs.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Hard-boil eggs.</p>
+
+<p>2. Drop into cold water. Remove shells.</p>
+
+<p>3. Cut each in half lengthwise.</p>
+
+<p>4. Turn out yolks into a bowl.</p>
+
+<p>5. Carefully place whites together in pairs.</p>
+
+<p>6. Mash yolks with back of a spoon.</p>
+
+<p>7. For every 6 yolks, put into the bowl</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon mustard (the kind prepared for table)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>dash cayenne pepper</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>8. Rub these together thoroughly with the yolks.</p>
+
+<p>9. Make little balls of this paste, the size of the yolks.</p>
+
+<p>10. Fit one ball into each pair whites.</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Note.</span>&mdash;If used for table, serve with White Sauce poured around them.
+If used for picnic, wrap waxed paper around each until needed.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i139a.jpg" width="111" height="225" alt="Stuffed Eggs." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"It's a picnic! It's a picnic!" cried the Kitchen
+People.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!" explained Mary Frances, "that's it! Aunt
+Maria is giving me a picnic to 'celebrate my ambition,'
+she says&mdash;whatever that means. Anyhow, Father's
+coming. He's going to make up for the lunch he
+couldn't come to. I'm so happy!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 282px;">
+<img src="images/i139b.jpg" width="282" height="189" alt="&quot;It&#39;s a picnic!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So'm I! Goody! Goody! I'm all ready!"</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances turned.</p>
+
+<p>"If it isn't Basket!" she cried. "I had no idea you&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That I wanted to go?" asked Basket proudly.
+"My family are the most important 'picnickers' at
+any picnic! We always go!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, to be sure!" exclaimed Mary Frances.
+"Here, wait&mdash;these eggs will be ready in a minute!"</p>
+
+<p>"Tuck the napkin in carefully, please," said Basket.
+"I won't spill them out. Anything else?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria said I
+could bring just one thing&mdash;and to surprise everybody;
+so I have not told anyone what I am going to bring.
+I wonder if&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i140a.jpg" width="112" height="219" alt="&quot;I&mdash;want&mdash;to&mdash;go!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>But her thought was cut short by Coffee Pot's
+crying excitedly: "I want to go! I want to go! I&mdash;want&mdash;to&mdash;go!
+go! go! go! I want to go&mdash;go&mdash;go&mdash;go!&mdash;go&mdash;go!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you can't go!" said Sauce Pan. "Why&mdash;you!&mdash;you'd&mdash;you&mdash;you'd&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 401px;">
+<img src="images/i140b.jpg" width="401" height="184" alt="&quot;Goody! Goody! I&#39;m all ready!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"That will do," said Mary Frances. "I'll take
+you, Coffee Pot. Maybe Aunt Maria's little coffee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+pot won't be large enough for all of the picnic. Eleanor
+and Bob are going with us!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i141a.jpg" width="112" height="422" alt="fields" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Coffee Pot looked tri-umph-ant-ly at Sauce Pan,
+but seemed too happy to say anything.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye, Kitchen People," said Mary Frances,
+"I wish I could take you all."</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye," cried the Kitchen People; "hope
+you'll have a lovely time!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd be scared," said Sauce Pan, glancing at Coffee
+Pot. "Who knows what's in the woods?" And as
+Mary Frances closed the door, he was singing:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"'If polar bears were everywheres,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And leopards came to tea,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And fearful bats and gnawing gnats</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">All came to eat with me,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And giant snakes ate all the cakes,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">What a "picnic" that would be!'"</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6.5em;">"Boo!!!"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 526px;">
+<img src="images/i141b.jpg" width="526" height="292" alt="&quot;I&#39;ll take you, Coffee Pot.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE CANDY PULL</div>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 104px;">
+<img src="images/i142a.jpg" width="104" height="185" alt="Teased Sauce Pan" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='cap'>"GET scared at the 'Pic-wick,'&mdash;I mean 'Picnic,'&mdash;Coffey,"
+teased Sauce Pan next morning.</div>
+
+<p>"Nope," said Coffee Pot, "the 'airing' did
+me good. I feel lots clearer."</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"Tell us about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm not good at story telling! The Aunt told
+about the funniest recipe she knew,&mdash;called 'Merry
+Land Biscuits,' I think. Anyhow, she said to 'beat
+'em twenty minutes with an axe!'"</p>
+
+<p>"That's a kitchen person I never heard of," said
+Tea Kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?"
+asked Aunty Rolling Pin, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and she talked about Mary Frances' de-vel-op-ment
+of char-ac-ter&mdash;whatever that is. It seemed
+to have something to do with cooking, for at the same
+time, she told about the things our little Miss had
+made, and seemed so proud.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 528px;">
+<img src="images/i142b.jpg" width="528" height="142" alt="&quot;Did the Aunt like the little Miss&#39; cooking?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"'May I see your book, my dear?' she asked Mary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+Frances (for our little mistress had the book tucked
+under her arm). 'How far are you?' And when
+Mary Frances showed her:</p>
+
+<p>"'Candy!' she exclaimed, 'Why, to-morrow, my
+dear (she never used to call her my dear), you can
+have a Candy Pull&mdash;only,' she laughed, 'it isn't the
+kind that is pulled.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, Aunt Maria,' said Mary Frances, 'that's
+the loveliest thought&mdash;the Candy Pull, I mean.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Humph," said Sauce Pan, "I don't think so!
+That means we can't help her."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, it doesn't," said Aunty Rolling Pin.
+"We can help her a great deal by just doing our part.
+Don't you see? She doesn't need us as she used
+to."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i143a.jpg" width="115" height="208" alt="&quot;Candy!&quot; she exclaimed" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I 'spose we ought to be glad," said Sauce Pan.</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>"Now, Eleanor," said Mary Frances that evening,
+"Father and the boys aren't invited until after the
+candy is made."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are they now&mdash;do you know?" asked
+Eleanor.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 453px;">
+<img src="images/i143b.jpg" width="453" height="171" alt="&quot;We can help her a great deal&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Father and Aunt Maria are in the library, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+the boys are up in Billy's den! So we'll read the recipes
+over first thing, and get started soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Do read them, Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "I'm so
+anxious&mdash;I'm just 'crazy' to learn how to make them."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Mary Frances, "the first is 'Pickaninny
+Fudge!' Isn't that just like Mother!&mdash;to call
+Chocolate Fudge that cute name!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry, Mary Frances; do read it," cried Eleanor,
+delighted.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances read:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">No. 29.&mdash;Pickaninny Fudge.</span></p>
+
+<p>
+2 cups sugar<br />
+1 cup milk<br />
+2 tablespoons butter<br />
+4 squares chocolate (4 ounces)<br />
+5 drops vanilla<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>1. Put sugar, milk, chocolate and butter together in a pan.</p>
+
+<p>2. Boil until a few drops harden when dropped into cold water.</p>
+
+<p>3. Butter a platter.</p>
+
+<p>4. Add Vanilla to candy and stir while it cools.</p>
+
+<p>5. Cut into squares with a buttered knife while still soft.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 105px;">
+<img src="images/i144a.jpg" width="105" height="265" alt="Mary Frances read" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"That just makes my 'mouth water,' Mary
+Frances," said Eleanor. "If the next is as good as
+that&mdash;&mdash;!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is!" declared Mary Frances. "Listen!</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 354px;">
+<img src="images/i144b.jpg" width="354" height="191" alt="&quot;Hurry; do read it.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 30.&mdash;Walnut Kisses.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup brown sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup granulated sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; cup cold water</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>white 1 egg</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>1. Boil sugars and water together until a few drops harden when
+dropped into cold water.</p>
+
+<p>2. Beat white of egg stiff.</p>
+
+<p>3. Pour the sugar syrup very slowly upon the white of egg, beating
+all the time.</p>
+
+<p>4. Butter a platter.</p>
+
+<p>5. Drop by tablespoonfuls on the platter.</p>
+
+<p>6. Put a half walnut on each little mound or "kiss."</p></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/i145a.jpg" width="100" height="194" alt="Walnut Kisses." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"These are 'grand,'" said Mary Frances. "Mother
+made some just before she was ill."</p>
+
+<p>"But have you the walnuts?" asked Eleanor,
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," explained Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria
+saw these recipes yesterday at the picnic, and she
+brought over a lot of walnuts ready for us. If she
+hadn't, I'd never have thought of them, I guess."</p>
+
+<p>"Now&mdash;to work! You can make the Walnut
+Kisses&mdash;if you like."</p>
+
+<p>"If you'll explain it all to me," said Eleanor.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 240px;">
+<img src="images/i145b.jpg" width="240" height="206" alt="&quot;Now&mdash;to work!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Of course I will," said Mary Frances; "but you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+see, Mother has written out every single action just as
+you do it,&mdash;that makes it so easy. See if you can do it
+alone&mdash;try."</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i146a.jpg" width="114" height="496" alt="plate with kisses" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"I'd love to," said Eleanor.</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>The little girls worked pretty quietly until they
+were ready to pour out the candy.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you getting along, children?" inquired
+Aunt Maria at the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Aunty, I'm so glad you came" said Mary
+Frances; "we were just a little afraid&mdash;without help."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I see," said Aunt Maria; "you might easily
+be burned. This is perfect so far. Now&mdash;&mdash;" and
+she showed the children how to pour out the candy.</p>
+
+<p>("Almost as well as the Kitchen People could,"
+thought Mary Frances.)</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>"Walnut Kisses," said her father, kissing Mary
+Frances good-night, "are next best to real kisses,
+which, although they are made of nothing&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Fudge!" exclaimed Billy, and everybody
+laughed.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 539px;">
+<img src="images/i146b.jpg" width="539" height="240" alt="They were ready to pour out the candy." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>GETTING READY FOR A PARTY</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i147a.jpg" width="114" height="262" alt="Put on her pretty little cap." title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"HOW time flies!"</div>
+
+<p>Mary Frances tied on her new apron
+and put on her pretty little cap.</p>
+
+<p>"Fly time is nearly gone," said Sauce Pan, "and&mdash;school
+time is almost here," he added, seeing Mary
+Frances didn't seem to notice.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, "but before school time, there's a
+grand good time&mdash;Mother comes home to-morrow!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle. "So soon?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Mary Frances, "it doesn't seem soon
+when I think of it without my cooking lessons&mdash;but
+when I think I'm nearly through the book&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What's to-day's lesson?" asked Aunty Rolling
+Pin. "I'm so anxious you do get through!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Aunty Rolling Pin, I must tell you.
+I'm going to give a Tea Party!"</p>
+
+<p>"A Tea Party!" exclaimed Tea Pot, clapping his
+lid up and down. "Oh, lovely!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 217px;">
+<img src="images/i147b.jpg" width="217" height="163" alt="&quot;A Tea Party!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, this is a Tea Party without tea," said Mary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>
+Frances. "We're going to have two kinds of cake,&mdash;and
+cocoa!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, seeing how disappointed Tea Pot looked:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I will have tea, too. Aunt Maria without
+tea! That will never do!"</p>
+
+<p>"Now for the next recipe:</p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 31.&mdash;Sponge Cake.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>2 eggs</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1/3 cup boiling water</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon vanilla (or lemon extract)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1&frac12; teaspoon baking powder</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>dash of salt</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Separate yolks of eggs and beat in a large bowl.</p>
+
+<p>2. Add gradually half the sugar, stirring well.</p>
+
+<p>3. Add the boiling water slowly.</p>
+
+<p>4. Add remaining sugar, and the flavoring.</p>
+
+<p>5. Sift together twice flour, baking powder and salt.</p>
+
+<p>6. Sift by small quantities into the mixture, beating well each
+time.</p>
+
+<p>7. Beat whites of eggs and fold them into the cake.</p>
+
+<p>8. Grease pan. Toss around in it &frac14; cup flour. Throw out.
+This prevents sticking.</p>
+
+<p>9. Pour in the cake.</p>
+
+<p>10. Bake in a moderate oven about 35 minutes.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i148a.jpg" width="110" height="171" alt="&quot;Aunt Maria without tea!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<p>"Humph!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that's all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
+right, but it doesn't give you much idea how the oven
+should be."</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 262px;">
+<img src="images/i148b.jpg" width="262" height="146" alt="&quot;Humph!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"No," explained Mary Frances, "I 'spose Mother
+intended to show me about that."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that
+was it. Now, I'll tell you all about cake&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i149a.jpg" width="110" height="364" alt="&quot;I&#39;ll tell you all about cake.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"What's that!" a queer, muffled voice.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances started in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>A great com-mo-tion inside the pantry, and the
+sound of many little voices! Then she made out the
+words:</p>
+
+<p>"Get out of my way! Here, you, step aside!"
+(Then a little shriek or two followed by the sound of
+falling tins.) "Oh, you knocked my nose. There!
+that makes the fiftieth dent! No wonder I look old
+and worn out. Can't you wait a minute?"</p>
+
+<p>At length there came a pounding on the door, and
+a high little voice&mdash;or was it two voices?</p>
+
+<p>"Let me out! Oh, I say, please let us out!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy!" thought Mary Frances, "I hope there
+isn't going to be any trouble." And she cautiously
+opened the pantry door a little way. The two Cake
+Tins pushed their way out.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 271px;">
+<img src="images/i149b.jpg" width="271" height="147" alt="The two Cake Tins." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you!" they said, breathlessly, in chorus
+(looking at each other all the while as though they'd
+learned and rehearsed every word). "I thought I'd
+never get out to help! I've listened through the door
+to every lesson, just hoping my turn would come.
+There I was back of the other pots and pans, and when
+I heard 'Cake' I just jumped!"</p>
+
+<p>"As I had just started to say"&mdash;Aunty Rolling
+Pin began.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about cakes!" cried the
+Cake Tins, angrily. "If everybody'd just mind his
+own cooking&mdash;who ever rolls cakes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I know about cookies," said Aunty Rolling
+Pin; "and besides, I know about most things,&mdash;I
+belonged to a real cooking teacher!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 104px;">
+<img src="images/i150a.jpg" width="104" height="125" alt="&quot;Prove it!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Prove it!" cried the Cake Tins.</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "here's part of a
+lecture the teacher used to give:</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 447px;">
+<img src="images/i150b.jpg" width="447" height="140" alt="&quot;What do you know about cakes?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now, ladies, you can see the ex-ceed-ing-ly good
+texture of this cake, as I drop it from the spoon. The
+nu-tri-tive value of the ut-il-ized com-po-si-tion is
+unequaled, except in rare cases of cul-in-ary e-con-om-y.
+For instance, the proteids, the car-bon-a-ce-ous contrib-u-tions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
+plus the con-di-ments, afford an instance of
+un-u-su-al strength-giving power. The in-ex-cus-a-ble
+prod-i-gal-i-ty of the A-mer-i-can house-wife&mdash;&mdash;'"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 548px;">
+<img src="images/i151.jpg" width="548" height="743" alt="&quot;I&#39;ll make the sponge cake first,&quot; said Mary Frances." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle, "for pity's sake,
+stop it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" said Square Cake Tin, "I don't see
+that that proves you know anything about cake. Now
+I'll explain:</p>
+
+<p>"There are really only two kinds of cake in general:</p>
+
+<p>"1. Cakes without butter, or some form of sponge
+cakes.</p>
+
+<p>"2. Cakes with butter, or plain cakes.</p>
+
+<p>"More important than the mixing of the cake is the
+baking.</p>
+
+<p>"Have a rather low fire, which will grad-u-al-ly
+increase in heat without adding more fuel.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 117px;">
+<img src="images/i152a.jpg" width="117" height="185" alt="&quot;Now I&#39;ll explain.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Rules:</p>
+
+<p>"Thin cakes require a hotter oven than larger ones.</p>
+
+<p>"Molasses cakes will burn easily, so require a cooler
+oven than others.</p>
+
+<p>"Sponge cakes require a 'slower' oven than butter
+cakes.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 482px;">
+<img src="images/i152b.jpg" width="482" height="265" alt="&quot;Whew! for pity&#39;s sake, stop it!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Cake is done when it shrinks from the sides of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+pan, or when a straw comes out dry. You know the
+way, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mary Frances. "My, what a lot you
+do know!"</p>
+
+<p>"Now, read the next recipe, please. The butter
+kind," said Mary Frances; whereat the Cake Tins
+looked pleased.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i153a.jpg" width="115" height="237" alt="The Cake Tins looked pleased." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 32.&mdash;Dream Cake.</span></div>
+<div class="center">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>4 tablespoons butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 eggs</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; cup milk</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1&frac14; cups flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 teaspoons baking powder</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1/8 teaspoon ground mace</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>dash of salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 teaspoon vanilla</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Put butter in a bowl; add sugar. "Cream" or rub thoroughly
+together.</p>
+
+<p>2. Beat yolks of eggs. Add to butter and sugar, stirring well.</p>
+
+<p>3. Mix and sift twice flour, baking powder, mace and salt.</p>
+
+<p>4. Add one-third of the milk to the yolks, butter and sugar.</p>
+
+<p>5. Sift in one-third of the flour. Do this until all the milk and
+flour are used, beating well each time.</p>
+
+<p>6. Add vanilla. Beat well.</p>
+
+<p>7. Beat white of eggs light. Fold them into the cake.</p>
+
+<p>8. Grease shallow pan as in No. 31. Pour in the cake.</p>
+
+<p>9. Bake in moderate oven about 35 minutes, or until it shrinks
+from the pan.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 363px;">
+<img src="images/i153b.jpg" width="363" height="179" alt="&quot;Now, read the next recipe.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We'll both be used!" exclaimed the Cake Pans,
+joyously. "I told you so! I told you!" they cried at
+each other as though having an argument.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," said Mary Frances, "less talking. We
+must get to work."</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the oven first," said the Cake Pans, as
+Mary Frances started to break the eggs.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it right?" asked the little girl, lifting them up
+to see.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," they said, "it will be just right when we
+are ready."</p>
+
+<p>"All the ma-ter-i-als you'll need ready?" asked
+Round Cake Tin after a minute.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," looking over the table, "I see&mdash;everything.
+Good!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 116px;">
+<img src="images/i154a.jpg" width="116" height="226" alt="&quot;We must get to work.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I brought the butter into the warm room an hour
+ago," said Mary Frances, "so that it would be softened
+by the time I needed it. I'll make the sponge cake
+first, as the oven will be cooler then."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 293px;">
+<img src="images/i154b.jpg" width="293" height="154" alt="&quot;We&#39;ll both be used!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Right!" cried the Cake Tins; "but when you
+open the oven door, be careful to do so gently, as any
+jarring will break the 'gas bubbles' very easily, doing
+much more harm toward making the cake heavy than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+the air; in fact, if the door is opened carefully, and not
+too soon, it does no harm."</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>With the Cake Tins' help, a warm and tired, but
+very happy little girl brought two golden brown fragrant
+cakes to the table one-half hour before lunch time.</p>
+
+<p>"Turn us on our sides," panted the Cake Tins, "to
+let us cool off quickly and evenly. My, but it was warm
+in there!"</p>
+
+<p>"How beautiful the cakes look!" said Mary
+Frances, doing as she was told.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not take a taste?" Square Cake Tin asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's just before lunch time," said Mary
+Frances, "and would spoil my ap-pe-tite. Mother
+doesn't allow me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Just one sweet mouthful?" tempted Cake Tin.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems so good. I guess I will&mdash;just this once,"
+and cutting a piece, she ate it.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," she cried, "my beautiful cake! Look, it's
+sinking down in the middle!" The tears came to
+her eyes.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i155a.jpg" width="114" height="191" alt="&quot;Oh, I&#39;m so, so sorry&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm so, so sorry," said Cake Tin, "I was too
+excited and proud!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 425px;">
+<img src="images/i155b.jpg" width="425" height="195" alt="One-half hour before lunch time." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you tell me," Mary Frances asked,
+"that a fresh cake, if cut, would 'fall?'"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i156a.jpg" width="115" height="136" alt="cake" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Cake Tin, "I meant to be so helpful.
+I'll try never to be too proud again."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 544px;">
+<img src="images/i156b.jpg" width="544" height="606" alt="&quot;Is it right?&quot; asked the little girl, lifting them up to see." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>THE TEA PARTY</div>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>MARY FRANCES didn't eat much lunch.</div>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i157a.jpg" width="107" height="242" alt="&quot;What&#39;s the matter, child?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"What's the matter, child?" asked Aunt
+Maria, anxiously. "'Homesick' for Mother?&mdash;or
+was to-day's lesson too hard?"</p>
+
+<p>Then Mary Frances told of cutting and eating the
+fresh cake. "And, Aunt Maria," she said, the tears
+flowing down her cheeks, "it went</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+down!<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">down!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 10em;">down!</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>until I was afraid it would rise out of the bottom of
+the pan the other way."</div>
+
+
+
+<p>"Never mind, dear child," Aunt Maria comforted
+her. "I did the same thing to my first cake. I remember
+it well!"</p>
+
+<p>"You did, Aunt Maria?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the old lady. "I'll tell you what we'll
+do! I'll bake a cake in place of yours for to-night's
+party. Don't tell any one."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 433px;">
+<img src="images/i157b.jpg" width="433" height="207" alt="&quot;It went down! down! down!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, Aunt Maria," cried Mary Frances;
+"that's so kind!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a word to any one!" cau-tion-ed Aunt Maria.
+"What else do you have?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cocoa," said Mary Frances; "I can make that."</p>
+
+<p>"My," smiled Aunt Maria, "I'm so proud."</p>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>After the games and riddles, Mary Frances excused
+herself from her guests, and made the cocoa and the
+pot of tea for her aunt. Then Billy carried in the tray,
+on which she had placed the cake, and the cups and
+saucers, plates, napkins, and Chocolate Pot, and, oh,
+yes, Tea Pot, for Aunt Maria; and she poured the cocoa
+like a real grown lady, while the boys passed the plates
+and the cake, and served the guests to the cups of cocoa.</p>
+
+<p>"Did Mary Frances make this cake?" asked one
+of the guests. ("I'm awfully glad she didn't ask about
+the other," thought the little girl.)</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i158a.jpg" width="114" height="261" alt="&quot;Did Mary Frances make this cake?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Eleanor's brother Bob. "Yes; knowing
+the greatness of the present oc-ca-sion, I have
+written a poem, en-ti-tled, 'Ode to the Cook' (bowing
+to Mary Frances), which, with your kind indulgence, I
+will now read:"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 281px;">
+<img src="images/i158b.jpg" width="281" height="194" alt="&quot;Ode to the Cook&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Begin!" laughed Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Bob cleared his throat and began:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Mary Frances is a girl<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Who cooks for you and I;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">She can boil a fancy cake</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Or stew a cherry pie.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Once she made a pot of soup<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And served it for our dinner;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We thought that we were like to die,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">It made us so much thinner."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Time to weep?" asked Billy, pa-thet-i-cal-ly.</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Now, this, our cook will save expense,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">For when she is your baker,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">You may save your doctor's bill&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Just get an undertaker."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 106px;">
+<img src="images/i159a.jpg" width="106" height="227" alt="&quot;Oh, Bob, I say&mdash;&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now, Billy," cried Mary Frances, "what have
+you been telling?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Bob, I say&mdash;" said Billy.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 176px;">
+<img src="images/i159b.jpg" width="176" height="173" alt="&quot;Begin!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Mary Frances, don't mind Bob," interrupted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+Eleanor. "You see what I have to stand all the time."
+And Mary Frances laughed heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you think I minded Bob?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Show you forgive me, Mary Frances," begged
+Bob, "by letting me have another cup of cake, and
+another piece of cocoa."</p>
+
+<p>"Not <i>another</i>," laughingly corrected Mary Frances.
+"To be polite, I believe I must pretend I didn't notice
+you'd had any."</p>
+
+<p>"You certainly are kind, Mary Frances," said Bob,
+"when I don't know how many pieces&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I know," cried Eleanor,&mdash;"this makes the fifth!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Nell," begged Bob, "don't tell Mother."</p>
+
+<p>"You deserve it," said Eleanor.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 104px;">
+<img src="images/i160a.jpg" width="104" height="248" alt="&quot;Don&#39;t tell Mother.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Come," said Billy, "all ready! another game!
+'Blind feeds Blind!'" And they blindfolded the boys'
+eyes, and sat them opposite each other, each with a
+plate of little pieces of cake, and a spoon. They were
+to try to feed each other. The one who dropped the
+least number of pieces, and whose cake was first gone,
+won. It was very funny! Sometimes the spoon was
+poked into the other boy's ear; sometimes it hit his
+nose.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 439px;">
+<img src="images/i160b.jpg" width="439" height="207" alt="&quot;Blind feeds blind" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i161a.jpg" width="112" height="343" alt="cakes" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"Everything was grand, Mary Frances," said
+Eleanor, "and it was the loveliest party!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so, too," smiled Aunt Maria.</p>
+
+<p>"One last riddle," said Mary Frances' father,
+bidding the young people good-night:</p>
+
+<p>"'Why is Mary Frances the happiest girl in the
+world?'"</p>
+
+<p>Then they all guessed&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Because 'Mother' is coming home to-morrow!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mary Frances," laughed Eleanor, "I've had
+more fun! Good-night, dear." And "So have we all
+of us," and "Thank you," cried the others.</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Good-night!"<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">"Good-night!"</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 11.5em;">"Good-night!"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 528px;">
+<img src="images/i161b.jpg" width="528" height="371" alt="&quot;Never mind, dear child.&quot; Aunt Maria comforted her." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 125px;">
+<img src="images/i162a.jpg" width="125" height="151" alt="&quot;You are!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>"OH, my dear Kitchen People, I'm so happy,
+I don't know whether I'm myself or not!"</div>
+
+<p>"You are!" solemnly declared Sauce
+Pan,&mdash;"I mean you are our little 'Miss'&mdash;Miss Mary
+Frances."</p>
+
+<p>"My, I feel so relieved!" said Mary Frances.
+"Since that is so, I'll tell you why I'm so excited!
+Mother is coming home to-day&mdash;and&mdash;I'm going to
+get dinner. Isn't it lovely?"</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody," shouted Tea Kettle, "ready!"</p>
+
+<p>With that, every utensil in the kitchen sprang to its
+queer little feet.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 296px;">
+<img src="images/i162b.jpg" width="296" height="202" alt="&quot;Everybody, ready!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"We're all quite ready, Mistress," said Tea Kettle,
+trying to make a bow, but looking very clumsy and
+ri-dic-u-lous, trying at the same time to keep water
+from spilling out of his nose.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, everybody," said Mary Frances,
+very gravely, however. "I'll not need anyone just now
+but Aunty Rolling Pin. Where is she?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She's out picking cherries to make a pumpkin
+pie," said Sauce Pan in a loud whisper to Pie Plate.</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am, child," Aunty Rolling Pin's voice
+answered. "I can't seem to roll out. Get out of my
+way&mdash;you!"</p>
+
+<p>With that, Knife, Fork and Spoon slid to the side
+of the table, and she rolled to the edge.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, child?" she smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the grandest thing!" said Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i163a.jpg" width="114" height="309" alt="Slid to the side of the table." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 33.&mdash;Queen of Hearts Tarts.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>Spread cooked heart-shaped pastry shells with preserved
+cherries. See No. 34.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Tarts!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Oh, my
+handles! I'm so happy! Are the cherries ready,
+child?" she asked, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mary Frances, "I am to use</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 306px;">
+<img src="images/i163b.jpg" width="306" height="126" alt="&quot;What is it child?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 34.&mdash;Pastry.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 cup flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1/3 cup lard</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1/3 cup cold water</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>(Use as little water as possible.)</p>
+
+<p>1. Sift salt and flour into a bowl.</p>
+
+<p>2. Rub lard into flour with finger tips until like coarse powder.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>3. Add half the cold water, stirring with a knife to form a stiff
+ball. Keep this on one side of the bowl.</p>
+
+<p>4. Stir in more water until the remaining flour forms a ball. Press
+these balls together.</p>
+
+<p>5. Roll out. Fit to pie plate. Trim off overhanging edges.</p>
+
+<p>6. Bake in a hot oven.</p></div>
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i164a.jpg" width="103" height="335" alt="&quot;That&#39;s it!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>"That's it!" exclaimed Aunty Rolling Pin, joyously.
+"I was afraid there might not be 'shortening' or lard
+enough in the recipe. The whole art of making good
+pastry is in having one-third as much lard as flour,
+and using as little water as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"I was afraid, too, that your mother would not put
+'pastry' in the book, for when flour or starch grains
+are coated in fat they are too dry to 'swell' well in
+cooking, and cannot burst open. They are not, I'm
+sorry to say, a very di-ges-ti-ble food."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad she did, though," said Mary Frances;
+"she will not often let us eat 'pastry,' but I 'spect she
+im-ag-ined how pleased I'd be. I wonder why pie tastes
+so good, if it isn't good for us? My, how much I have
+to do! Now I'm ready!"</p>
+
+<p>At these words, Middle-sized Bowl sprang upon
+the table.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 327px;">
+<img src="images/i164b.jpg" width="327" height="184" alt="Sprang upon the table." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Measuring Cup dumped a cup of flour into it, and
+ran toward the lard kettle, which was standing near.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the salt in the flour?" asked Aunty Rolling
+Pin, crit-i-cal-ly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Tea Spoon, "I put it in."</p>
+
+<p>"Who'll measure the lard?" asked Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"I will!" and Measuring Cup threw it into Bowl.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," laughed Mary Frances, "and what do
+I do?"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll do enough, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin,
+"before you get ready a whole big dinner, even with
+our help."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, really," said Mary Frances, "I 'spose I ought
+to explain: These tarts are more 'specially for Billy
+than for dinner. I promised him&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's all right," said Aunty Rolling Pin;
+"that only makes it nicer than ever!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i165a.jpg" width="114" height="234" alt="Dumped a cup of flour into it." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now," she went on, "rub the flour and lard
+together. Cover the lard with the flour. Yes, that's
+it! Now, rub them together until it seems like coarse
+powder. You could use a knife instead, chopping the
+lard all through."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 360px;">
+<img src="images/i165b.jpg" width="360" height="179" alt="&quot;You&#39;ll do enough, child.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"That right?" asked Mary Frances, holding some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+down for Aunty Rolling Pin to look at, since she
+couldn't see over the edge of Bowl.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is right," she answered. "Now, you
+may use a knife for stirring and pour just a little water
+in&mdash;oh, mercy! child! (as Mary Frances was about
+to throw in a quarter of a glass) not that way! Make
+a little 'well' in the flour. Pour in about one tablespoon
+of water. Mix well. Let that rest at one side
+and do the same thing in another place, and then
+another, finally stirring all together into one big ball.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just right!" as Mary Frances lifted up the
+paste.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, sift a little flour on the board and&mdash;oh, how
+many tarts are you going to make?"</p>
+
+<p>"Six."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i166a.jpg" width="103" height="225" alt="&quot;All ready!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"All right. Cut the paste into five even pieces, and
+with <i>me</i> (Mary Frances laughed, Aunty Rolling Pin
+seemed so pleased) roll out each piece about one-eighth
+of an inch thick. After cutting out, save all the left-over
+trimmings to use for the last one. Plates ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"All ready!" answered the little heart-shaped
+Tart Plates.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 185px;">
+<img src="images/i166b.jpg" width="185" height="210" alt="&quot;That right?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"How do I make a pretty border?" asked Mary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+Frances, cutting the trimmings from the edge of
+Tart Plate with a knife held upright along the edge.</p>
+
+<p>Fork came dancing from the edge of the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I remember!" said Mary Frances, pressing
+the prongs into the outer edge of the crust.</p>
+
+<p>"They're grand!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin.
+"Can you bake them? You need a very hot oven to
+bake them."</p>
+
+<p>"But the cherries!" said Mary Frances, glad to
+think she had caught Aunty Rolling Pin in an oversight.</p>
+
+<p>"Not until the pastry's cooked, child," said Aunty
+Rolling Pin, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Frances slipped the little plates into the oven,
+and made room on the table to place the dinner as she
+prepared it.</p>
+
+<p>In a short fifteen minutes the tarts were ready.</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't they sweet!" the little girl exclaimed.
+"My! I wish they were thought to be very good for
+children!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 106px;">
+<img src="images/i167a.jpg" width="106" height="203" alt="&quot;Aren&#39;t they sweet!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"What's for dinner?" asked Tea Kettle, anxiously.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 374px;">
+<img src="images/i167b.jpg" width="374" height="189" alt="Slipped them into the oven." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you," said Mary Frances, "I've written
+out the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<span class="smcap">Menu</span><br />
+<br />
+Potato Soup<br />
+Pan-broiled Steak<br />
+Creamed Cabbage &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;     Mashed Potatoes<br />
+Tomato and Lettuce Salad<br />
+Banana Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce<br />
+Coffee<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 118px;">
+<img src="images/i168a.jpg" width="118" height="154" alt="&quot;Very elegant!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Very elegant!&mdash;but that's a lot to do, isn't it?"
+said Tea Kettle. "Perhaps, if you read over all the
+new recipes, and we talk them over when its each one's
+turn to commence, we can work better."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, Tea Kettle," said Mary Frances,
+"that is a very bright idea." Tea Kettle glistened.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll read them," continued Mary Frances, "as
+they come in the book."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 523px;">
+<img src="images/i168b.jpg" width="523" height="159" alt="&quot;Lettuce washed, and tomatoes sliced.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I have the lettuce well washed, and the tomatoes
+sliced. All I have to do is to dry the lettuce at dinner
+time, and soon I can make the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 35.&mdash;Salad Dressing.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 teaspoon salt</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac34; teaspoon mustard</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1&frac12; tablespoons sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 teaspoons flour</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac34; cup sour cream (or milk)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 egg</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon vinegar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>1 teaspoon butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>A few grains of red pepper.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Beat egg.</p>
+
+<p>2. Mix mustard, sugar, flour, salt and pepper.</p>
+
+<p>3. Add egg slowly, beating well at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>4. Add milk. Beat.</p>
+
+<p>5. Cook in a sauce pan placed in boiling water.</p>
+
+<p>6. Stir until it thickens like cream. Remove from heat at once.</p>
+
+<p>7. Add vinegar very slowly, beating all the while.</p>
+
+<p>8. Stir in the butter.</p>
+
+<p>Serve cold on lettuce or sliced tomatoes.</p></div>
+
+<p>"If this is cooked too long, it will 'curdle' or the
+be egg will become hard and separate," said Sauce Pan;
+"but I'll be careful. Now I'm ready for work."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 116px;">
+<img src="images/i169a.jpg" width="116" height="198" alt="&quot;I&#39;ll be careful.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>Mary Frances laughed. "Thank you, Sauce Pan,"
+she said, as he began to move around, going hither
+and thither.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 305px;">
+<img src="images/i169b.jpg" width="305" height="204" alt="&quot;Thank you, Sauce Pan.&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"The next recipes are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 36.&mdash;Creamed New Cabbage.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Cut in half and wash well a young green cabbage.</p>
+
+<p>2. Cut out and throw away the hard stem part.</p>
+
+<p>3. Make ready a kettle of boiling water. Put in cabbage. Leave
+uncovered.</p>
+
+<p>4. When the water boils, throw in 1 teaspoon salt and &frac14; teaspoon
+baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda).</p>
+
+<p>5. Boil gently about half hour, or until it begins to lose its bright
+green color. Lift out with skimmer.</p>
+
+<p>6. Pour over it White Sauce just before serving.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 119px;">
+<img src="images/i170a.jpg" width="119" height="202" alt="Young green cabbage." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 37.&mdash;Bread Pudding.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Cut slices of stale bread into squares of about one half inch.</p>
+
+<p>2. For 2 cups bread, allow</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>1 pint milk (2 cups)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 tablespoons sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2 eggs</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac14; teaspoon vanilla</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>3. Moisten bread with hot water.</p>
+
+<p>4. Butter pudding dish.</p>
+
+<p>5. Put into it the moistened bread.</p>
+
+<p>6. Beat yolks of eggs; add sugar; add milk.</p>
+
+<p>7. Pour this over the bread.</p>
+
+<p>8. Beat whites of eggs. Add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.
+Beat well.</p>
+
+<p>9. Spread this over top of pudding.</p>
+
+<p>10. Bake in moderate oven one half hour.</p>
+
+<p>11. Serve with Hard Sauce or cream.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 364px;">
+<img src="images/i170b.jpg" width="364" height="176" alt="Cut slices of stale bread." title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 38.&mdash;Banana Bread Pudding.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>Slice bananas over top of Bread Pudding before spreading on
+whites of eggs (No. 37).</p>
+
+<p>Serve with cream or Hard Sauce.</p></div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 39.&mdash;Hard Sauce.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="ingredients">
+<tr><td align='left'>4 tablespoons soft butter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac34; cup powdered sugar</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&frac12; teaspoon vanilla</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>beaten white of 1 egg</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>1. Make bowl and spoon hot with boiling water.</p>
+
+<p>2. "Cream" or rub butter and sugar together, adding sugar by
+spoonfuls.</p>
+
+<p>3. Add vanilla.</p>
+
+<p>4. Beat in the white of egg.</p>
+
+<p>5. Put in a cool place until needed.</p></div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 92px;">
+<img src="images/i171a.jpg" width="92" height="197" alt="To save a yolk." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Baking Dish, "that is very nice; but
+if you use the yolk of the egg in the pudding, it will save
+it, and make the pudding better."</p>
+
+<p>"To save a yolk, all you have to do (it was little
+Egg Beater) is to drop it into a cup and pour a little
+cold water over the top, to prevent its drying. You
+can use it next day, if you keep it cool."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 331px;">
+<img src="images/i171b.jpg" width="331" height="181" alt="&quot;Yes, that is very nice&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"It is wonderful," said Mary Frances, "what you
+Kitchen People know. If it weren't for your help, I'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+be afraid to try to get this dinner. I'd have to make
+only one thing a day, as Mother meant me to do."</p>
+
+<p>All the Kitchen People smiled happily.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that the last recipe?" asked Frying Pan.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Mary Frances. "Why, who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm Frying Pan, of the great Pan family, if you
+please, Miss," answered he.</p>
+
+<p>"Well! Well! Good friend," smiled Mary Frances,
+looking at her book, "your turn has come!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i172a.jpg" width="114" height="210" alt="Smiled happily" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 40.&mdash;Pan-broiled Beefsteak.</span></div>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>1. Heat an empty frying pan to blue heat, or until it smokes.
+<i>No greasing is necessary.</i></p>
+
+<p>2. Put in the steak.</p>
+
+<p>3. Cook half minute.</p>
+
+<p>4. Turn on other side.</p>
+
+<p>5. Cook about 4 minutes.</p>
+
+<p>6. Turn, and cook about 5 minutes longer.</p>
+
+<p>7. Place on a hot platter, and spread with butter.</p>
+
+<p>8. Sprinkle with a little pepper and salt, and 1 tablespoon finely
+chopped parsley.</p>
+
+<p>9. Squeeze over it a little lemon juice.</p>
+
+<p>10. Cover with another platter.</p>
+
+<p>11. Remove top platter just before serving.</p></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><span class="smcap">Note.</span>&mdash;Mutton or Lamb Chops are pan-broiled in the same way.</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 285px;">
+<img src="images/i172b.jpg" width="285" height="198" alt="&quot;I&#39;m Frying Pan.&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's it!" cried Frying Pan, delighted. "That's
+as good as broiling, though it took people a long time
+to find it out."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not!" cried Gridiron Broiler angrily clicking
+his wires. "It is not, Spider!"</p>
+
+<p>"For shame!" said Mary Frances. "Don't call
+names!"</p>
+
+<p>"He isn't calling names," answered Frying Pan,
+"that's my other name, Frying Pan Spider."</p>
+
+<p>Then to Gridiron he added, "Come, don't let's
+quarrel, you'll admit pan-broiling is very nearly as
+good for chops as broiling over the coals in a broiler,
+and quite as good for steaks&mdash;nearly."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i173a.jpg" width="114" height="223" alt="&quot;That&#39;s it!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"I was just getting ready to say," said Gridiron,
+"you didn't mean 'quite.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It's time to commence!" loudly struck in Mantel
+Clock.</p>
+
+<p>And then Mary Frances looked on in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>In walked Basket with the potatoes for the potato
+soup; up sprang Knife ready to pare them; over ran
+Boiler Pan with some water.</p>
+
+<p>"Why! Why!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Why!"</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 196px;">
+<img src="images/i173b.jpg" width="196" height="190" alt="&quot;It is not!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes!" said Tea Kettle, "we'll do everything in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+the recipes you've already made. All you need to do
+is to make the new recipes&mdash;with our help," which
+Mary Frances did.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever she'd make a mistake, some one of the
+Kitchen People would correct and help her.</p>
+
+<p>At six o'clock all the dinner was ready to serve,
+and the table was set.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, dear Kitchen People," said the
+beaming little girl; "this is the happiest time of my
+life."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i174a.jpg" width="112" height="248" alt="tarts" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 531px;">
+<img src="images/i174b.jpg" width="531" height="481" alt="&quot;They&#39;re grand!&quot; chuckled Auntie Rolling Pin. &quot;Can you bake them?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 522px;">
+<img src="images/i175.jpg" width="522" height="711" alt="&quot;You dear Lovely child,&quot; cried Mother." title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<div class='chaptertitle'>MOTHER'S SURPRISE</div>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i176a.jpg" width="115" height="288" alt="&quot;A secret?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class='cap'>AFTER one last look, Mary Frances, hearing
+the sound of carriage wheels, ran to answer
+the door before the bell rang; but Billy
+was there, too, and they opened the door
+together.</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mother!" cried Mary Frances; "you dear,
+darling Mother! What a 'cry-baby' I am!" (as the
+tears rolled down her cheeks, and Mother kissed her
+and Billy and Father again and again) "What a 'cry-baby!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Which she is not!" declared Billy. "Tell Mother,&mdash;Mary
+Frances, I can't wait for you to tell your
+secret!"</p>
+
+<p>"A secret?" smiled Mother. "A secret, Mary
+Frances?"</p>
+
+
+
+<p>"Oh, how good something smells!" said Mother.
+"It makes me hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"Come right out, then," said Mary Frances, bowing,
+"Dinner is Served."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 483px;">
+<img src="images/i176b.jpg" width="483" height="234" alt="&quot;You dear, darling Mother!&quot;" title="" />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Here?" asked her mother. "I im-ag-ined we'd
+go over to Aunt Maria's."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Mother, dear," laughed Mary Frances, happily;
+"it's the 'surprise' for you." And they went
+into the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Wh&mdash;wh&mdash;why! how did this happen?" asked
+Mother. "Where did this feast come from?"</p>
+
+<p>Everybody laughed and talked at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>"Mary Frances is guilty," laughed Billy; and Mary
+Frances "owned up."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother," said she, bringing her worn and somewhat
+soiled little cook book and putting it in her
+Mother's lap, "I've made everything! I've gone 'all
+through' my book! I got dinner to-night!&mdash;that's
+your surprise."</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 116px;">
+<img src="images/i177a.jpg" width="116" height="239" alt="&quot;How did this happen?&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"My own dear, lovely child!" said Mother. "You
+dear, precious baby-woman!" And taking Mary Frances
+in her lap, she hugged and kissed her again and again.</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 339px;">
+<img src="images/i177b.jpg" width="339" height="201" alt="&quot;I&#39;ve made everything!&quot;" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='center'><b>* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</b></div>
+
+<p>"I'm awfully sorry I couldn't exactly explain about
+you&mdash;you dear Kitchen People," whispered Mary
+Frances, going out to bid them good-night. "If it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+hadn't been for you, I never, never could have done it,&mdash;my
+dear, dear, friends."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll not need us soon again," said Tea Kettle,
+sadly. "We're sorry&mdash;yet we're glad that your
+mother will take our place as teacher now."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you help me when I do need you?" asked
+Mary Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"When you do," they promised, and she threw them
+a kiss.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-night, little Miss," they cried; and when
+she turned round again, they looked just like any
+or-din-ary kitchen utensils.</p>
+
+<p>For a minute she felt very lonely; then, remembering,
+she said gladly, "But they promised!"</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i178a.jpg" width="114" height="340" alt="Pots and pans" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 539px;">
+<img src="images/i178b.jpg" width="539" height="394" alt="&quot;Oh, Mother!&quot; cried Mary Frances." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3>
+<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p>
+
+<p><a href="#Page_vii">Page vii</a>, "Buscuits" changed to "Biscuits" (Baking Powder Biscuits)</p></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Mary Frances Cook Book, by Jane Earye Fryer
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+</pre>
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+</body>
+</html>
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+Project Gutenberg's The Mary Frances Cook Book, by Jane Earye Fryer
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Mary Frances Cook Book
+       Adventures Among the Kitchen People
+
+Author: Jane Earye Fryer
+
+Illustrator: Margaret G. Hays
+             Jane Allen Boyer
+
+Release Date: December 4, 2011 [EBook #38215]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jason Isbell, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Bold text is surrounded by =equal signs= and italic
+text is surrouned by _underscores_.]
+
+[Illustration: Cover]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Dedication:
+
+A book for all girls who love to help Mother.
+
+                                Jane Eayre Fryer]
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster carefully
+over.]
+
+
+[Illustration: Title]
+
+
+THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK
+
+OR ADVENTURES AMONG THE KITCHEN PEOPLE
+
+By JANE EAYRE FRYER
+
+    Full page illustrations by
+    MARGARET G. HAYS
+    Other illustrations by
+    JANE ALLEN BOYER
+
+
+
+
+    Copyright, 1912, by
+    JANE EAYRE FRYER
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+DEAR GIRLS:
+
+This book tells the story of Mary Frances, a little girl whose great
+ambition was to help her mother. So anxious was she to do this that even
+the humble Kitchen People became her teachers and instructors. They
+talked to her, a thing never heard of before; helped her over the hard
+places, and explained mysterious secrets she could never otherwise have
+understood. They wove around a simple little book of recipes her mother
+had made for her the spell of Fairyland; they led her through a series
+of delightful adventures such as never happened to any girl before, in
+which she lived for three whole happy weeks, and out of which she
+emerged no longer a little girl, but a real little woman.
+
+Some very wise people would call this a story book, some a manual
+training book, and others a cookery book, but Mary Frances knows better;
+she knows that it is a Book within a Book that introduced her to Aunty
+Rolling Pin and a lot of other dear, dear friends, such as no little
+girl ever had before, and whom she now wishes to introduce for the first
+time to all other little girls. (I know that she gained their consent to
+do this because she told me so.)
+
+In the hope that Mary Frances' wish may be realized, this record of her
+adventures is sent out to the girls of America with the best wishes of
+
+                                                  THE AUTHOR.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CONTENTS]
+
+
+    CHAPTER                                             PAGE
+        I. THE KITCHEN PEOPLE                             11
+       II. TOASTER MAN                                    14
+      III. MARY FRANCES' MOTHER                           24
+       IV. MARY FRANCES WARNS THE KITCHEN FOLKS           27
+        V. AUNT MARIA                                     30
+       VI. JACKET-BOILED POTATOES                         33
+      VII. THE POT-AND-KETTLE FIGHT                       40
+     VIII. THE POTATO LUNCH                               46
+       IX. MARY FRANCES GETS BREAKFAST                    56
+        X. THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP                         65
+       XI. A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA                           70
+      XII. THE TRAMP                                      75
+     XIII. COMPANY TO LUNCH                               83
+      XIV. A PATENT DISH-WASHING                          91
+       XV. THIMBLE BISCUITS                               94
+      XVI. THE DOLLS' KITCHEN PARTY                      104
+     XVII. THE SICK NEIGHBOR                             110
+
+[Illustration: COOK BOOK]
+
+    XVIII. A MAN'S LUNCH                                 116
+      XIX. POOR BLUE PITCHER                             127
+       XX. MARY FRANCES GIVES A COOKING LESSON           131
+      XXI. THE PICNIC                                    135
+     XXII. THE CANDY PULL                                139
+    XXIII. GETTING READY FOR A PARTY                     144
+     XXIV. THE TEA PARTY                                 154
+      XXV. MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER                      159
+     XXVI. MOTHER'S SURPRISE. "GOOD-BYE, LITTLE MISS"    173
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF RECIPES
+
+
+                                PAGE
+    1. PLAIN TOAST                15
+    2. BUTTERED TOAST             19
+    3. MILK TOAST                 20
+    4. JACKET-BOILED POTATOES     35
+    5. BAKED POTATOES             46
+    6. BOILED POTATOES            47
+    7. MASHED POTATOES            47
+    8. POTATO SOUP                49
+    9. BOILED EGGS                60
+    10. HARD-BOILED EGGS          61
+    11. COFFEE                    63
+    12. TEA                       76
+    13. OMELET                    77
+    14. WHITE SAUCE               84
+    15. BAKED APPLES              86
+    16. THIMBLE BISCUITS          97
+    17. BAKING POWDER BISCUITS    98
+    18. COCOA                    102
+    19. GINGERBREAD COOKIES      108
+    20. SOFT CUSTARD             111
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+    21. STEAMED RICE             111
+    22. BOILED RICE              112
+    23. POACHED EGGS             114
+    24. RICE PUDDING             117
+    25. BOILED MUTTON            118
+    26. SAUCE FOR BOILED MUTTON  119
+    27. APPLE SNOW               127
+    28. STUFFED EGGS             136
+    29. PICKANINNY FUDGE         141
+    30. WALNUT KISSES            142
+    31. SPONGE CAKE              145
+    32. DREAM CAKE               150
+    33. QUEEN OF HEARTS TARTS    160
+    34. PASTRY                   160
+    35. SALAD DRESSING           166
+    36. CREAMED NEW CABBAGE      167
+    37. BREAD PUDDING            167
+    38. BANANA BREAD PUDDING     168
+    39. HARD SAUCE               168
+    40. PAN-BROILED BEEFSTEAK    169
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Kitchen People]
+
+
+    Tea Kettle
+    Sauce Pan
+    Boiler Pan
+    Big Iron Pot
+    Pie Plate & Tea Pot
+    Coffee Pot
+    Mantel Clock & Blue Pitcher
+    Auntie Rolling Pin
+    Toaster Man
+    Baking Dish & Potato Masher
+    Platter & Ladle
+    Yellow Bowl & Measuring Cup
+    Frying Pan
+    Basket
+    Perforated Skimmer & Can Opener
+    Round & Square Cake Tins
+    Iron Griddle & Little Pitcher
+    Fork Knife & Spoon
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE KITCHEN PEOPLE
+
+
+ALL the Kitchen People were terribly excited.
+
+"I see my finish!" puffed Tea Kettle from his perch on the stove.
+
+"That's slang!" snapped Sauce Pan, who sat near by.
+
+"Slang or no slang," said Tea Kettle, "I'll melt if somebody doesn't
+come fill me soon."
+
+"Where's the cook? Where's the mistress?" asked Boiler Pan.
+
+"Why, the cook's left--left this morning and the mistress's sick. What's
+that I smell burning?"
+
+"That's the potatoes in the oven," said Toaster.
+
+"Oh, my lid!" cried Tea Kettle holding his nose. "Pour on water! Quick!"
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed Coffee Pot.
+
+"Whew!" cried Pie Plate.
+
+"Whew!" clanged Big Iron Pot.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, my lid!"]
+
+"Whew!" mimicked Sauce Pan. "Whew!--That won't help! If you say Whew!
+to an oven door, will it open?--Somebody open the door!"
+
+"Good idea, Saucy!" exclaimed Tea Kettle. "You might try it yourself!"
+
+"Owoooh! O-w-o-o-o-h!" strained little Sauce Pan at the heavy door.
+"O-w-o-o-o-h! I can't-t budge it! Cauch! Cawc! Ochee!" he coughed. "What
+smoke! Somebody else come try!"
+
+"Get out of the way, then," said Big Iron Pot, making heavily toward the
+stove.
+
+"Knew your arms were too short," laughed Tea Kettle, seeing Iron Pot
+couldn't reach the knob.
+
+"Well, they're as long as yours," said Iron Pot angrily.
+
+"Kick it open!" sug-gest-ed Sauce Pan. "Everybody allowed one kick!"
+
+"First go!" exclaimed Iron Pot.
+
+Whack! came a muffled sound. Then, "Oh, my poor feet! Oh! Oh!"
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Sauce Pan.
+
+"Nothing," said Big Iron Pot, hopping around on one little leg, and
+holding the other with his hands. "Only I wish you'd had 'First go!'"
+
+[Illustration: "I wish you'd had 'First go!'"]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Well," declared Tea Kettle, "unless help comes soon, we may as well
+give up all hope of rescue. This is dreadful!"
+
+"Listen, then," ticked Mantel Clock, who didn't mind the smoke. "I know
+a secret: the dear little girl----"
+
+"Oh, yes, we know!" cried the Kitchen People.
+
+"Well!" asked Mantel Clock, "what do you know?"
+
+"The little girl--that there is a little girl----"
+
+"Is that all you know?" demanded Mantel Clock. "Now, when people
+interrupt----"
+
+"Just dying to tell," said Sauce Pan in a loud whisper.
+
+"Please, please, tell us the secret," begged the Kitchen People.
+
+"Well," Mantel Clock ran on, "the dear little girl that lives in our
+house is going to learn to cook. What d'you say if we all turn in and
+help her?"
+
+"Goody-goody!" Aunty Rolling Pin laughed so she nearly rolled off the
+table.
+
+Just then the kitchen door-knob turned, and every one of the Kitchen
+People was as quiet as a
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+TOASTER MAN
+
+
+IN ran the dearest, sweetest little girl.
+
+"Oh, you poor Tea Kettle!" she cried. "You'll boil to death!" and she
+pulled it over to the cooler part of the stove.
+
+Tea Kettle simmered his thanks.
+
+"What can be burning?" she asked. "What can it be?" and she looked all
+over the stove.
+
+"I do believe it's something in the oven!"
+
+As she pulled open the oven door, out rolled the burnt potatoes.
+
+"Now," she said, "now, for the toast," and she caught up her mother's
+apron from a hook, and tied it just under her arms, crossing the strings
+in front.
+
+The Kitchen People held their breath to see what would happen next.
+
+Suddenly she clapped her hands.
+
+"The very thing!" she cried, and ran out of the room. In a minute she
+was back, with a little book in her hands.
+
+[Illustration: In ran the dearest, sweetest little girl.]
+
+[Illustration: Out rolled the burnt potatoes.]
+
+"Mother was asleep," she whispered as though her mother was still in
+danger of being wakened by any sound--"but I just tip-toed up to the
+table, and got the book she's been making for my cooking lessons. This
+must be it--it's Mother's writing:
+
+    'The Mary Frances' First Cook Book.'
+
+I believe--I just believe it tells about toast. Yes, here it is, right
+on the first page:
+
+      NO. 1.--PLAIN TOAST.
+
+      1. Cut stale bread into slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
+
+      2. Remove crusts.
+
+      3. Put into wire toaster.
+
+      4. Hold over a fire, moving to and fro until a golden
+      brown color.
+
+      5. Turn, and brown the other side.
+
+"Let's see if there is any stale bread. I should think so! a whole loaf!
+Now, I'll cut two slices, and since I want it to be very nice, I'll cut
+off the crusts. I guess that will be enough; oh, how I wish somebody was
+here to help me."
+
+"There _is_ somebody--_I'll_ help!"
+
+[Illustration: With a little book in her hands]
+
+[Illustration: "There _is_ somebody--_I'll_ help!"]
+
+Mary Frances looked round in amazement. Seeing no one, "Why,--where?
+Why,--who are _you_?" she asked.
+
+"I'm Tea Kettle, Miss," said Tea Kettle, lifting his lid very politely.
+"I'm gladly at your service, if you please."
+
+"And I!" It was Sauce Pan.
+
+"And I!" cried Boiler Pan.
+
+Mary Frances could scarcely believe her ears.
+
+"My," she said, "can you all talk? and will you help me? Isn't that
+grand!--But how you did s'prise me! Won't we have a lovely time!"
+
+"Look at the fire! Look at the fire!"
+
+"What a tiny voice!" thought the little girl,--but she quickly took the
+lids off the stove. Some very bright coals stared up at her.
+
+"The fire is fine," she said aloud, and she looked all about to find
+where the voice came from, but she saw no one.
+
+"Look down, please!" said the same tiny voice, this time very
+distinctly.
+
+There stood the funniest little wire man, no higher than the little
+girl's elbow.
+
+[Illustration: "And I!"]
+
+[Illustration: "And I!"]
+
+"You didn't see me," laughed the little man, "but I know how to make
+toast."
+
+"Of course!" said the little girl, "you're--why, you're the Toaster!"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the little man, with a bow, "at your service, Miss
+Mary Frances."
+
+"Try me, and see what I can do," went on Toaster Man. "Just put a slice
+of that bread into my head, and hold me over the fire."
+
+Mary Frances leaned over and gravely put a slice of bread in Toaster. He
+looked so funny standing there that she wanted to smile, but thought it
+wouldn't be exactly polite to so helpful a friend. But when he said,
+"Slide up my collar," in a thick, smothery sort of voice, she laughed
+aloud before she could stop, but turned the sound into a cough so
+quickly that Toaster Man looked up at her queerly only a moment; and she
+pulled the ring up until it held the bread tightly in place.
+
+"Now, lift me up over the fire!" he demanded.
+
+Mary Frances hesitated--she couldn't tell where to take hold of him.
+
+[Illustration: "You didn't see me"]
+
+[Illustration: "Slide up my collar."]
+
+"Never mind my legs," he said, as though he read her thoughts, "I'll
+see to them," and he folded them up so close that when Mary Frances
+lifted him up, she could find no sign of them.
+
+"Oh, you'll be burnt!" she cried, as she held what Toaster Man had
+called his head over the bright fire.
+
+"Not I," he laughed, "not I. I like it. It's the toast that'll be burnt,
+if I'm not turned over soon."
+
+Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster carefully over.
+
+"Not too close to the coals at first, Little Miss," said the little
+fellow. "Now,--closer! That's it!"
+
+"How is it?" he asked, as Mary Frances took him from the fire.
+
+"What a beautiful piece of toast!" she cried.
+
+"Grand-if-i-cent!" exclaimed Toaster. "Now, you do the next piece
+without my saying a word--but first spread that with butter, and put it
+in the oven. Now, you read in your book, and see if that's not the way
+to make Buttered Toast."
+
+[Illustration: She opened her book.]
+
+Mary Frances opened her book.
+
+"Read it out!" said the little man.
+
+"When I speak that way, Mother tells me to say 'Please,'" said she.
+
+[Illustration: "Grandificent!" exclaimed Toaster.]
+
+"Beg pardon," said the little man, "Please."
+
+So Mary Frances read:
+
+      NO. 2.--BUTTERED TOAST.
+
+      1. Spread toasted bread evenly with butter.
+
+      2. Pile one slice on top of the other, and cover with
+      a bowl.
+
+      3. Place in oven.
+
+"That's it! that's what I told you," cried the little fellow. "I'm
+always right about toast. Can you make the next slice without a word
+more?"
+
+"I think so," said Mary Frances; and she didn't utter a sound until she
+had taken the second piece out of Toaster.
+
+"What a beautiful piece of toast!" exclaimed Toaster. "It's better than
+the first."
+
+[Illustration: "What a beautiful piece of toast!"]
+
+"Oh, I don't think----" Mary Frances started.
+
+"I know!" snapped the little man. "Don't contradict me about toast! By
+the way," he asked, "why don't you make it into Milk Toast for your
+mother? it would be softer, and more palat--palat--"
+
+"Pal-a-table," said Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: Buttered toast.]
+
+"Yes," said he, "you know a good deal for a little girl,"--and he began
+to choke. Mary Frances patted him hard.
+
+"A piece of toast?" she asked.
+
+"No," he exclaimed in-dig-nant-ly, "a long word always makes me choke.
+That's why I seldom use them. Now, please read about Milk Toast."
+
+"If you know----" sug-gest-ed Mary Frances.
+
+"Well, it's more like real grown-up people to have it out of a book,"
+said the little man. "Go on!"
+
+And Mary Frances read from her little Cook Book.
+
+[Illustration: Cup of milk]
+
+      NO. 3.--MILK TOAST.
+
+    1 tablespoon butter
+    1 tablespoon flour
+    1 cup milk
+    1/4 teaspoon salt
+    3 slices toast
+
+      1. Make ready the toast.
+
+      2. Heat the milk until smoking hot.
+
+      3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
+
+      4. Throw the flour into the butter. Cook until it
+      bubbles a little, stirring all the time. Take from the
+      fire.
+
+      5. Pour 1/3 the milk upon the butter and flour, a
+      little at a time, stirring with the back of a spoon to
+      press out the lumps.
+
+      6. Place over fire, and gradually stir in the
+      remaining milk.
+
+[Illustration: Measuring Cup & Pitcher]
+
+      7. Add the salt. Let boil a minute.
+
+      8. Put slices of toast in a heated dish; pour the
+      sauce over and serve hot.
+
+      All measures are made level with the top of cup or
+      spoon. To measure level spoonful:
+
+      Fill spoon heaping full, and level it off with the
+      back of a knife.
+
+      For half spoonful, cut through lengthwise.
+
+      For quarter spoonful, divide a half spoonful across.
+
+      A saltspoon is 1/8 teaspoon.
+
+"That's right!" said Toaster Man. "That's the way my grandmother made
+it. If I were you, I'd make only half of that sauce for only two slices
+of toast. You did so well with the Plain Toast; you go right ahead with
+the Milk Toast, and see if you can make it all yourself, and if you need
+any help, I'll be on the spot in a twinkle. Follow carefully what your
+little Cook Book says. You know you must measure everything even with
+the top of the spoon, or cup."
+
+[Illustration: "Hurrah!"]
+
+So Mary Frances did exactly what the recipe told her.
+
+[Illustration: To look over the edge of the dish]
+
+As she poured the last of the sauce over the toast, which she had put in
+a pretty dish, the little man, who had been running here and there,
+watching everything she did, shouted, "Hurrah!" At least, he tried to
+shout, but his voice would scarcely reach to a grown-up person's ear.
+"You are the best pupil I ever had!"
+
+"Have you had many?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+"You are the only one," said Toaster. "Why?"
+
+"Nothing," said Mary Frances.
+
+"I should think," said the little man, standing on his toes, to look
+over the edge of the dish, "that that Milk Toast would taste awful
+good!"
+
+"Won't you try it?" asked Mary Frances. She was very much afraid he
+would, but she wanted to show her gratitude for his kindness.
+
+"Oh, no," sighed the little man, "I never eat."
+
+"You never eat!" exclaimed Mary Frances.
+
+"It may seem strange to you," said the little man, "but everything that
+is put into my head falls out backwards, and I simply can't eat."
+
+[Illustration: "Everything falls out backwards"]
+
+"It must be dreadful!" said Mary Frances.
+
+"It keeps me very thin," complained Toaster, "but if I'm not mistaken,
+your mother will eat all that toast,--if she gets it while it's hot."
+
+"Oh, I hope so," said Mary Frances; "and I thank you so very very much."
+
+[Illustration: Followed by the admiring gaze of all.]
+
+"Good-bye!" added the little girl, as she went out of the kitchen,
+followed by the admiring gaze of all the Kitchen People.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "I thank you so very, very much."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+MARY FRANCES' MOTHER
+
+
+MARY FRANCES pushed open the door of her mother's room very softly.
+
+[Illustration: "What has my little girl there?"]
+
+"What has my little girl there?" asked her mother.
+
+"Oh, are you awake, Mother? It's a s'prise for you," and she carried the
+tray over to the bed.
+
+Her mother carefully lifted the lid of the dish.
+
+"Milk Toast! the only thing I could eat! why--who made it?"
+
+"If it hadn't been for Toaster, it couldn't have been made," said Mary
+Frances.
+
+Her mother looked at the little girl in surprise.
+
+"I mean," she added, "that Toaster really did it--he showed me how----"
+
+[Illustration: "It's a s'prise for you."]
+
+"Oh!" laughed her mother, as she lifted a slice of toast out on a
+saucer. "Well, dear, anyway I want you to have some toast with
+Mother"--and she handed the saucer to Mary Frances, who said she would
+much rather watch her mother eat it than to have some herself; but,
+after her first taste, she found how hungry she was.
+
+"It's the best toast I ever ate," said her mother, "and Mary Frances,
+dear, I feel much better already."
+
+She would have said more had not Mary Frances' brother bounded up the
+stairs two steps at a time with,----
+
+"What do you think! I met Father downtown, and he says Aunt Maria's
+coming over to keep house for us. In the daytime, she must be at home;
+but she'll come over to get breakfast for us, and we'll go there for our
+dinners--and Father says Mother is going to the seashore to have a
+'perfect rest' until she's well. Anyhow, I'm glad we won't starve. I
+wish Sis knew how to cook!" and he teasingly pulled one of Mary Frances'
+curls.
+
+"Hush, Brother!" said the mother, "you should have been here to see the
+lovely Milk Toast Sister just brought me. It was the best I ever
+ate--and she made it all herself."
+
+"Almost!" said Mary Frances.
+
+"Oh, yes," said her mother, "the dear little girlie wants Toaster to get
+part of the praise."
+
+[Illustration: "What do you think?"]
+
+[Illustration: "I must warn the Kitchen People."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Ha, ha!" laughed Brother, and Mary Frances, somehow, couldn't explain
+about the Kitchen Folks.
+
+Instead, "When does Aunt Maria come?" she asked. "Does she come
+to-night?"
+
+"She's coming right over," answered her brother.
+
+"Oh, oh!" thought Mary Frances, "I must warn the Kitchen People."
+
+"Brother," she began, nervously, "you stay with Mother--I want to take
+these things down."
+
+But Brother was already sitting quietly near Mother, and Mary Frances
+hurried softly downstairs.
+
+"The poor dears! The poor dears!" she kept whispering all the way down.
+
+[Illustration: "Milk Toast! the only think I could eat! why--who made
+it?"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+MARY FRANCES WARNS THE KITCHEN FOLKS
+
+
+TO the kitchen door she ran, and was about to rush out, when she thought
+she heard voices--thin, little voices they were--so she peeped out, for
+the door was ajar,--and this is what she saw:
+
+Toaster Man, all tired out, was leaning back in a chair, snoring softly;
+but all the other Kitchen People were wide awake. It was Tea Kettle that
+was speaking:
+
+"So, he put the eight feathers in a pan, and cooked them----"
+
+"Who did?" asked Sauce Pan.
+
+"The Jack Rabbit--and then he ate their fringe all off, and gave the
+bones to the cat. Then he bragged--he bragged that he'd eaten eight
+whole chickens at once."
+
+"Is that all?" asked Sauce Pan.
+
+"Yes," said Tea Kettle.
+
+"Humph!" said Sauce Pan. "Was that his recipe for Fried Chicken?"
+
+[Illustration: Then he bragged]
+
+[Illustration: Toaster Man all tired out.]
+
+[Illustration: "A Little Cap and Apron!" cried Mary Frances.]
+
+"My, I'd love to hear more about the Jack Rabbit," thought Mary
+Frances, "but I must warn them about Aunt Maria"; and she hurried out
+into the kitchen.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Listen!" she whispered, with upraised finger. "Listen!--Mother is going
+away, and Aunt Maria's coming over to keep house. Don't ever say a
+word--she'll never understand you, and she'll scrub and scour you till
+you ache, poor things!--she'll do that anyway, but don't talk before
+her. I hurried down to warn you--I was so afraid you might."
+
+"Never fear," spoke up Tea Kettle; "we never, never talk before
+'grown-ups'--we can't help them. I forgot to tell you--if you speak
+about us to anyone, we can never, never speak again."
+
+"Oh," said Mary Frances, "it's a secret! I'm so glad you told me--I came
+so near telling Mother about Toaster Man--I might have, only----"
+
+Then the door-bell rang.
+
+[Illustration: "She'll scrub and scour you till you ache, poor
+things!"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+AUNT MARIA
+
+
+"FOR the land's sakes!" cried Aunt Maria. "For the land's sakes! Where
+in the world has that child been? Look at those hands! Have you been
+playing in the coal?"
+
+"I put coal on the fire," said Mary Frances.
+
+"I guess I'll take a look at that fire, myself," Aunt Maria continued,
+as she started toward the kitchen.
+
+Just then, she caught sight of the tray which Mary Frances had brought
+downstairs.
+
+"Milk Toast," she sniffed. "Who sent that in?"
+
+"I--I made it," Mary Frances began.
+
+There was one tiny piece left. Aunt Maria looked at it hard.
+
+"It's wonderful," she said, "wonderful; who showed you how?"
+
+"Who showed you how?" she demanded, as Mary Frances stood silent.
+
+[Illustration: "Who showed you how?"]
+
+"N-no-body,--at least, no real person. I read about how to make it in my
+cook book."
+
+[Illustration: "N-no-body."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"_Your_ cook book--you mean your _mother's_ cook book."
+
+"No," said Mary Frances, "I mean my cook book Mother's been making for
+me. I'll show it to you," and she ran to get it. "See!--in Mother's
+writing--'Mary Frances' First Cook Book!'"
+
+"Well," said Aunt Maria, "you may turn out of some account, after all.
+It's about time to call for a ref-or-ma-tion."
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, not un-der-stand-ing the big word--"do
+you want me to call for it now?"
+
+"Don't be saucy!" snapped the old lady.
+
+Then she set about washing the little girl's hands and face, rubbing so
+hard that it made the tears come, finishing off with the towel until
+Mary Frances felt her face shine.
+
+"Wonder if she thinks I'm a stove," she thought. "Maybe she'll black me
+some day by mistake! I don't believe she knows how old I am--she treats
+me like a baby, for all the world sometimes, yet she thinks I ought to
+know more. Queer!"
+
+[Illustration: "Wonder if she thinks I'm a stove."]
+
+While Aunt Maria was busy getting dinner, she ran up to her mother's
+room.
+
+"Mother," she asked, "Aunt Maria will be gone home most of the day time,
+while you're away, won't she?"
+
+"Yes, dear," said Mother; "you and Brother are to go to her house to
+lunch."
+
+"Mother, dear," begged Mary Frances, "can't I get lunch for Brother and
+me? I was going to tell you I read--I found the recipe for the Milk
+Toast in my little cook book you've been making for me. I came up and
+found it while you were asleep--I just know I can get our lunches.
+Please, Mother, can't I try?"
+
+"Well, dear," said Mother, smiling, "I really believe you may. I've just
+been thinking about the toast, and what a woman my dear little girl is."
+
+Just then Aunt Maria called:
+
+    "Dinner!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: Washing the little girl's hands and face.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+JACKET-BOILED POTATOES
+
+
+"GOOD-BYE, Billy! Take good care of Sister. Good-bye, little
+Housekeeper!" said Mother, leaning from the car window. The children
+waved "good-bye," and watched the train until it was a speck in the
+distance.
+
+[Illustration: "Good-bye!"]
+
+[Illustration: "Good-bye!" "Good-bye!"]
+
+"I'm off to the mill-race, with the boys, Sister,--catch!" cried Billy,
+tossing Mary Frances the key.
+
+"All right," she called, "be sure to come home to lunch--twelve
+o'clock."
+
+Mary Frances suddenly felt very lonesome.
+
+"But I'll go home to my Kitchen Folks--they'll be good company," she
+thought.
+
+When she let herself into the house, how big and empty it seemed! She
+was almost afraid to go in, but she bravely locked the door behind her.
+
+She thought she heard a noise. Surely the curtain moved! Her heart went
+pit-a-pat! The curtain moved again. Out sprang Jubey, and scampered off
+into the kitchen.
+
+"Oh, you darling kitten!" she cried, running after her. "How you scared
+me, Jubey!"
+
+[Illustration: "How you scared me, Jubey!"]
+
+Everything was as neat as a pin. All the Kitchen Folks were in their
+places, prim, and quiet, and scared, just as Aunt Maria had left them,
+but when they saw her they brightened up, and smiled a welcome.
+
+"How do you do, Kitchen Folks?" she said.
+
+"How do, little Miss?" merrily sang Tea Kettle.
+
+"H-o-w d-o?" ticked Mantel Clock.
+
+"What in the world shall I have for lunch?" mused the little girl. "That
+boy will be as hungry as two bears,--and I don't know many things to
+cook yet. Toast is all right for a sick person, but it isn't much for a
+hungry boy,--and I ought to make something new. Let me see what my
+little book says," and she fetched it out of its hiding place.
+
+[Illustration: As hungry as two bears.]
+
+"Oh, I know! I'll make everything! I do hope I get through the book
+before Mother comes back! Let's see,--here's 'How to Cook Potatoes,' and
+'Eggs'; here are 'Biscuits,' and even how to make 'Tarts' and
+'Cakes,'--and Goody! Candy! Oh, how I'd love to make candy right away,
+but Mother said I must make the things in the order they come in the
+book. So to-day I make
+
+      NO. 4.--JACKET-BOILED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Scrub rather small potatoes well.
+
+      2. Pare a ring around each the long way; drop into
+      cold water.
+
+      3. Drain; cover with boiling water; add 1 tablespoon
+      salt.
+
+      4. Let boil about 35 minutes, or until a fork will
+      easily pierce the largest.
+
+      5. Drain off all the water, and set pan at back of
+      stove to dry off the potatoes.
+
+      6. Serve in their jackets.
+
+[Illustration: Jacket boiled potatoes]
+
+"I wonder how many Billy will eat," she thought, as she brought the
+basket. "I guess about--about--I don't know. He has an e-nor-mous
+appetite. I guess I'll cook a hundred."
+
+"He'll never eat a hundred!"
+
+[Illustration: "He'll never eat a hundred."]
+
+Mary Frances looked around. Boiler Pan was climbing down from the closet
+shelf.
+
+"Hello! How do you know?" asked Mary Frances. "You never saw him eat."
+
+"Hear that! Hear that!" cried Boiler Pan. "As though I hadn't cooked
+potatoes before you were born. Eat a hundred? Why, I can't hold a
+hundred--so there!"
+
+"Ho, ho!" said Mary Frances, "that must be so. How many can you hold?"
+
+"Oh, about thirty, I guess," swelling with pride.
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "you've no notion how many that boy can eat,
+and there isn't much else for lunch. I guess I'll cook about
+twelve,"--and counting them out, she began to wash them.
+
+"Be sure to get all the sand out of their eyes," laughed Boiler Pan.
+"But first, will you help me jump up on the stove, and fill me?--then I
+can boil while you're 'ringing' the potatoes."
+
+This done, he was very quiet, while she finished the potatoes.
+
+Just then the clock struck eleven.
+
+[Illustration: The clock struck eleven.]
+
+"Why, I must hurry," exclaimed Mary Frances.
+
+"I'm ready," bubbled Boiler Pan.
+
+"Oh, yes, I'm coming," and she dropped the potatoes in one by one.
+
+"Now, put on my hat," said Boiler Pan, and Mary Frances put on the lid.
+
+"Are they all right?" asked the little girl.
+
+[Illustration: Swelling with pride.]
+
+"All right!" he answered in a muffled voice.
+
+Mary Frances then went in the dining-room, and busied herself about
+setting the table.
+
+Soon, she heard a "rumpus" in the kitchen. She ran out. Bubbles were
+sputtering over the sides of Boiler Pan, and the lid was dancing a jig.
+
+"What shall I do? What shall I do?" cried Mary Frances, jumping up and
+down.
+
+"This hat's crazy! Take it off, quick!" Boiler Pan besought her.
+
+Without thinking, she seized the lid with her fingers, but dropped it
+with a cry of pain.
+
+"I'm scalded, I'm scalded," she sobbed. "What will I do for it?" and she
+ran for some cold water.
+
+"Don't do that, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin. "Butter it and then
+powder it with baking soda the way your mother does."
+
+[Illustration: "Don't do that child."]
+
+"I'm so sorry," said Boiler Pan, "but I really couldn't get my old hat
+off. I should have told you to take a holder."
+
+[Illustration: "This hat's crazy!"]
+
+"Never mind, it's better now. Those potatoes must be done. Yes," as she
+tried them with a fork, "even the biggest is done in the middle. I'm so
+glad, for I expect that boy any minute."
+
+"So'm I," said Boiler Pan, "for I feel the effect of this
+stren-u-os-i-ty."
+
+Mary Frances pretended not to notice this speech, but carefully drained
+the water from the potatoes, and shook Boiler Pan over the fire to dry
+them off.
+
+"I--I--learned--that--that--wor--word--after
+year--years--of--stud--study," he said between the shakes, "and
+you--nev--never--notic--noticed----"
+
+But Billy was knocking.
+
+So Mary Frances, hastily putting Boiler Pan on the back of the stove,
+ran to let him in.
+
+"Hello, Sister! Here we are! Lunch ready?"
+
+[Illustration: "Hello, Sister."]
+
+"Yes, all ready. I'll put it on. You sit in Father's place, and we'll
+play we're grown up."
+
+"Scrumptious!" exclaimed Billy, as Mary Frances set the smoking dish of
+potatoes on the table.
+
+"What an excellent cook you must have, Madam," he said, after his first
+taste. "Such good potatoes!"
+
+"I have ten," said Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: "Let's give it to Jubey."]
+
+"Ten! You are fortunate, indeed, Madam," said Billy, for all the world
+as though he were a grown-up young gentleman. "How quiet they keep."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes," laughed Mary Frances, "but they're 'most always busy," and she
+held up her ten pink little fingers.
+
+[Illustration: "I have ten," said Mary Frances.]
+
+"Oh, Billy," she added earnestly, "I'm so glad you like them--the
+potatoes, I mean. There is only one left--won't you have that?"
+
+"Oh, let's give that to Jubey--Jubey might be hurt if you didn't let her
+try them. I would,--if I were Jubey."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE POT-AND-KETTLE FIGHT
+
+
+"GOOD morning, Kitchen People," said Mary Frances, after breakfast next
+day, "this is a very important morning with me."
+
+The Kitchen People looked pleased and important, too.
+
+[Illustration: Looked pleased and important.]
+
+"You see, it's this way," she continued as she took her little book and
+sat in the rocking chair. "I am very anxious to get through every recipe
+in my cook book before Mother comes home, so I guess we'll just finish
+all the potato recipes to-day,--and give Billy a Potato Lunch! Won't
+that be fine?"
+
+The Kitchen People all smiled in approval.
+
+She went to the window.
+
+"O--h, Billy! Billy!" she called; "you're invited to a Potato Lunch in
+our dining-room at twelve o'clock."
+
+[Illustration: "O--h, Billy!"]
+
+"All right, I'll be on time," answered Billy from the garden.
+
+"Let's see," said Mary Frances to herself, "four more recipes--about
+two potatoes each. Four times two,--eight."
+
+She washed the potatoes carefully, and had no sooner set about paring
+them, than the kitchen door opened, and in walked Aunt Maria.
+
+"What in the world is that child doing? Paring potatoes? Did I
+ever!--Such thin, close parings, too! How well she does it!--But you
+must drop them into cold water as soon as they are pared, child. I wish
+I could stay and show you how to cook, but duty calls me--I must be
+going!"
+
+[Illustration: "Drop them into cold water."]
+
+Mary Frances stepped to the door with her.
+
+"When I was your age, child, I could cook 'most everything and piece
+patch-work for quilts,"--and she kept Mary Frances on the porch ten
+minutes, telling her that little girls weren't brought up any more to be
+useful the way they were when she was a little girl.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Oh, my lid!" sang Tea Kettle, as Mary Frances stepped back into the
+kitchen. "Oh, my aunt!--has the old lady went?"
+
+"Gone!" said Big Iron Pot from the back of the stove.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, my aunt!"]
+
+"Who dares correct me?" simmered Tea Kettle.
+
+"I dare," sputtered Iron Pot. "I dare,--and I dare tell you other
+things, too!"
+
+[Illustration: "Who dares correct me?" "I dare!"]
+
+"You do, do you?" bubbled Tea Kettle. "You do! Well, what do you dare
+tell me?"
+
+"I dare tell you, Mister," said Iron Pot, "that you've got a dirty
+face--yes, a black face."
+
+Tea Kettle, it was plain to be seen, was boiling mad. Steam blew out of
+his nose in every direction.
+
+Now, everybody who knows anything about a tea kettle can imagine how
+very angry Tea Kettle was.
+
+As soon as he could get his breath, he blew steam all over Iron Pot.
+
+"My face is black, is it? Well, yours is black,--and it will soon be
+black and blue!"
+
+"You swallow them words!" and Iron Pot raised his queer little fists.
+
+"Sput!" mocked Tea Kettle, getting ready to spout again. "Take that!"
+
+Wang! came down the little fist,--but not on the lid of Tea Kettle. Oh,
+no; for just as that was going to happen, Mary Frances lifted him high
+in the air.
+
+"Let go of me! Let me at Iron Pot!" He was at white heat.
+
+"Be quiet!" said Mary Frances, shaking him quite hard. "What's all this
+about?"
+
+"Iron Pot commenced it!" sullenly simmered Tea Kettle. "Iron Pot called
+me names!"
+
+"Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful! Now, you sit there!" She
+put Tea Kettle on the front of the stove.
+
+"And you, there!" She pulled Big Iron Pot as far back as she could.
+
+"Now, behave yourselves!"
+
+Then she sat down to rest.
+
+"What makes them quarrel so, I wonder," Mary Frances said half to
+herself. "All the Kitchen People seem so kind and helpful."
+
+"Why, don't you know, child?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "I thought
+everybody knew that story."
+
+[Illustration: "Don't you know, child?" "Let me at him!"]
+
+A story! Mary Frances was always ready to listen to a story.
+
+"Won't you tell me, please?"
+
+Aunty Rolling Pin cleared her voice, and rolled back an inch or two to
+a more comfortable place on the table.
+
+"You see, it's this way, child," she began.
+
+"In the days of your great-grandmother there were no stoves, only open
+fireplaces were used for cooking,--and kettles were just as black then
+as that old black Pot there.
+
+[Illustration: In the days of your great grandmother]
+
+"So, when the Pot called the Kettle black, the Kettle said:
+
+"'Black yourself!' and no harm was done.
+
+"But when your mother got that fine new cook stove, she bought that
+bright, shiny Kettle, too.
+
+"But that silly old Pot doesn't know that the new Kettle is bright and
+shiny, so it keeps on calling names. That Pot doesn't know it's fooling
+itself,--for all it sees is its own homely old black self in the shiny
+Kettle making faces.
+
+"And that's what comes of calling names, child," chuckled Aunty Rolling
+Pin, as she ended her story.
+
+Then Mr. Tea Kettle puffed steam importantly, and clapped his little
+lid.
+
+Nothing more was said in the kitchen for several seconds.
+
+[Illustration: Kettles were just as black.]
+
+"Thank you!" at length said Mary Frances gratefully to Aunty Rolling
+Pin.
+
+Then she added, very firmly and gently to Iron Pot and Tea Kettle:
+
+"I want you to promise me never to call names again, either one of you,
+for it makes me feel so sad.
+
+"Do you promise?" she asked.
+
+"I promise," brightly answered Tea Kettle.
+
+"I pro-promise," solemnly declared Big Iron Pot.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful!"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A POTATO LUNCH
+
+
+"I'M so relieved," said Mary Frances with a sigh.
+
+"Now, I can hurry along the Potato Lunch."
+
+"Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock, "it's quarter past eleven. You have only
+three-quarters of an hour."
+
+[Illustration: "Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock]
+
+"That's so!" said Mary Frances. "The next recipe is:
+
+      NO. 5.--BAKED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Choose potatoes of the same size--rather large.
+
+      2. Scrub well, and wipe.
+
+      3. Bake in a hot oven from 30 to 45 minutes, or until
+      soft when pressed between thumb and fingers.
+
+      4. Roll each between the fingers: this makes them
+      mealy.
+
+      5. Serve on a napkin.
+
+"Why, I won't need to pare those! I'll put two of these I've washed in
+the oven. The oven's grand and hot!
+
+"Let me see,--will all the others need paring?
+
+[Illustration: "I won't need to pare those."]
+
+"Yes," she laughed, "I didn't notice the heading of the chapter
+before----
+
+"'Potatoes Without Jackets,'"
+
+      NO. 6.--BOILED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Wash potatoes.
+
+      2. Pare, throwing into cold water.
+
+      3. Drain; cover with boiling water, allowing 1
+      tablespoon salt to every twelve potatoes.
+
+      4. Let boil 1/2 hour, or until the largest is soft
+      when pierced with a fork.
+
+      5. Drain off all the water.
+
+      6. Shake over fire, or place on back of stove to dry
+      off the potatoes.
+
+      NO. 7.--MASHED POTATOES.
+
+      1. Boil potatoes. Drain; dry off.
+
+      2. Mash in pan in which they were cooked.
+
+      3. For every cupful, add
+
+    1 dash pepper,
+    1 saltspoon salt,
+    1/2 tablespoon butter (scant).
+
+      4. For every cupful, heat 2 tablespoons milk.
+
+      5. Throw the heated milk on potatoes.
+
+      6. Beat with a wire fork until creamy.
+
+      7. Pile lightly on a hot dish. Serve uncovered.
+
+[Illustration: Potatoes without jackets]
+
+[Illustration: Measuring Spoons]
+
+[Illustration: Billy's Potato Luncheon.]
+
+      NOTE.--Remember that all measurements are level or
+      even with the top. To divide a spoonful, cut it
+      through the middle lengthwise, for a half; and across
+      that, for one-quarter of a spoonful.
+
+      NO. 8.--POTATO SOUP.
+
+      Place on the table:
+
+    3 freshly boiled potatoes
+    1 onion
+    butter
+    parsley
+    flour dredger
+    pepper
+    salt
+    1 pint milk (2 cups)
+
+      1. Put the milk in the upper part of a double boiler,
+      half filling the under part with boiling water.
+
+      2. Throw in 2 slices of onion, and put double boiler
+      on the stove for 10 minutes.
+
+      3. Mash potatoes and add to the hot milk.
+
+      4. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper.
+
+      5. Put through a wire strainer, rubbing the potatoes
+      through with a spoon.
+
+      6. Put into double boiler and place on stove.
+
+      7. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a little pan.
+
+      8. Throw into it 1/2 tablespoon flour. Stir well.
+
+      9. Dip a little of the hot milk on this, stirring
+      well, then pour into the soup.
+
+      10. Let boil 10 minutes.
+
+      11. Add 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. If too thick,
+      add hot water or milk.
+
+      12. Serve very hot.
+
+[Illustration: Two cups of milk]
+
+[Illustration: To divide a spoonful]
+
+"Oh, I know how to cook boiled potatoes! They're just like
+jacket-boiled, only they have their jackets off," she cried.
+
+"Why, certainly," exclaimed Boiler Pan, which she had put on the stove
+half full of water, "I know my part--I just hurry them right along in a
+jiffy."
+
+[Illustration: "I just hurry them along"]
+
+He looked so interested that Mary Frances laughed as she dropped the
+potatoes in.
+
+"Are they all to be boi--boiled?" stuttered the bubbling Boiler Pan.
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances, "all except those I put in the oven. Listen!
+I'll tell you the menu for Billy's Potato Lunch. We'll begin, of course,
+with soup--Potato Soup."
+
+"'Puree' is the word for thick soups," suggested Boiler Pan. "It seems
+more stylish, don't you think?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" said Mary Frances. "I do believe I'll write a card for
+each of us to have at our places at the table!" and she quickly brought
+her school pad from her desk.
+
+[Illustration: She brought her school pad.]
+
+Then she wrote:
+
+    MENU
+
+    Billy's Potato Lunch
+
+    Puree of Potato
+    Potatoes-in-the-Shell
+    Cold Meat      Mashed Potatoes
+    Sliced Bananas with Cream
+    Milk
+
+"That 'Potato-in-the-Shell' sounds 'swell,'" said Coffee Pot, "but it
+seems to me you ought to have something to drink, like coffee, or
+something of that kind."
+
+"Oh, that's true," Mary Frances replied, "but I don't know how to make
+coffee, and Mother said I must make everything in the order it came in
+my book----"
+
+"Won't you look to see if my turn doesn't come soon?" interrupted Coffee
+Pot.
+
+[Illustration: "See if my turn doesn't come soon?"]
+
+"Not to-day," Mary Frances shook her head. "To-day we have milk.
+
+[Illustration: "To-day we have milk."]
+
+"Why, to-morrow!" as she looked in her book. "Isn't that fine!
+But--those potatoes must be done. I should think so! A minute more, and
+they'd have been burned!" she said as she drained off the water.
+
+"Now, ready for the masher!"
+
+"Quite ready," said a little voice, and Mary Frances was not surprised
+to see Potato Masher tumble over the edge of Boiler Pan as she put him
+on the table.
+
+[Illustration: "Quite ready."]
+
+"Push my head down hard!" said he in a thick, mushy voice, and Mary
+Frances did as he directed.
+
+Suddenly Potato Masher stopped work.
+
+"How will you know how much potato to put into the soup?" he asked.
+
+"Why," said Mary Frances, "there were only six boiled ones altogether,
+so the three for the soup will be just half."
+
+"Pretty good, pretty good for a little girl just learning to cook,"
+Potato Masher said, and ducked his head into the potatoes again.
+
+When they were finished Mary Frances said:
+
+[Illustration: "Push my head down hard"]
+
+"You know so much about potatoes, perhaps you can sit right up on that
+box," pointing to the sugar box, "and tell me when I make a mistake. I'm
+going to do 'xactly as my book says--you cry out, 'Stop!' when I do
+anything the wrong way."
+
+"It--will--be--the--day--of--my--life--ever--to--be--remembered--"
+
+Potato Masher ran his words together clumsily--"But I should be very
+much obliged to you if you would first wash my face."
+
+[Illustration: "First wash my face."]
+
+"Why, certainly," said Mary Frances. "I didn't like to suggest it."
+
+"Thank you kindly, Miss. 'Tis a pleasure to serve you," said the little
+fellow, as he perched himself on the sugar box, when Mary Frances
+brought him back to the table.
+
+"All ready?" asked the little girl.
+
+"Class proceed!" said Potato Masher, with a school teacher air.
+
+Only twice did he interrupt her as she followed every direction given in
+the recipes: once, to remind her of the potatoes in the oven; and again,
+to tell her to pour the soup very slowly, lest she burn herself.
+
+[Illustration: "Class proceed"]
+
+"It's mag-nif-i-cent!--this Potato Lunch," said he, as Mary Frances
+carried the last smoking dish to the dining table. "'Tis a proud day
+for the 'Assistant Chef'--meaning myself."
+
+He made a pompous little bow toward the Kitchen Folks.
+
+"I little thought she'd be on time. I was afraid I'd have to strike
+before she was ready," declared Mantel Clock, beginning to strike twelve
+just as Billy came in.
+
+"Menus!" exclaimed the boy.
+
+[Illustration: "Menus!" exclaimed the boy.]
+
+"Jimminy! 'Billy's Potato Lunch,'" he read. "Oh, I say--if I'd known I'd
+have dressed for the occasion!"
+
+"Don't make fun, Billy," begged Mary Frances.
+
+"'Make fun,'" cried Billy. "Just taste that soup--and see if anyone
+could make fun. It's fit for the President."
+
+"Oh--Billy!" Mary Frances laughed.
+
+"Maybe you think I don't mean it," said Billy, helping himself to mashed
+potatoes. "Why didn't you invite some company?"
+
+"I didn't know that Potato Masher--I mean, I didn't know it would turn
+out so well," blushed Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: "I little thought she'd be on time."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Invite somebody--can't I bring Bob and Eleanor over some day soon to
+lunch?"
+
+"Yes,'" said Mary Frances, "if Aunt Maria----"
+
+"Oh, by the way," said Billy "I 'most forgot! Aunt Maria had word her
+brother is sick at Upland, and she went to see him this morning, and
+can't possibly be back in time for breakfast. I guessed we'd make out O.
+K. I told her--I was thinking of our lunches, you know."
+
+"Billy--really?" asked Mary Frances, "but I'm sorry for Aunt Maria's
+brother."
+
+[Illustration: "Thank you kindly, Miss."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+MARY FRANCES GETS BREAKFAST
+
+
+MARY FRANCES was a long time getting to sleep that night for thinking
+about breakfast.
+
+She had her little cook book, and Mother's last letter under her pillow.
+
+"Billy writes your lunches are 'scrumptious,'" ran her mother's letter.
+"I cannot tell how much comfort my little girl is to me."
+
+[Illustration: Mother's last letter.]
+
+"I've 'most a mind to tell Mother about the cook book," thought Mary
+Frances, "but won't she open her eyes when I tell her I've made
+everything--if I can keep the secret! I do hope I wake up in time.
+Father said he'd call me to breakfast, when he said "Good-night," but I
+want to slip down, and have everything ready when he comes."
+
+So she fell asleep, and dreamed she made an Angel Cake as big as a
+mountain, and that Jubey stole it, and fed all the hungry cats in the
+World.
+
+[Illustration: Jubey fed all the hungry cats in the world.]
+
+She had fixed the curtain so that the first sunlight would fall on her
+face, and it seemed only a breath of time until she felt it call her.
+
+How sleepy she was!
+
+"I'll get down before the Kitchen Folks are awake," she whispered.
+
+She carried her little shoes in her hand and stole softly downstairs,
+stopping in the dining-room to put them on.
+
+"Nonsense, you!" she recognized the voice of Tea Kettle.
+
+"Just wait till I read it out of my little book," mimicked a new voice.
+
+"For shame, you saucy Pan!" exclaimed Big Iron Pot.
+
+"Just wait until I read it!"
+
+Mary Frances peeped into the kitchen. In the middle of the floor stood
+little Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book:
+
+"'How to Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut.'"
+
+"Silly!" exclaimed Potato Masher.
+
+Sauce Pan repeated:
+
+"To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut:
+
+"1. Fill eight potatoes with Sauer-kraut, and peel them.
+
+[Illustration: To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut.]
+
+[Illustration: "For shame, you saucy Pan!"]
+
+"2. Make a crust of the left-overs.
+
+"3. Bake the parings well, and serve very hot on ice."
+
+Just then Mary Frances sneezed.
+
+How Sauce Pan ran, and jumped up to his place on the rack!
+
+He looked so shamefaced when Mary Frances went in, that she hadn't the
+heart to scold him.
+
+Instead, "Boiled Eggs," she called.
+
+He pretended to be asleep. Then she took him by the arm and shook him.
+
+"Boiled Eggs!" she shouted. "Doesn't that mean you?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," he said meekly; "I'm such a 'sleepy-head!' Do you know,"
+con-fi-den-ti-al-ly, "I often talk in my sleep." At this the Kitchen
+People grinned.
+
+[Illustration: He pretended to be asleep.]
+
+"Ahem!" said Mary Frances, "It's a dangerous habit. Sometimes people
+tell stories when they're awake, too," she added as she stepped out to
+get the milk.
+
+"Is 'Old Puff-away' ready?" asked Sauce Pan of Coffee Pot.
+
+[Illustration: "I can scarcely wait till I'm needed"]
+
+"If you mean Tea Kettle, Saucy," answered Coffee Pot excitedly, "I hope
+so, for I can scarcely wait till I'm needed."
+
+Tea Kettle gave two extra puffs of steam, but otherwise took no notice.
+
+"How do you know you'll be used?" Sauce Pan asked of Coffee Pot, nudging
+Pie Plate who was near him.
+
+"I come next in the book--and, besides, I'm always used for breakfast."
+Coffee Pot was beginning to get angry.
+
+"Bet we have eggs,--eggs, and toast, and--_tea_! Yes, I bet it's _tea_
+for B. this morning."
+
+Sauce Pan kept on saying, "Tea for B." so long that Coffee Pot began to
+cry:
+
+    "Eggs and toast and tea,
+     That doesn't mean me.
+     Coffee is better--
+     Though not wetter--
+     For breakfast
+     Than tea, tea, tea."
+
+[Illustration: Coffee Pot began to cry]
+
+"Tee-hee--Tee-hee--Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan, pointing to Coffee Pot
+tan-ta-liz-ing-ly, who began to cry in earnest.
+
+[Illustration: "Tee-hee--Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan.]
+
+"Why, what's the matter with Coffee Pot?" Mary Frances asked when she
+came in. "Is it possible Aunt Maria forgot to dry you last night?"
+
+Nobody said anything--and Sauce Pan hastily ran toward the stove.
+
+"Wait," called Mary Frances, "wait a minute until I can look in my
+book----"
+
+"Oh, I can say it without any book--we all know our own tricks," boasted
+Sauce Pan.
+
+"All right," said Mary Frances, "say it--that will save time."
+
+So he began.
+
+"B'iled eggs--excuse me!--boiled eggs," he corrected, seeing Mary
+Frances' stern face.
+
+      NO. 9.--BOILED EGGS.
+
+      1. Put eggs in sauce pan.
+
+      2. Cover with boiling Water.
+
+      3. Place where the water will keep hot 6 to 10
+      minutes. A quicker method is to boil eggs very gently
+      3 or 4 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: Boiled eggs.]
+
+[Illustration: "That's what Nora said"]
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Mary Frances, "I thought you dropped the eggs into
+boiling water for three minutes or more, 'accordin'--that's what Nora
+said. I asked her what 'accordin' meant, and she said 'accordin' to the
+tastes of them that eats them--soft or hard."
+
+"I was speaking of the best way," declared Sauce Pan glancing loftily at
+Mary Frances. "There is no end of ways to do it, but this is the
+scientific way to cook eggs so that they will be soft, but cooked all
+the way through and easily digested--not liquid inside a hard, white
+coat. In other Words--Ahem! the al-bu-men (white of egg) cooks much
+better at a lower than a higher temperature."
+
+[Illustration: Glancing loftily at Mary Frances]
+
+"Whew!" whistled Coffee Pot.
+
+"I wonder how it is in my book." Mary Frances turned to the page.
+"Exactly as you said!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Of course!" declared Sauce Pan.
+
+"Bet he peeped into the book," whispered Coffee Pot to Toaster.
+
+[Illustration: "Bet he peeped into the book."]
+
+Sauce Pan continued: It is somewhat the same way with
+
+      NO. 10.--HARD-BOILED EGGS.
+
+      1. Put eggs in sauce pan.
+
+      2. Cover them with boiling water.
+
+      3. Place on fire where the water will boil but _very_
+      gently 20 minutes.
+
+"Thinks he knows it all," grumbled Coffee Pot; "he'll be like the frog;
+he'll burst with pride if he keeps this up."
+
+"Well, well, well!" said Mary Frances, "I certainly am surprised at what
+you know."
+
+    "A Sauce Pan is a funny thing,
+       Needed by every lassie,--
+     Although it may be full of sauce
+       It may not yet be sassy,"
+
+sang the little fellow, dancing on the stove.
+
+[Illustration: "A Sauce Pan is a funny thing."]
+
+"Old Puff-away," he began.
+
+"That will do!" said Mary Frances, and proceeded to pour out the hot
+water. "Tea Kettle is my right-hand man. Don't you dare say another word
+until I speak to you"--as she put in the eggs, and drew him to the back
+of the stove.
+
+"And now, I'll make the coffee."
+
+At her side stood Coffee Pot.
+
+"Are you ready?" he asked.
+
+"Quite ready," she said.
+
+"Is it really my turn?" he asked again.
+
+"Yes," smiled Mary Frances, "it is!"
+
+[Illustration: "He'll be like the frog."]
+
+Then he began to recite ex-cit-ed-ly:
+
+      NO. 11.--COFFEE.
+
+      1. Put into coffee pot 1 rounded tablespoon ground
+      coffee for each cup needed.
+
+      2. Pour on boiling water, allowing 1 cup to every
+      tablespoon coffee used.
+
+      3. Let come to a boil three times, stirring down each
+      time.
+
+      4. Draw off the fire. Pour in 1 tablespoon cold water
+      for each cup.
+
+      5. Let stand in a warm place 3 minutes to settle
+      grounds. Serve.
+
+      If not used immediately, strain into another warmed
+      pot.
+
+"You might pour out the first cupful to clear the nose--I mean,
+spout--then pour it back again."
+
+He stopped for breath.
+
+"Thank you, Coffee Pot," smiled Mary Frances, in praise, "how interested
+and wide awake you are!"
+
+"I never sleep much," confided Coffee Pot. "I believe it's the
+coffee--just 'cat naps,' you know. I sometimes think my heart is
+affected--I'm so easily stirred up,--although I always feel well."
+
+[Illustration: "I think my heart is affected"]
+
+"If you always feel well," laughed Mary Frances, "I guess your heart is
+all right."
+
+"Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan, "he's awfully good-hearted."
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan.]
+
+"Didn't I tell you,--'not another word' until I spoke to you?" said Mary
+Frances to Sauce Pan, as she lifted Coffee Pot to the table, and
+measured out the coffee and water.
+
+After she had followed his directions entirely, she made the toast.
+
+Toaster Man was so sleepy, he didn't say a word except, "You'll do it
+right, I know," and fell asleep again.
+
+Just then, Mary Frances heard her father call.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP
+
+
+"MARY FRANCES, dear, you can get up now," her father was saying.
+
+"Why, where is my little girl?"
+
+She knew he was looking in her bedroom.
+
+"All right, Father," she called; "I'm up and dressed--and
+downstairs--and, Father, wait a minute; breakfast is almost ready. I'll
+call you in a minute."
+
+She ran to put some oranges on the table.
+
+[Illustration: She ran to put some oranges on the table]
+
+"You can come now, you and Brother," she then called. "You sit right
+down and eat your oranges, as I bring in the other things."
+
+"All right, dear," said her father; "but first I want my good-morning
+kiss."
+
+"A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances, throwing her arms around
+him as he lifted her up.
+
+"You stole a march on your old father this morning, all right," laughed
+her father. "Breakfast, indeed! Why, I never was so surprised in my
+life."
+
+[Illustration: "Why I never was so surprised in my life"]
+
+"Oh, Brother," said Mary Frances, kissing Billy; "you and Father sit
+down, and I'll bring in the coffee."
+
+She flew into the kitchen.
+
+Such a place! So thick with smoke and steam that all the Kitchen People
+were coughing.
+
+"Oh, dear! dear!" cried Mary Frances, the tears coming fast.
+"Everything's burnt up! Why, didn't you call me, Sillies? To sit here
+and let the toast burn up!"
+
+[Illustration: "Why didn't you call me, Sillies?"]
+
+"I--I _did_ call you," cried Coffee Pot, sputtering more coffee over on
+the stove, "but I couldn't make you hear."
+
+[Illustration: "I--I _did_ call you."]
+
+"Why didn't you call?" asked Mary Frances of Sauce Pan with a sob.
+
+"You told me not to speak until you spoke to me----"
+
+"I was asleep," interrupted Toaster.
+
+"Who are you talking to, Mary Frances?" asked her father. "Aren't you
+nearly ready?"
+
+"Sh--sh!" Warned Mary Frances, with uplifted finger--then aloud:
+
+"Oh, Father, I'm so disappointed! I had everything ready so nice and
+hot, and now everything's burnt up! Oh, de--ar, oh, oh, oh, de--ar!"
+
+"Never mind, Honey," said her father, kissing away her tears. "Never
+mind! There's no hurry this morning, I'll fix the fire and you do it all
+over again."
+
+"But I've wasted all the eggs--they're as hard as bricks--they cooked
+twenty minutes. I forgot them."
+
+"They'll be fine in our salad to-night," said Brother; "I love
+hard-boiled eggs that way."
+
+[Illustration: "They'll be fine in our salad."]
+
+"Brother, you run out in the garden," said her father, "Sister is going
+to have our breakfast ready in a very few minutes."
+
+"I'll do that," cried Billy, "and I'll have a fine appetite."
+
+When they went into the kitchen Mary Frances saw Sauce Pan whisper
+something to Coffee Pot, but her father didn't notice. He quickly fixed
+the fire.
+
+"Now, Father," begged Mary Frances, "please let me do it and I'll have
+everything on the table in no time."
+
+"Ho-ho! little Miss Housekeeper doesn't need any help. Very well!"
+
+[Illustration: Sauce Pan whispered something to Coffee Pot.]
+
+[Illustration: "It keeps me so sad."]
+
+"I did need help with the fire, Father," said Mary Frances; "it was a
+great help, but----"
+
+"All right, Girlie," said Father, "I'll read my paper; you call us when
+you're ready."
+
+In a very few minutes she did call them, and a fine breakfast it was,
+too; for Mary Frances knew _how_ so well that not a minute was wasted.
+
+"Ain't she the loveliest cook," whispered Coffee Pot to Sauce Pan, as
+Mary Frances disappeared through the dining room door with the eggs.
+
+"Loveliest ever!" said Sauce Pan. "I really was afraid to call her for
+fear her father would hear. I'm so sorry----"
+
+"Yes," nodded Toaster Man, "I can't seem to get it off my mind. It keeps
+me so sad--won't you tell us a story?"
+
+"I can't get it off my mind, either," said Sauce Pan, with a sob, "but
+I'll do my best. Here goes:
+
+    "Our little Miss sat down and cried,
+       And called her Sauce Pan to her,
+     'I feel so berry bad inside,
+       I wish you'd (h)eat some sugar.'"
+
+[Illustration: "I can't get it off my mind, either."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh, silly!" interrupted Toaster Man, "don't make fun,--besides, you
+know that's not true."
+
+"Well," replied Sauce Pan, "I thought you wanted a story!"
+
+"Pooh!" puffed Tea Kettle, "What a poor pun! I should think you'd all be
+tired out. Let's take a nap."
+
+"I just want to say I love our little Miss just the same," said Sauce
+Pan.
+
+"And I!"
+
+"And I!" cried all the Kitchen People.
+
+[Illustration: "A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA
+
+
+"OH, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah," yawned Tea Kettle next morning,
+stretching his funny little arms. "Oh, I say," he shouted, "Wake up!
+We've overslept. Wake up, everybody! Where's our little mistress, I
+wonder?"
+
+"Nice memory,--yours!" drawled Sauce Pan. "Don't you remember they all
+went over to Aunt Maria Hush's for dinner Saturday night, and for
+Sunday?"
+
+[Illustration: "I'd like to know why not"]
+
+"Aunt Maria Hush!" roared Tea Kettle. "That's not her name!"
+
+"I'd like to know why not," said Sauce Pan. "Every time I go to say
+anything when she's here, somebody says, 'Keep still--that's Aunt
+Maria,--Hush!"
+
+"Ho, ho, ho, hee-hee-hee!" laughed all the Kitchen People.
+
+"That meant, 'Be still,' Goosie," Tea Kettle explained.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah."]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When Aunt Maria and Mary Frances came into the kitchen later, the old
+lady was talking.
+
+"Very creditable, child," she said, looking at the shelves, all in
+order, "very creditable indeed. I can't understand it--with no one to
+show you how to----"
+
+"I have my little book," said Mary Frances.
+
+"_Book!_" sniffed Aunt Maria, putting the breakfast cereal on to cook.
+"_Book!_ A _book_ can't tell you exactly when a piece of toast is brown
+enough, or a potato just done enough to be mealy, nor how to keep a pan
+from burning. Book! It's talent! That's what it is! Blood will tell. You
+inherited it from me. I never burnt pans--never in my life--there's no
+excuse for it."
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, thinking of the ruined breakfast.
+
+"Go up, and open the beds to air," commanded Aunt Maria.
+
+When Mary Frances got back, she could scarcely see across the kitchen
+for smoke.
+
+"Fire!" screamed Aunt Maria, making for Boiler Pan on the stove.
+
+[Illustration: "Fire!" screamed Aunt Maria.]
+
+[Illustration: "BOOK!" SNIFFED AUNT MARIA, "BOOK!--IT'S TALENT!"]
+
+"I thought the house was on fire," she panted, snatching it up.
+"Oh,--oh, I wish I had my smelling salts! The porridge is all burnt up!
+What a disgrace!"
+
+Mary Frances felt very sorry for her, but when she saw Sauce Pan and
+Coffee Pot holding their queer little fists over their mouths to keep
+from laughing out, and when she remembered how funny the old lady looked
+making across the kitchen in two steps, she ran back into the dining
+room to laugh.
+
+[Illustration: She ran into the dining room to laugh]
+
+"I must stop," she'd say to herself--and the more she'd say it, the more
+she'd laugh. "This is dreadful, Mary Frances," she'd scold herself;
+"but, oh, my, wasn't it funny!"--and away she'd go again.
+
+At length she Went back upstairs until Aunt Maria called,
+
+    "Breakfast!"
+
+Even at the table she couldn't look at Aunt Maria without laughing.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Brother.
+
+"Oh, don't ask me!" Mary Frances begged, hiding her face.
+
+She didn't dare go into the kitchen until after her aunt had gone, for
+fear of disgracing herself laughing.
+
+[Illustration: To keep from laughing out.]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When she did go out to look up her next lesson in her little book,
+Boiler Pan walked dolefully up to her, holding out a piece of
+sand-paper.
+
+He looked so funny with a big black spot on one eye!
+
+Bowing, he began to recite:
+
+    "Of course, you never burn your pans,
+       Of course, no more do I;
+     But, should such sad things happen,
+       A piece of this just try."
+
+"I will!" exclaimed Mary Frances; and in less than a twinkle had rubbed
+all the burnt spots off.
+
+"My,--that's better; thank you," brightly beamed Boiler Pan.
+
+Mary Frances sat down on the rocking chair, and opened her book.
+
+"Tea! Omelet!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that nice!"
+
+Just then came a knock at the kitchen door.
+
+[Illustration: "I thought the house was on fire!" she panted.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE TRAMP
+
+
+MARY FRANCES peeped out of the open window. A tramp!
+
+"Oh, dear,--shall I open the door?" thought the frightened little girl.
+
+"Please, Miss,"--the oldest, hungriest-looking tramp she ever saw looked
+down at her, taking off his worn out cap. "Please, Miss--a cup o'
+tea--anything? I am that tired and faint."
+
+He caught hold the railing.
+
+"Tea!--my next lesson!" thought Mary Frances.
+
+"That's easy and quick! and Tea Kettle is just beginning to boil. How
+awfully cold and hungry the poor man looks!"
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances peeped out of the window]
+
+"Wait a minute," she called.
+
+"I almost know how to make tea,--but I'd better look at the recipe.
+Where'd I put my book? Oh, here it is,--open to the place," she spoke
+softly.
+
+[Illustration: "Please, Miss--a cup o' tea--anything?"]
+
+Then she read the directions for making
+
+      NO. 12.--TEA.
+
+      1. Half fill the teapot with boiling water. Let stand
+      until thoroughly hot. Pour out.
+
+      2. Put into it 1 teaspoon tea for each cup needed.
+
+      3. Pour in freshly boiling water, allowing 1 cup to
+      every teaspoon tea.
+
+      4. Let stand for 5 minutes in a very warm place, but
+      do not let it boil. Stir, and serve.
+
+      If not used immediately, strain into another heated
+      pot.
+
+Very soon she had filled the largest cup she could find in the closet,
+and handed it to the tramp.
+
+"That's the bonniest cup o' tea I've drank for mony a year, Miss," said
+he. "It tastes like the auld country, shure."
+
+[Illustration: Half fill the teapot with boiling water.]
+
+"Like the old country!" thought Mary Frances. "That's the funniest way
+for anything to taste I ever heard of. Maybe he's so hungry he's a
+little bit out of his head. Oh, I know what I'll do! I'll make an omelet
+for him! I don't believe he's eaten omelet since--maybe, since he was as
+little as I am--maybe a hundred years. He looks a hundred years old, I'm
+sure. I hope I have eggs to make one--oh, yes, I know there are enough.
+Where's the recipe? Oh, here it is!"
+
+[Illustration: The largest cup she could find.]
+
+      NO. 13.--OMELET.
+
+      Two eggs to each person.
+
+      1. Separate yolks and whites, putting them into
+      different bowls.
+
+      2. Add dash of salt to whites, and dash of salt and
+      white pepper to yolks.
+
+      3. Add cold water to whites, allowing 1 teaspoon to
+      each.
+
+      4. Add cold water to yolks, allowing 1 tablespoon to
+      each.
+
+      5. Beat both very light.
+
+      6. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a smooth frying pan.
+
+      7. Pour in yolks. Let cook a moment.
+
+      8. Spread whites over yolks, making a little hole in
+      the center for steam to escape.
+
+      9. Cook slowly for 5 minutes, or until the puffed up
+      whites look dry.
+
+      10. Fold one half over the other.
+
+      11. Turn out on a warm platter.
+
+      12. Trim with parsley and serve at once.
+
+[Illustration: Separate yolks and whites.]
+
+"That's not so easy," thought the little girl, "but I guess I can manage
+it--he'll not be very par-tic-u-lar."
+
+But she had very little trouble; for she read what her mother had
+written; and followed each direction exactly, all the way through the
+recipe.
+
+[Illustration: The omelet.]
+
+[Illustration: "Blessin's on ye, Little Miss," said the tramp.]
+
+"Blessin's on ye, Miss," said the tramp, as Mary Frances carried the
+smoking dish out on the porch to him with a slice of bread and butter.
+"You've got a kind heart, you 'ave, to be shure. Ain't that--whatever it
+is--a beauty!"
+
+"It is real pretty," said Mary Frances, feeling quite proud. "I just
+made it for you. I'm learning to cook. My mother's away--and I'm here
+all alone just now except for Jubey and the Kitchen F---- (she caught
+herself just in time). Jubey is the kitten, you know. My lessons just
+came to Omelet, and--why, what's the matter with it?" she cried,
+dismayed. "It's all fallen flat! I wonder if I got it done. It gets
+flatter and flatter."
+
+The tears sprang to her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she said.
+
+[Illustration: "Why, what's the matter with it?"]
+
+"Oh, never mind, Miss," said the tramp; "I ain't been chooser for mony a
+day--and this 'ere homelet, or whatever it is, will be all right, all
+right,"--and he hungrily began to eat.
+
+"It seems to be made out o' nothin'--and yet it is powerful good," said
+he between bites, as it fast disappeared, much to Mary Frances' delight.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, never mind, Miss."]
+
+"It's made out of beaten eggs," said she. "First, you take the eggs and
+break the shells, and put the yolks in one bowl and the----"
+
+"Why, Miss, I know what made it flounder."
+
+"Flounder? Flounder? 'Flat as a flounder,'" thought Mary Frances--"he
+means flatten."
+
+"What?" she asked eagerly.
+
+"Why, the breeze! The cool air plays the----"
+
+    "Mary Frances!"
+                "Mary Frances!"
+                            "Mary Frances!"
+
+[Illustration: "Be gone!"]
+
+Her father came into the kitchen.
+
+"Who's there? Why, my dear little girl, what are you doing?"
+
+"I'm--I've got company," Mary Frances stammered, not liking to say
+tramp. "That is--I--oh, Father, this gentleman was so hungry--and I----"
+
+"Go into the house--and I shall see you."
+
+"Be gone!" thundered her father to the tramp, pointing to the gate.
+
+"Begging pardon, sir," said the tramp, touching his cap, "but may I say
+one word?"
+
+"Make it short."
+
+[Illustration: "May I say one word?"]
+
+"I'd do anything for the young lady--not let a 'air o' 'er 'ead be 'urt.
+Please don't be too 'ard on 'er."
+
+"You may go," said Mary Frances' father. "Are you hungry yet?"
+
+"Oh, no, sir,--thank you, sir," said the tramp. "Thanks to 'er."
+
+"Bless 'er little 'eart," her father heard him murmuring, as he went out
+the gate.
+
+"Bless her dear, loving little heart!" echoed her father.
+
+"The poor dear 'lamb' should not have been left alone! I thought Billy
+was here. But she must have her lesson!"
+
+Going into the kitchen, he took Mary Frances on his knee.
+
+"Dear," he began gravely, "suppose the old tramp had not had kind
+thoughts. Suppose, when my little girl opened the door, he had hurt her,
+and had taken mother's nice things, or had stolen our dear little
+daughter----"
+
+[Illustration: "Are you hungry yet?"]
+
+[Illustration: "Dear," he began gravely.]
+
+"But, Father," said Mary Frances, "he was a lovely gentleman! I feel
+quite sure he was going to tell me a beautiful story about when he was
+little--maybe a hundred years ago----"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Mary Frances, listen, child! Never, when you are alone, unlock the door
+to any man or woman you do not know. Understand?"
+
+"Yes, Father," said Mary Frances; "I didn't mean to be bad."
+
+"No, dear; but it would be very naughty indeed for you to do so again.
+Do you promise?"
+
+"Yes, Father, said Mary Frances, hiding her face" on his shoulder. "I'll
+never, never do it again, dear Father."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Humph!" grumbled Aunty Rolling Pin, after they had gone into the
+library, "I'd have warned her--only I was afraid the tramp gentleman
+might hear!"
+
+"So would we all of us," cried the rest of the Kitchen People.
+
+[Illustration: "It tastes like the auld country, shure."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+COMPANY TO LUNCH
+
+
+MARY FRANCES listened at the kitchen door before going in next morning.
+She wanted to find out what the Kitchen People might be doing.
+
+"It isn't exactly eavesdropping," she thought, "although it seems
+awfully near to it."
+
+"Can't you find it?" somebody was asking.
+
+"Seems to be having trouble," said Tea Pot. "Of course, he can't very
+well find out--being so short and fat, and having no nose to speak of."
+
+"Well, Nosey," answered Coffee Pot, "suppose you try--your nose is long
+enough to poke into anything!"
+
+"So much the better for me this time, Pug Nose."
+
+"Oh, say, stop calling names, and find out--if you can," cried Big Iron
+Pot.
+
+"I'll bet it's my turn again!" interrupted Sauce Pan. "Now, see if I'm
+not right."
+
+"He's peeped already," declared Coffee Pot.
+
+"'Deed, I haven't," very earnestly.
+
+[Illustration: "Pug Nose." "Well, Nosey."]
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, say, stop calling names."]
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, yes, here it is."]
+
+"Oh, say, Tea Pot, if you're any good, get to work! See if he's right.
+Can you do it?"
+
+"Yes," replied Tea Pot rather breathlessly. (It seemed to Mary Frances
+as if he were lifting a heavy weight.) "Yes, here is the place. Somebody
+else read; I'm too tired."
+
+"I'll read," said Sauce Pan. "What was the last? Oh, yes, here it is,
+just as I said!"
+
+"Oh, go 'way! Don't let him read," said Coffee Pot; "he'll make it up."
+
+"Read yourself, then, Pug Nose!"
+
+Then Coffee Pot's voice:
+
+"I declare! He's right! It is his turn again. Listen!
+
+      NO. 14.--WHITE SAUCE.
+
+    2 tablespoons butter
+    2 tablespoons flour
+    1 cup hot milk
+    1/4 teaspoon salt
+    dash of pepper
+
+      1. Melt butter in a sauce pan.
+
+      2. Mix pepper and salt with flour.
+
+      3. Throw into the butter, stirring thoroughly. Cook
+      until it bubbles a little.
+
+      4. Pour 1/3 of the milk very slowly on this, stirring
+      and beating well.
+
+      5. Place over fire and stir in the rest of the milk a
+      little at a time.
+
+      6. Let boil a minute.
+
+[Illustration: "I declare! He's right!"]
+
+"Pug Nose----"
+
+"Stop calling names," said Iron Pot.
+
+("Good!" thought Mary Frances.)
+
+"Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire," said Sauce Pan, mockingly. (Mary
+Frances could easily imagine him bowing.) "Allow me to call your
+attention to the un-im-peach-able ver-ac-i-ty of myself."
+
+"Crazier and crazier!" commented Coffee Pot, sadly. "Did you say
+anything?"
+
+"Sir," said Sauce Pan, "to put it into kindergarten words, I remarked,
+Sauce Pan, meaning myself, has rightly been likened to George
+Washington----"
+
+[Illustration: "Likened to George Washington"]
+
+"Aw--!" puffed Tea Kettle, "what I'm more interested in is the book.
+What do they use White Sauce for?"
+
+"There's a foot-note," Tea Pot ventured.
+
+"Read it!" commanded Tea Kettle.
+
+"'White Sauce is very good to pour over cooked vegetables, like----'"
+
+"Wait a minute," interrupted Tea Kettle, "perhaps Sauce Pan can tell
+us."
+
+[Illustration: "Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire"]
+
+"New boiled potatoes, green cabbage, etc; also nice to use for warming
+over cooked meats, like cold chicken and canned salmon. Both make a
+nice luncheon dish."
+
+("Fine!" thought Mary Frances. "There's a can of salmon in the pantry.")
+
+"Is that right?" asked Tea Kettle.
+
+"Right," said Tea Pot. "Next is
+
+      NO. 15.--BAKED APPLES.
+
+      1. Wipe large apples.
+
+      2. Take out cores with apple corer or sharp knife.
+
+      3. Place in earthen or enamel dish.
+
+      4. Fill center of each apple with sugar.
+
+      5. Pour water into dish, allowing 2 tablespoons to
+      each apple.
+
+      6. Bake in a hot oven one half hour, or until soft.
+
+[Illustration: Take out cores.]
+
+"A joyful surprise!" a deep voice seemed to come from the closet.
+
+"Who's that?" asked Tea Kettle. "Oh, it's Baking Dish!--you startled
+me!"
+
+"Although I'm not paid proper respect for my years----" went on the deep
+voice.
+
+"How old are you, now, anyway?" asked Tea Kettle.
+
+[Illustration: "A joyful surprise!"]
+
+    "I've been told I'm very old--
+       My grandsire was a Tory--
+     Often bought and often sold,
+       But that's another story."
+
+"What an honor!" snickered Sauce Pan.
+
+"How rude!" said Coffee Pot.
+
+"No, child," came the deep voice of Baking Dish, "only modern--without
+reverence for the old and----"
+
+"One--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight--nine--ten--eleven!"
+struck in Mantel Clock, very loudly.
+
+"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Mary Frances to herself, "it's time to
+commence lunch. I do thank Mantel Clock for reminding me.
+
+[Illustration: Struck in Mantel Clock very Loudly.]
+
+"Let me see," said she, going into the kitchen as if she had just come
+downstairs, although she felt very guilty. "I must find to-day's
+lesson."
+
+She read quietly for some time, pretending not to notice that she found
+the book open with the spout of Tea Pot lying against one of the pages.
+
+[Illustration: Lying against one of the pages.]
+
+"I can make White Sauce in a jiffy, and I'll heat some canned salmon in
+it," she exclaimed, picking up Sauce Pan quite carelessly. "He needs a
+lesson, and I don't need his help," she thought. "I'll treat him quite
+in-dif-fer-ent-ly."
+
+"The salmon ought to have been opened an hour or two ago," said a sharp
+little voice.
+
+Mary Frances looked around to see who her new helper could be, but could
+discover no one.
+
+"How do you know?" she asked, more to find out who was speaking than to
+gain information.
+
+"Who'd know better?" came the little voice, so sharp it was little more
+than a squeak. "I'm Can Opener!"
+
+[Illustration: "Who'd know better?"]
+
+"Oh, so you are!" cried Mary Frances, spying him. "I'm glad to see you.
+Now, why open the salmon an hour ago?"
+
+"All canned goods ought to be opened an hour or two before needed, and
+turned out," explained Can Opener, "to get well aired."
+
+"Thank you," said Mary Frances, "I'll open the salmon right away--then
+see to the apples--then the White Sauce."
+
+[Illustration: The apples]
+
+She had only just finished the White Sauce, when the door-bell rang. She
+stopped to take the Baked Apples out of the oven, before answering. It
+was Billy with Robert and Eleanor who lived down the street.
+
+"Hello, Sister," said Billy, "I told you I'd bring company home to lunch
+some day. Anything ready?"
+
+"By good luck, Billy, yes," said Mary Frances, kissing Eleanor, and
+taking her coat and hat, while Billy did the same for Robert.
+
+"I know now why Mother likes Father to telephone when he's bringing home
+company to dinner," laughed Mary Frances.
+
+"Oh, don't you worry, folks," said Billy, "everything'll be all right."
+
+"That's the highest compliment a boy can pay, Mary Frances, you know,"
+said Eleanor.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish I could cook," she sighed, when Mary Frances dished the dessert
+of Baked Apples, and the three praised everything on the table.
+
+"I wish you could, Sis," exclaimed Robert.
+
+"Maybe some day I'll teach you some of the things I can make," said Mary
+Frances.
+
+"Oh, Mary Frances, will you?" cried Eleanor.
+
+"If your mother says so," nodded Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: It was Billy with Robert]
+
+[Illustration: and Eleanor.]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I know she will," declared Eleanor. "She hates to cook, but she'll let
+me learn. She never goes into the kitchen if she can help it. And no
+wonder. Our kitchen is an awful place to go into, Maggie is so cross.
+She wouldn't let me try."
+
+"Pity the poor Kitchen People," thought Mary Frances.
+
+"Oh, we'll have fun!" she said aloud.
+
+"When will you want me to come?" Eleanor asked.
+
+"Some time, when I get near the end of my book, I'll let you know."
+
+"Won't that be lovely! I'll bring my own bowl and spoon."
+
+[Illustration: "I'll read," said Sauce Pan. "What was the last?"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A PATENT DISH-WASHING
+
+
+"OH, my!" sighed Mary Frances, gazing at the great pile of dirty dishes
+on the kitchen table, where she had carried them after the company had
+gone. "Oh, my, cooking is fun--but washing dishes is another thing. I'm
+'most tired enough to drop,--and there must be a hundred dishes to do!
+I'm glad Tea Kettle is full of hot water."
+
+"Bubble! Bubble! Piff! Piff!" puffed Tea Kettle, mys-ter-i-ous-ly
+smiling as though he knew something was about to happen.
+
+Mary Frances couldn't see anything very pleasing with so much of a task
+before her.
+
+She put the large dish pan on the table and poured in the water,
+whirling the soap around in it several times to make it a little sudsy.
+
+Then she sat down to rest.
+
+"Really, I didn't know I was so tired," she thought; "maybe my age is
+telling on me the way Aunt Maria says!"
+
+[Illustration: "Bubble! Bubble! Piff! Piff!"]
+
+Her weary little head began to nod, and she was soon fast asleep. She
+hadn't been asleep long before she was aroused by a great racket.
+
+"Click, clack! Click-ety-clack! Splash!"
+
+"Come," she said to herself, rather sharply, "I do believe you've been
+asleep, Mary Frances! You'd better get to work, child."
+
+"Click! Clack!"
+
+Again came the sound.
+
+With her sleepy lids half open she glanced toward the table, and such a
+sight she never saw! She sat up with mouth and eyes wide open, but
+nobody paid any attention to her.
+
+There were the dishes jumping higgledy-piggledy, pell-mell into the dish
+pan.
+
+First a cup, followed by a saucer, then a spoon, followed by a fork.
+
+"Make room for me," cried Platter, diving in head first.
+
+"Look out, or you'll chip me," cried Tea Cup, tumbling out on the other
+side of the pan.
+
+"I'm next!" a big dinner plate splashed in "kerplunk."
+
+[Illustration: "Click, clack! Click-ety-clack! Splash!"]
+
+Mary Frances couldn't say a word--she was so afraid they might break
+their heads.
+
+"Ouw! this is hot!" screamed Little Pitcher.
+
+All the other Kitchen People were looking on and laughing. Aunty Rolling
+Pin was rocking to and fro, laughing so hard the tears were rolling down
+her cheeks.
+
+When Yellow Bowl bounced into the water, "Chase yourself!" cried Soup
+Ladle, making hard after.
+
+In less time than it takes to tell, the dishes were all clean, and had
+piled themselves up neatly on the table.
+
+Then Mary Frances realized what had happened.
+
+"That was a patent dish-washing," she said. "I don't want you to do that
+often. I was afraid my mother's china would be broken all to pieces! But
+I am very much obliged, this time, I'm sure."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: There were the dishes jumping higgledy-piggledy,
+pell-mell into the dish pan.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THIMBLE BISCUITS
+
+
+MARY FRANCES carried all her dolls to the window seat in her room, and
+placed them in a row. Then she held up an envelope.
+
+"Misses Angelina, Marie, Cosette, Lady Gay, Peg, Master Alfonso, why,
+listen! Here's a letter come for you. What can it be? Pay very strict
+'tention while I read it. If you'd gone to school every day I've been so
+busy, perhaps you could read it yourselves; but, of course, when my
+hands are so full, I can't possibly get you off, and you are so
+helpless. Aren't you 'shamed? I think--yes, I think you all look ashamed
+except Peg. If you don't look ashamed in one minute, Peg,--just one
+minute I'll give you,--you sha'n't hear this! There, that will do! You
+needn't cry, dear child! Now, I'll read."
+
+Mary Frances cut open the envelope.
+
+Every doll looked deeply interested except poor Peg who had fallen on
+her side. "Why, it's an invitation to a Dolls' Party! Listen!"
+
+[Illustration: "It's an invitation to a Dolls' Party."]
+
+[Illustration: Poor Peg, who had fallen on her side.]
+
+[Illustration:
+
+    My dear Dollies:
+
+             May I have the pleasure
+    of your company at a
+          Doll's Kitchen Party
+    this afternoon at three o'clock?
+
+                    Your loving
+                (Mistress) Mary Frances.
+
+    P.S. Anyone coming late will be fined
+    a pink riblon. In case she has'nt
+    a pink riblon her hair will be
+    pulled.
+
+                      M. F.]
+
+[Illustration: "Of course you'll wear your dress suit."]
+
+"Now, dears," Mary Frances smiled upon them, "no wonder you look
+surprised; for that's a grand invitation, all written out on real paper.
+I had an awful time getting it to sound right. I'm not sure that it is
+just exactly correct yet. So we'll get dressed right away. Now don't all
+ask at once what you'll wear. Yes, Fonsey, of course you'll wear your
+dress suit. What of it if it isn't proper to wear it until after six
+o'clock? You have only your work clothes and that suit and you'll have
+to wear your best."
+
+Everybody was quiet and good as gold while Mary Frances finished
+dressing them.
+
+"There," she said to herself, "the last sash is tied. Goodness, I'm
+tired--tired-er than if I'd been cooking the whole morning! Aren't dolls
+stupid compared with Kitchen Folks? I do wonder what the Kitchen Folks
+will do. Will they talk before them?"
+
+[Illustration: Looking very anxious and excited.]
+
+"Now, you dolls, be good, and take a nap," she warned, "so that you
+won't be sleepy at the party. I must go and get ready."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As she tied on her apron in the kitchen, she noticed Aunty Rolling Pin
+looked very anxious and excited. She couldn't seem to keep still, but
+kept rolling to and fro, watching Mary Frances' every motion.
+
+"Well, Aunty Rolling Pin?" said Mary Frances.
+
+"Did you, or did you not, please," asked Aunty Rolling Pin, "mention
+'Biscuits' this morning?"
+
+"I guess I did," replied Mary Frances, "when I glanced at my book. Here,
+I'll read it out:
+
+[Illustration: 1/2 cup milk]
+
+      NO. 16.--THIMBLE BISCUITS.
+
+      (Nice for Dolls' Tea Party.)
+
+    1 cup flour
+    2 teaspoons baking powder
+    1 tablespoon butter
+    1/2 cup milk (scant)
+    1/4 teaspoon salt
+
+      1. A hot oven and a greased pan.
+
+      2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt three times.
+
+      3. Rub butter lightly into the flour.
+
+      4. Pour the milk on gradually, mixing all the while
+      with a knife, until a soft dough is formed.
+
+      (Perhaps not all the milk will be needed.)
+
+      5. Turn the dough on a well-floured board.
+
+      6. Pat it with the rolling pin until 1/4 inch thick.
+
+      7. Use a large thimble as a cutter, and cut biscuits
+      as close to each other as possible.
+
+      8. Place in pan a little distance apart.
+
+      9. Bake about 5 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: "Did you mention 'Biscuits' this morning?"]
+
+      NO. 17.--BAKING POWDER BISCUITS.
+
+      1. Make exactly the same as Thimble Biscuits (No. 16),
+      only pat the dough out about three-quarters of an inch
+      thick. Prick with a fork.
+
+      2. Cut with a biscuit cutter, and place in pan, a
+      little distance apart.
+
+      3. Bake in a quick oven from 12 to 14 minutes.
+
+"Ever make any biscuits, child?"
+
+"No, Aunty Rolling Pin, but I believe I can with your help, if you'll be
+so kind."
+
+"'Deed I will, child." Aunty Rolling Pin gave a delighted chuckle. "I've
+been waiting patiently for the chance."
+
+[Illustration: "'Deed I will, child."]
+
+"I'm going to give a Dolls' Kitchen Party, Aunty."
+
+"Ah, I'm glad you told me, child; that makes everything more important
+than ever. So, as you gather together the things you'll need, you can
+listen--ahem!--to Aunty Rolling Pin's Wisdom."
+
+"You know about 'most everything!" said Mary Frances. "I'd be much
+obliged to you for any other hints during the rest of my lessons."
+
+"I'll be glad to help, child," said Aunty.
+
+[Illustration: Baking Powder Biscuits.]
+
+"Mother expected to explain everything to me, you see----"
+
+"Yes, yes, child," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin, seeing Mary Frances looked
+sad; "but I see you have sifted the flour and baking powder and salt
+into a bowl and poured it back. Instead of using a bowl, it's a good
+idea to use a piece of heavy paper. When this is folded funnel-like, the
+flour can readily be poured into the sifter again and again."
+
+"That certainly is easier," said Mary Frances, putting the hint to
+practice.
+
+[Illustration: "Poured into the sifter again and again"]
+
+"In order to get the baking powder into every bit of the flour, they
+should be sifted together three times. Now, I see you are working the
+butter into the flour. Rub lightly with your finger tips. That's
+it--pour the milk gradually, mix well--the dough should be almost
+sticky, but not too soft to handle. Now it's my turn," she chuckled, as
+Mary Frances turned the dough on a well-floured board. "But if you are
+going to make Thimble Biscuits, one half of the dough is enough to pat
+out for them----"
+
+"And I can make the rest into real biscuits! What a splendid idea!" said
+Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: Turned the dough on a well-floured board.]
+
+"Wonder if the handles are her ears," she thought, softly patting the
+dough with Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+As she bent over, she caught the sound of singing, and this is the song
+Aunty Rolling Pin sang:
+
+    "Roly-poly, roly-poly,
+       To and fro,
+     Roly-poly, roly poly,
+       O'er the dough.
+     Round as an apple,
+       Straight as a rule;
+     Guess who I am
+       Or I'll send you to ----
+
+[Illustration: As she bent over she caught the sound of singing.]
+
+"Where?" she asked suddenly stopping.
+
+Mary Frances jumped. She had been rolling Aunty Rolling Pin to and fro,
+unconsciously keeping time with her song.
+
+"Where?" she again demanded, her mouth full of flour.
+
+"Dear me," answered Mary Frances, "I don't know."
+
+"School, of course," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin; "I thought you'd surely
+know."
+
+[Illustration: "Roly-poly, roly-poly, to and fro."]
+
+"Oh, yes, of course," laughed Mary Frances; "Cooking School."
+
+"Certainly, child," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin. "To what other school
+could you go to learn about me?"
+
+"That's beautiful poetry," said Mary Frances.
+
+"I think so," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin; "I made it up myself. It's so
+_floury_, you know," blowing the white dust in the air.
+
+[Illustration: "Tee-hee," giggled Mary Frances.]
+
+"Tee-hee," giggled Mary Frances.
+
+Aunty Rolling Pin looked offended.
+
+"Excuse me," said Mary Frances, "you mean 'flowery.'"
+
+"I mean what I say," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "isn't that what I said?"
+
+As it certainly was what she said, and Mary Frances didn't like to
+explain, she hastily turned to her work.
+
+It didn't take long to cut the biscuits, as she had often helped her
+mother in baking. She knew how to dip the cutter each time into flour,
+that the dough might not stick. She used the large thimble she had
+brought down from the sewing room in the same way as she had used the
+biscuit cutter.
+
+[Illustration: "It didn't take long to cut the biscuits."]
+
+"Aren't they too sweet!" she cried delightedly, as she laid the tiny
+biscuits side by side, but not touching, in the little baking pan. With
+the rest of the dough, she had made three larger ones. "One for each of
+the family," she said, slipping them with the Thimble Biscuits into the
+oven.
+
+"Let me see what's next. Oh, yes, the cocoa. I do declare, it's little
+Sauce Pan's turn again. No wonder he's puffed up," she thought.
+"Strange, he hasn't said a word. I'm 'most sure I have to use Sauce Pan.
+Perhaps he doesn't understand. I'll read aloud:
+
+      NO. 18.--COCOA.
+
+      For each cup:
+
+    1 tablespoon cocoa
+    1 tablespoon sugar
+    1/2 cup boiling water
+    1/2 cup milk
+
+      1. Heat milk.
+
+      2. Mix cocoa and sugar.
+
+      3. Pour boiling water on them gradually, making a
+      smooth paste.
+
+      4. Add the milk, and cook a half minute.
+
+      5. Beat with an egg beater.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, yes, the cocoa."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Silence.
+
+[Illustration: "Don't bother me."]
+
+"Sauce Pan!" one of the Kitchen People near him whispered loudly,
+"Sauce Pan! Why don't you speak?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Don't bother me. I'm asleep," muttered Sauce Pan drowsily, "sound
+asleep!"
+
+Mary Frances gasped.
+
+"What 'n awful story!" exclaimed the one who had first spoken.
+
+"You're not very polite to question my word to my very face," Sauce Pan
+retorted angrily. "Now, if someone else had told you, that would have
+been different; then you'd had some excuse."
+
+"Come," thought Mary Frances, "that's too silly! I'll put an end to
+this. I don't need any help with this simple recipe."
+
+Seizing Sauce Pan quite carelessly, she quickly made the cocoa.
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances carried all her dolls to the window seat in
+her room.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE DOLLS' KITCHEN PARTY
+
+
+"NOW, everything is ready," she said, glancing carefully at the table
+she had set with her little dishes; "I'll go up and bring the dolls.
+Wait a minute, Mary Frances," she added after a moment's pause. "Let's
+see if everything is ready. There's
+
+    Thimble Biscuits
+    Jam           Cocoa
+
+"Better look in the oven!"
+
+[Illustration: "Better look in the oven!"]
+
+"Oh, my, I'm glad you 'thought me,' Aunty Rolling Pin," cried Mary
+Frances, opening the oven door.
+
+"Oh, dear me! Most of the Thimble Biscuits are burnt up and the big ones
+are just done, I guess!"
+
+"The thicker things are, the 'slower' the oven, child. The thinner, the
+hotter the oven----"
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, dear me!"]
+
+"Aunty Rolling Pin," cried Mary Frances, not realizing she had
+interrupted, "there are enough Thimble Biscuits not burnt to go 'round.
+Isn't that good? And the dolls can't make themselves sick with them."
+
+"It's not much of a waste," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin, "and (seeming to
+be seriously thinking) the dolls can't make themselves sick on
+them--eating too many, I suppose."
+
+[Illustration: "You see it's like this"]
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "you see, it's like this:
+
+    "When I my dolls invite to tea,
+     It is a pretty sight to see
+     The things one seldom gets to eat
+     All on the table spread, so sweet;
+     But to my dollies I explain,
+     Don't eat too much--you'll have a pain.
+
+    "Then, just to save them such a trial,
+     I let them sit and look a while
+     At cakes, and tarts, and candies, too.
+     Then eat them up myself--wouldn't you?
+     For thus they're saved from being ill,
+     And I, likewise, a doctor's bill.
+     But--just between you, dear, and me--
+     They couldn't eat at all, you see."
+
+[Illustration: "Dolls can't make themselves sick."]
+
+[Illustration: THE DOLL'S KITCHEN PARTY]
+
+And away ran Mary Frances to bring the dolls.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"It was a lovely Tea Party, wasn't it, Angie?" sighed Mary Frances,
+putting her family to bed after it was all over.
+
+[Illustration: After it was all over.]
+
+"And you did 'behave a credit' to your mother. I feel sure now you will
+remember all I've taught you. Not one of you would eat soup from the
+point of a spoon, nor spread a whole slice of bread at once, nor leave
+your spoon in your cup, which is a great comfort to a mother. Only Peg,
+you poor child, you should not have spilled that cocoa down your best
+dress. But 'Children will be children,' I 'spose--and you're very dear
+children."
+
+("I wouldn't have them, for the world, jealous of the Kitchen
+People--and I've neglected them shamefully of late.")
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I'm not much taken with those things called 'dolls,' Aunty Rolling
+Pin," said Sauce Pan, seating himself on the edge of the top
+closet-shelf, and crossing one leg over his knee. "They're not much
+use."
+
+[Illustration: "They're not much use."]
+
+"Ah," sighed Aunty Rolling Pin, looking wise, "a doll's a doll, for all
+that."
+
+[Illustration: "A doll's no good boiled!"]
+
+"Of course," said Sauce Pan, "but a doll's no good boiled!"
+
+"Well, no," admitted Aunty Rolling Pin, "the best, of course, are
+_baked_ of
+
+      NO. 19.--GINGERBREAD COOKIES.
+
+    1/2 cup molasses
+    2 tablespoons butter
+    2 tablespoons lard flour
+    1/2 tablespoon ginger
+    1/2 teaspoon salt
+    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
+    1 tablespoon warm water
+
+      1. Warm the molasses.
+
+      2. Put the butter and lard in a bowl. Pour over them
+      the molasses.
+
+      3. Dissolve soda in the warm water. Add to the
+      molasses.
+
+      4. Sift ginger, salt and 1/2 cup flour together.
+
+      5. Sift into the molasses, beating well. If necessary,
+      add more flour to make a soft dough.
+
+      6. Grease a shallow pan.
+
+      7. Roll the dough out 1/3 inch thick.
+
+      8. Cut out with a little round cutter, dipping it into
+      flour each time.
+
+      Place cookies some distance apart on the pan. Bake
+      about 10 minutes.
+
+      NOTE.--Instead of rolling out, little spoonfuls may be
+      dropped far apart on the pan and flattened with the
+      bottom of a round tin cup.
+
+[Illustration: "The best, of course, are _baked_."]
+
+"Then you----
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh, Aunty Rolling Pin, nobody's doing a lesson. Besides, after it's
+baked it's done!" cried Sauce Pan impatiently.
+
+"So'm I!" smiled Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+[Illustration: "It was a lovely Tea Party, wasn't it Angie?"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE SICK NEIGHBOR
+
+
+"MARY ANN HOOPER is very ailing," said Aunt Maria at the lunch table.
+She had invited the children over to lunch that day. "She needs
+nourishment more than anything else, I should say. That cook she has
+can't make a decent thing. No wonder she's weak!"
+
+[Illustration: "Mary Ann Hooper is very ailing."]
+
+"If only," thought Mary Frances, "if only I could cook something for
+her! Wait until I look in my book. I wonder if she could eat to-day's
+lesson."
+
+She laughed aloud--that seemed so funny.
+
+"Well," snapped Aunt Maria, "of all things; to laugh at a poor sick
+neighbor in such a pre-dic-a-ment."
+
+Mary Frances blushed, but she didn't say anything.
+
+After lunch, she started home as soon as possible.
+
+Once in the house, she ran to the kitchen for her book.
+
+"Of all things! As Aunt Maria would say," she cried, "it comes next!"
+
+[Illustration: "Of all things!"]
+
+      NO. 20.--SOFT CUSTARD.
+
+    1 cup milk
+    1 egg
+    2 tablespoons sugar
+    dash of salt
+    nutmeg
+
+      1. Heat the milk smoking hot.
+
+      2. Beat egg. Add sugar and salt.
+
+      3. Pour the hot milk on, beating well.
+
+      4. Pour into upper part of double boiler, or set pan
+      in boiling water.
+
+      5. Cook until it thickens, or until a coating will be
+      formed on a clean spoon when dipped into the custard.
+
+      6. Sprinkle with a few gratings of nutmeg.
+
+      7. Serve cold.
+
+[Illustration: Soft Custard]
+
+"How perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Mary Frances; "I'll make soft custard
+for Mary Ann Hooper. But that isn't very much. Oh, isn't this too good?
+I can serve it on the next recipe. It's
+
+      NO. 21.--STEAMED RICE.
+
+    1/2 cup rice
+    2 cups boiling water
+    1/2 teaspoon salt
+
+      1. Wash rice. This may be easily done by putting in a
+      strainer and shaking in a pan of cold water.
+
+      2. Put with the salt and boiling water, into the upper
+      part of a double boiler.
+
+      3. Pour boiling water into lower part, and cook 1
+      hour.
+
+[Illustration: Steamed rice]
+
+      4. To test whether it is done, press several grains
+      between the fingers. If not perfectly soft, cook
+      longer.
+
+      5. If it becomes hard and dry, add a little boiling
+      water from time to time.
+
+      6. A few raisins are sometimes cooked with the rice.
+      Add these during the last fifteen minutes of cooking
+      to prevent discoloring.
+
+      7. Serve with soft custard or cream and sugar. Plain
+      cooked rice may be served as a vegetable.
+
+[Illustration: Drain through a colander.]
+
+      NO. 22.--BOILED RICE.
+
+      Use a plain boiler and a large quantity of salted
+      boiling water.
+
+    1/2 cup rice
+    5 cups boiling water
+    1/2 teaspoon salt
+
+      1. Wash rice by putting it in a strainer and shaking
+      in a pan of water.
+
+      2. Drop a few grains at a time into boiling water,
+      stirring well to prevent sticking.
+
+      3. Boil rapidly 25 minutes, or until soft when pressed
+      between the fingers.
+
+      4. Drain through a colander. Pour over it 2 cups
+      boiling water.
+
+      5. Set in a warm place to dry off, until ready to
+      serve.
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances, putting the rice on to boil, "I'll make both.
+Oh, won't Mary Ann Hooper be pleased!"
+
+[Illustration: Use a plain boiler.]
+
+"Who's that?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "A new kind of cooking pan?"
+
+"No, no, Aunty Rolling Pin," laughed Mary Frances; "she's an old lady
+who is sick. Aunt Maria told me about her at lunch. She's such a funny
+old lady."
+
+"It isn't funny to be ill," said Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+"No," answered Mary Frances, seriously, "but I meant she does such funny
+things: Last summer, she told Elvin Phelps if he didn't keep his bees
+from stealing honey out of her flowers, she'd shoot them--she (oh,
+dear!)--wanted--him--to tie each one--by his hind leg--to
+keep--them--home--oh, dear," laughed Mary Frances.
+
+"What did he do?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, anxiously.
+
+"He told her (excuse my laughing--but it's so funny!) he would
+rather--put a 'No Trespassing' sign up in her garden for them to read!
+Ho-ho! Tee-hee." Mary Frances shook with laughter.
+
+Silence in the kitchen until Mary Frances felt a tug at her tug at her
+dress.
+
+Looking down, she spied Toaster Man.
+
+[Illustration: "A sign for them to read"]
+
+[Illustration: She spied Toaster Man.]
+
+"Yes, you may speak," she smiled.
+
+"Thank you,--I don't like to suggest, but a Dropped Egg on Toast
+would----"
+
+"Be grand!" finished Mary Frances. "I'm sure I saw that recipe; yes,
+this is it!"
+
+      NO. 23.--POACHED EGGS.
+
+      1. Put a pint (2 cups) boiling water into a shallow
+      pan. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
+
+      2. Break egg in a saucer.
+
+      3. Whirl the water 'round and 'round with a spoon, and
+      draw pan back on stove where it will simmer, but not
+      boil hard.
+
+      4. Slip the egg into the whirling water.
+
+      5. Cook until the white is coated over the top.
+
+      6. Serve on toast.
+
+      NOTE.--It is best to cook only one egg at a time.
+
+[Illustration: "Ready!"]
+
+"Ready!" hummed Tea Kettle.
+
+"Ready!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, and Mary Frances poured the hot water.
+
+"Ready!" cried Toaster Man, and Mary Frances made the toast.
+
+"Oh!" cried the little girl suddenly, her fingers crushing through the
+eggshell, "what a shame!"
+
+[Illustration: "Ready!" "Ready!"]
+
+"A sharp rap with a knife and a quick pull with the thumbs," somebody
+said.
+
+"Thank you," smiled Mary Frances, too busy to discover who was her
+helper.
+
+Very soon she had lifted the poached egg with Per-for-at-ed Skimmer on
+the piece of toast.
+
+When she had arranged the tray, she brought it out for the Kitchen
+People to see.
+
+She had used her mother's daintiest china plates, and had scattered
+violets here and there over the cloth.
+
+"Beau-ti-ful!" they exclaimed in one voice, as though that was all that
+could be said; but this is what Mary Frances heard as she closed the
+door:
+
+"Wish I could eat," sighed Toaster Man.
+
+"I know Jube'll want some of that," he added after a moment. "That cat
+can eat any time of day! I envy her appetite."
+
+"Humph!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, "Jube won't get any of that. This time
+Jube'll get
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: A GREAT BIG ROUND PIECE O' NOTHING!]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A MAN'S LUNCH
+
+
+"MOTHER writes that she is so glad you are giving Billy such good
+lunches," said Father, looking up from his letter. "I've been waiting a
+long time for an invitation to lunch, little daughter. Do you know, I'll
+be quite jealous of Billy if my turn doesn't come soon!"
+
+"Oh, Father," Mary Frances begged, "won't you come to-morrow? I didn't
+think you could get away from the store,--and I don't know so very much
+to cook."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Mary Frances, I'll be most happy to lunch with you
+to-morrow," said Father, in a real so-ci-e-ty tone.
+
+[Illustration: "Thank you, Miss Mary Frances."]
+
+When Mary Frances went into the kitchen next morning, she said:
+
+"I guess I'll make the dessert first; rice pudding is good cold."
+
+[Illustration: "It is ex-cel-lent cold."]
+
+"It is ex-cel-lent cold," spoke the deep voice of Baking Dish,
+"es-pec-i-ally if made by
+
+      NO. 24.--RICE PUDDING.
+
+    3 tablespoons rice
+    1/4 cup sugar
+    1/8 teaspoon salt
+    sprinkling nutmeg
+    4 cups milk, or 3 cups milk and 1 cup water
+
+      1. Pick over the rice, and wash by putting in a
+      strainer and shaking in a pan of water.
+
+      2. Butter the baking dish.
+
+      3. Stir rice, sugar and salt into the milk.
+
+      4. Pour into the baking dish.
+
+      5. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
+
+      6. Cover with a lid, and bake slowly 2 hours.
+
+      7. Uncover and brown 1/2 hour.
+
+      NOTE.--Seeded raisins may be added before browning. If
+      desired, a thin narrow shaving of the outside rind of
+      a lemon may be used as flavoring. Put this in the milk
+      with the rice.
+
+"Why, thank you, Baking Dish," exclaimed Mary Frances. "Will you kindly
+say it over slowly? I'll do it then, keeping time with your directions."
+
+This he did, and as Mary Frances slipped him into the oven, "I'm sure
+this will be good," he said; "I can always tell."
+
+[Illustration: "I'm sure this will be good"]
+
+"I'm very glad," said Mary Frances, gratefully.
+
+"Now for the Boiled Mutton," she said. "I guess, Iron Pot, you can tell
+me about that."
+
+[Illustration: Slipped him into the oven.]
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Iron Pot, importantly climbing from the shelf, and
+eying critically the piece of meat Mary Frances had placed on the table.
+
+"That's a pretty nice cut of meat--pretty nice. It will be all right to
+cook it as I will tell you. But, really, mutton is less greasy if it is
+boiled long enough before needed to let the gravy cool. Take off the
+cake of fat which will form on the top when cold. Of course, take the
+meat out as soon as it is tender, and after 'skimming' the gravy, put it
+in again to re-heat."
+
+"I haven't time!" said Mary Frances, anxiously.
+
+"You can put yours in a bowl, and stand the bowl in ice water to cool
+the liquor quickly, and do the same thing that way, now----"
+
+"You give the recipe?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+Iron Pot looked pleased, and began:
+
+      NO. 25.--BOILED MUTTON.
+
+      About 3 pounds rack of mutton or "yearling."
+
+      1. Wipe with a damp cloth.
+
+      2. Pour 3 cups boiling water into a large pot.
+
+      3. Throw in 2 peeled onions.
+
+      4. Put in the meat. Cover.
+
+      5. Boil 10 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: Stand the bowl in ice water.]
+
+[Illustration: Iron Pot looked pleased.]
+
+
+      6. Draw pot to back of stove where it will simmer, or
+      just bubble, until meat is tender when tried with a
+      fork, which will be in about 1-1/2 hours.
+
+      7. Take out the meat.
+
+      8. Skim off the fat from the surface of the liquor; or
+      if there is time, cool, and remove the hardened fat.
+
+"Correct!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, bending over Mary Frances' book. "And
+the gravy is made----"
+
+"Saucy!" began Iron Pot, in a boiling rage; but he suddenly stopped, as
+Mary Frances shook her finger at him.
+
+[Illustration: "Saucy!"]
+
+"It's all right this time," she said.
+
+"It is your place, Sauce Pan----"
+
+"It is my place," said Sauce Pan, trying not to let Iron Pot see how
+pleased he was to tell about
+
+      NO. 26.--SAUCE OR GRAVY FOR BOILED MUTTON.
+
+      1. After cooling and skimming off the fat, measure the
+      water in which the meat was boiled.
+
+      2. To each cupful, allow
+
+      1 tablespoon flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon
+      vinegar.
+
+      3. Moisten these with a little cold water.
+
+      4. Stir them into the boiling gravy.
+
+      5. Add 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley.
+
+[Illustration: "Correct!" exclaimed Sauce Pan.]
+
+"Thank you both, my friends," said Mary Frances, lifting Iron Pot.
+
+"My, but you're heavy!"
+
+"'Tis true," said Iron Pot, sadly, "all my old-fashioned friends, like
+Iron Tea Kettle--glancing toward the new Tea Kettle--and Caldron, are
+gone. But," he added, brightening up, "it has been proved that for
+boiling meats, no modern 'light-weights' could 'do them up so brown!'"
+
+"We'll prove it again," laughed Mary Frances. "I do believe I'll have a
+splendid lunch for Father--a regular big man's lunch. Listen!
+
+    Boiled Mutton    Parsley Sauce
+          Boiled Potatoes
+    Rice Pudding    Coffee
+
+[Illustration: "A splendid lunch for Father."]
+
+"And now I'll set the table! I think I'll use the very best silver, and
+the prettiest dishes--it will please father, I know."
+
+This is the way Mary Frances set the table for her father and Billy's
+lunch. Mary Frances sat in her mother's place.
+
+[Illustration: "My, but you're heavy!"]
+
+[Illustration:
+
+1. Fork
+
+2. Knife
+
+3. Spoon
+
+4. Tumbler
+
+5. Butter "pattie"
+
+6. Napkin
+
+7. Platter for boiled Mutton
+
+8. Vegetable Dish for Potatoes
+
+9. Holder for Rice Pudding Dish
+
+10. Tray for Coffee Pot, and cups, Saucers, sugar bowl and cream pitcher
+
+11. Flowers
+
+12. Salt and pepper shakers
+
+A. Father's Place
+
+B. Billy's Place
+
+C. Mary Frances' Place]
+
+Just as Mary Frances was finishing getting the lunch, the 'phone bell
+rang and Billy answered.
+
+This is what Mary Frances heard:
+
+"Hello!"
+
+--------
+
+"Yes!"
+
+--------
+
+"Too bad, Father, can't you?"
+
+--------
+
+"Well, I'll tell her, but I hate to, awfully. She's been hard at work
+all the morning."
+
+--------
+
+"I?--Oh, I attended to the fire for her, then went upstairs to make
+those drawings."
+
+--------
+
+"Oh, yes; I'll look after her, all right."
+
+--------
+
+"Yes, she is--a regular 'brick!'"
+
+--------
+
+"All right. Good-bye!"
+
+--------
+
+"Sis!"
+
+[Illustration: "Hello!"]
+
+"I know, Billy," Mary Frances sobbed. "I know!--Father can't come, and
+everything is ready. Oh, dear! Oh, oh,--de--ar!"
+
+"Oh, I say, Sister," said Billy; "I'll pretend I'm Father--won't that
+do? And--oh, yes! I'll show you how to fold a napkin into 'Cinderella's
+slipper!'"
+
+"Where did you learn how?" Mary Frances began to dry her tears.
+
+    "Not on land, and not on sea
+    Did this knowledge come to me.
+    When I learned, I had on my hat--
+    Where was I? Now, riddle me that?
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    No, lady fair, not up in the air--
+    On a boat in the river."
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, dear! Oh, oh,--de--ar!"]
+
+"Silly Billy!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Please show me the trick now,
+will you?"
+
+"Yes," said Billy, "and then I'll eat Father's share, as well as mine,
+of a very 'grand' lunch--if my nose isn't deceiving me."
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "that will help some; but please fold the
+napkin."
+
+And Billy showed her this:
+
+[Illustration: "I'll show you how to fold a napkin."]
+
+[Illustration:
+
+1. Fold napkin twice, making it fourfold. Make crease through the
+center, as shown in =Figure I=
+
+2. Fold each end along _dotted_ line in =Figure I= over to center
+crease. Then the napkin will be in the form of =Figure II=
+
+3. Fold napkin again along _dotted_ line in =Figure II= over to center.
+Then it will look like =Figure III=
+
+4. Fold the napkin together along center crease, bring one side exactly
+over the other. Then the napkin will look like =Figure IV=
+
+5. Fold one side along _dotted_ line in =Figure IV=, turning end
+_under_, and bringing it up as shown in =Figure V=
+
+6. Fold along _dotted_ line in =Figure V=, bringing point "a" _over_ to
+meet letter "b". Then the napkin will look like =Figure VI=
+
+7. Tuck the end =A= into opening A-B, folding along dotted line in
+=Figure VI=, and stand slipper as in =Figure VII=. Fold back and spread
+open the top, into which slip candy or flowers]
+
+Mary Frances was so pleased with the Cinderella's slipper that she
+folded all the napkins on the lunch table.
+
+"Looks like a hotel table," said Billy.
+
+"Well, Billy," said Mary Frances, "I know fancy folded napkins aren't so
+nice for home--but you don't mind."
+
+"Indeed, no," said Billy; "I feel proud."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+While they were at lunch there came a knock and a boy from the store
+handed in a box of candy and a little note addressed to
+
+      _Miss Mary Frances._
+
+[Illustration: A box of candy and a little note]
+
+"Ahem," said Billy, as Mary Frances opened the box, and offered him some
+candy "since Father couldn't come, he sent a sweet guest in his place."
+
+"It isn't very nice to eat up your guest," laughed Mary Frances.
+
+"Mary Frances," asked Billy, "what's better than a cream chocolate?"
+
+"Two cream chocolates, I guess," said Mary Frances, passing the
+box--"but, Billy, listen:
+
+[Illustration: "What's better than a cream chocolate?"]
+
+"Dear Miss Mary Frances:
+
+"My little girls disappointment in not having her father to lunch today
+can scarcely equal his.
+
+"A very wicked man came on business from a long distance and prevented
+me from being.
+
+                                              "Hungrily yours,
+                                                            "Father
+
+"P.S.--Please accept candy with my love.
+
+    "The third of September."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+POOR BLUE PITCHER
+
+
+"WHY," said Mary Frances, looking over her book next morning at the
+breakfast table, "to-day's lesson is so easy I think it would be just
+the time to invite Eleanor over for her cooking lesson.
+
+[Illustration: Pare and slice]
+
+"I do wonder whether the Kitchen People will talk and help us--or
+whether they can help but one person. It would be pretty hard without
+their help; but let me read the recipe again:
+
+      NO. 27.--APPLE SNOW.
+
+      1. Pare and slice apples, dropping into cold water.
+
+      2. Cook slowly until soft.
+
+      3. Mash well and measure.
+
+      4. To every cupful, allow
+
+    1/4 cup powdered sugar,
+    white of 1 egg, well beaten.
+
+      5. Add a spoonful of each to apples until used,
+      stirring in lightly each time.
+
+      6. Add 1 drop vanilla for each cup of apples.
+
+      7. Serve with cream.
+
+[Illustration: Apple Snow]
+
+"I guess I'll go ask the Kitchen People about it right away!"
+
+But some one was talking.
+
+"Wonder what little Mistress will cook to-day."
+
+"I'll see if they know," said Mary Frances to herself.
+
+"It's hard to remember so far ahead," complained Coffee Pot. "I wish it
+was my turn all the time."
+
+"Oh, you have more chance than most of us, except Tea Kettle," exclaimed
+Sauce Pan. "I expect, though, most of us will be used a lot
+now,"--airily.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Oh, I read a poem about it, which proves----"
+
+"Say it!" interrupted several Kitchen People. ("What fun!" thought Mary
+Frances. "I'll try to remember it.")
+
+[Illustration: Complained Coffee Pot.]
+
+[Illustration: Beginning to recite.]
+
+"All right!" said Sauce Pan, proudly, beginning to recite:
+
+    "'The good old times are back, they say;
+     Now, people eat six times a day.
+     Nothing they eat is quite so good
+     As victuals, eatables and food.
+     They'll eat 'em cooked, they'll eat 'em raw,
+     While they have teeth with which to chaw.'"
+
+"Beautiful!" exclaimed the Kitchen People.
+
+"If that isn't too silly for anything in the world!"
+
+It was a new voice. Mary Frances peeped out. Big Blue Pitcher was near
+the edge of the shelf.
+
+"It's perfectly true, though," re-tort-ed Sauce Pan, angrily.
+
+"There! There!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, soothingly; "don't get so
+excited! Of course it's true."
+
+"You bet it's true and I can prove----"
+
+"Oh, my ear!" cried Blue Pitcher, toppling dangerously near the edge of
+the shelf. "Prove it! Prove it! You can't!--you conceited id-i-o-ti-cal
+old Sauce Pan! I dare you!"
+
+[Illustration: Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge]
+
+Over he went--Crash!!!--broken into pieces.
+
+"He's dead," exclaimed the excited Kitchen People, and began to wring
+their funny little hands, and to cry
+
+    "Oh, why did-de-die?
+    "Oh, why did-de-die?
+    "Oh, why did-de-die? did-de-die-die-die?"
+
+[Illustration: Over he went--Crash!!!]
+
+They kept up this chant until Mary Frances stepped out into the kitchen.
+
+"Why _did_-de-die?" demanded Mary Frances, but not a word was answered.
+
+"What will Mother say?" she said, sweeping up the broken pieces of poor
+Blue Pitcher. "Won't she be sorry!"
+
+"Yes, she will!" said Sauce Pan; "but it was his own fault! I think
+Jubey'll be sorrier! She thought Blue Pitcher one of her best friends.
+They were very con-fi-dent-ial. Only yesterday I heard her telling him
+that always after eating a hearty meal for which she had no appetite,
+she felt hungry."
+
+"What did Blue Pitcher say?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin.
+
+"Never paid any 'tention--just said: 'Humph, Jubey, I know where a lot
+of cat-tails grow!'
+
+"'You do, do you?' said Jubey. 'I'd like to know.'
+
+"'On little kittens!' said Blue Pitcher."
+
+The Kitchen People laughed.
+
+"Bet Sauce Pan made that all up," whispered Coffee Pot.
+
+"No," said Sauce Pan, overhearing, "I--I don't tell _tails_!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+MARY FRANCES GIVES A COOKING LESSON
+
+
+"COME!" said Mary Frances. "This is enough nonsense for one day.
+
+"Now, Kitchen People, I promised to give a friend of mine a cooking
+lesson. If I bring her now, can you help us,--as you generally do me?"
+
+"No, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, smiling; "but perhaps you have
+learned by this time pretty nearly well enough to do an easy lesson
+without our help. We can't talk before other people, you know. Perhaps
+the little girl's own Kitchen People will help her some time."
+
+[Illustration: "You can get along nicely"]
+
+"Well, it's a very easy lesson, I think.--'Apple Snow,' she added. And
+'a promise 's a promise!'"
+
+"Yes," interrupted Sauce Pan, "you can get along nicely with that
+recipe."
+
+[Illustration: The little girls had a lovely time.]
+
+"Perhaps I can," said Mary Frances, happily. "I'll go over for Eleanor
+now."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The little girls had a lovely time doing just as Mary Frances' mother
+had written in the recipe. The Kitchen People watched out of the corners
+of their eyes, but never said a word.
+
+"Oh, isn't this good," sighed Eleanor, eating the light, delicious
+dessert. Then, "Mary Frances, I know; I'm going to ask my mother for a
+cook book! I wonder if you'll let me borrow yours some time to show
+her."
+
+"Of course!" laughed Mary Frances.
+
+Just then there was a ring at the door-bell.
+
+In came Aunt Maria with a mysterious looking bundle.
+
+"Why, my dear, you have company, I see," said the old lady with a smile.
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Eleanor, "Mary Frances has been giving me a cooking
+lesson."
+
+Mary Frances shook her head and put her finger to her mouth, but Eleanor
+didn't understand.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, isn't this good."]
+
+"A cooking lesson!" exclaimed Aunt Maria. "A cooking lesson! Mary
+Frances! A cooking lesson!"
+
+Then she began to laugh.
+
+[Illustration: Then she began to laugh.]
+
+"Oh, my dear!" she said. "I'm so happy I'm crying. Silly old me!" and
+she wiped the tears from her spectacles.
+
+"Mary Frances, dear," she said, at length, "I heard about the lovely
+things you made Mary Ann Hooper; and I found out, too, by wheedlin' it
+out of her, about the cooking lessons--and here's a surprise for you,"
+and she handed the bundle to the little girl.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Maria!" cried Mary Frances unwrapping it. "Look, Eleanor!--a
+little cap and apron!"
+
+"To wear at your cooking lessons," fluttered Aunt Maria.
+
+"How dear and lovely!" (Trying them on.) "Look, Eleanor, they just fit!"
+
+"You're the happiest girl in the world!" sighed Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: A little cap]
+
+"I should be, if Mother were really well," said Mary Frances; "but she's
+much better, and is coming home soon. Aunt Maria," she added,--"oh, I
+want you to share the secret! I'm doing all the lessons she had written
+out for me in my cook book--to surprise her when she comes home!"
+
+"Good!" said Aunt Maria. "I'll tell you!--you can get dinner ready the
+day she comes!"
+
+[Illustration: and apron.]
+
+"Wouldn't that be perfectly lovely!" said Mary Frances.
+
+Then, suddenly thinking,--
+
+"Oh, Aunt Maria, excuse me, please! Won't you have some of our
+lesson?--Some of the Apple Snow we made for our lesson, I mean?"
+
+"I'd ap-pre-ci-ate the kindness," said the old lady a little stiffly, as
+though a bit ashamed of her softness a moment ago. But after tasting the
+treat, she said:
+
+"It's the most beautiful snow I ever saw, little girls,--even more
+beautiful than that on which I, so many years ago, used to pull a sled."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Look, Eleanor, they just fit!"]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE PICNIC
+
+
+"CAN'T guess where I'm going to-day," laughed Mary Frances, coming into
+the kitchen next morning.
+
+"To the circus?" guessed Sauce Pan.
+
+Mary Frances shook her head.
+
+"Not to-day."
+
+"To the fair?" guessed Coffee Pot.
+
+"No!"
+
+"To the Zo-ol-og-ic-al Garden," guessed Sauce Pan, again, beginning to
+recite:
+
+    "'The Pan-Cans went to the Zoo,
+      It long had been their wish
+    To see the Baking Panimals
+      With the wildly Chafing Dish.'"
+
+[Illustration: "To the circus?"]
+
+"Wrong!" laughed Mary Frances. "All wrong!--Perhaps this will help you
+guess"--opening the cook book.
+
+[Illustration: "Wrong! All wrong!"]
+
+      NO. 28.--STUFFED EGGS.
+
+      1. Hard-boil eggs.
+
+      2. Drop into cold water. Remove shells.
+
+      3. Cut each in half lengthwise.
+
+      4. Turn out yolks into a bowl.
+
+      5. Carefully place whites together in pairs.
+
+      6. Mash yolks with back of a spoon.
+
+      7. For every 6 yolks, put into the bowl
+
+    1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
+    1/2 teaspoon mustard (the kind prepared for table)
+    1/2 teaspoon salt
+    dash cayenne pepper
+
+      8. Rub these together thoroughly with the yolks.
+
+      9. Make little balls of this paste, the size of the
+      yolks.
+
+      10. Fit one ball into each pair whites.
+
+      NOTE.--If used for table, serve with White Sauce
+      poured around them. If used for picnic, wrap waxed
+      paper around each until needed.
+
+[Illustration: Stuffed Eggs.]
+
+"It's a picnic! It's a picnic!" cried the Kitchen People.
+
+"Yes!" explained Mary Frances, "that's it! Aunt Maria is giving me a
+picnic to 'celebrate my ambition,' she says--whatever that means.
+Anyhow, Father's coming. He's going to make up for the lunch he couldn't
+come to. I'm so happy!"
+
+[Illustration: "It's a picnic!"]
+
+"So'm I! Goody! Goody! I'm all ready!"
+
+Mary Frances turned.
+
+"If it isn't Basket!" she cried. "I had no idea you----"
+
+"That I wanted to go?" asked Basket proudly. "My family are the most
+important 'picnickers' at any picnic! We always go!"
+
+"Well, to be sure!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Here, wait--these eggs will
+be ready in a minute!"
+
+"Tuck the napkin in carefully, please," said Basket. "I won't spill them
+out. Anything else?"
+
+"No," said Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria said I could bring just one
+thing--and to surprise everybody; so I have not told anyone what I am
+going to bring. I wonder if----"
+
+[Illustration: "I--want--to--go!"]
+
+But her thought was cut short by Coffee Pot's crying excitedly: "I want
+to go! I want to go! I--want--to--go! go! go! go! I want to
+go--go--go--go!--go--go!"
+
+"Oh, you can't go!" said Sauce Pan. "Why--you!--you'd--you--you'd----"
+
+[Illustration: "Goody! Goody! I'm all ready!"]
+
+"That will do," said Mary Frances. "I'll take you, Coffee Pot. Maybe
+Aunt Maria's little coffee pot won't be large enough for all of the
+picnic. Eleanor and Bob are going with us!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Coffee Pot looked tri-umph-ant-ly at Sauce Pan, but seemed too happy to
+say anything.
+
+"Good-bye, Kitchen People," said Mary Frances, "I wish I could take you
+all."
+
+"Good-bye," cried the Kitchen People; "hope you'll have a lovely time!"
+
+"I'd be scared," said Sauce Pan, glancing at Coffee Pot. "Who knows
+what's in the woods?" And as Mary Frances closed the door, he was
+singing:
+
+    "'If polar bears were everywheres,
+       And leopards came to tea,
+     And fearful bats and gnawing gnats
+       All came to eat with me,
+       And giant snakes ate all the cakes,
+     What a "picnic" that would be!'"
+
+                 "Boo!!!"
+
+[Illustration: "I'll take you, Coffee Pot."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE CANDY PULL
+
+
+"GET scared at the 'Pic-wick,'--I mean 'Picnic,'--Coffey," teased Sauce
+Pan next morning.
+
+"Nope," said Coffee Pot, "the 'airing' did me good. I feel lots
+clearer."
+
+[Illustration: Teased Sauce Pan]
+
+"Tell us about it?"
+
+"Oh, I'm not good at story telling! The Aunt told about the funniest
+recipe she knew,--called 'Merry Land Biscuits,' I think. Anyhow, she
+said to 'beat 'em twenty minutes with an axe!'"
+
+"That's a kitchen person I never heard of," said Tea Kettle.
+
+"Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin,
+anxiously.
+
+"Yes, and she talked about Mary Frances' de-vel-op-ment of
+char-ac-ter--whatever that is. It seemed to have something to do with
+cooking, for at the same time, she told about the things our little Miss
+had made, and seemed so proud.
+
+[Illustration: "Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?"]
+
+"'May I see your book, my dear?' she asked Mary Frances (for our little
+mistress had the book tucked under her arm). 'How far are you?' And when
+Mary Frances showed her:
+
+"'Candy!' she exclaimed, 'Why, to-morrow, my dear (she never used to
+call her my dear), you can have a Candy Pull--only,' she laughed, 'it
+isn't the kind that is pulled.'
+
+"'Oh, Aunt Maria,' said Mary Frances, 'that's the loveliest thought--the
+Candy Pull, I mean.'"
+
+"Humph," said Sauce Pan, "I don't think so! That means we can't help
+her."
+
+"Oh, no, it doesn't," said Aunty Rolling Pin. "We can help her a great
+deal by just doing our part. Don't you see? She doesn't need us as she
+used to."
+
+[Illustration: "Candy!" she exclaimed]
+
+"I 'spose we ought to be glad," said Sauce Pan.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Now, Eleanor," said Mary Frances that evening, "Father and the boys
+aren't invited until after the candy is made."
+
+"Where are they now--do you know?" asked Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: "We can help her a great deal"]
+
+"Father and Aunt Maria are in the library, and the boys are up in
+Billy's den! So we'll read the recipes over first thing, and get started
+soon as possible."
+
+"Do read them, Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "I'm so anxious--I'm just
+'crazy' to learn how to make them."
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "the first is 'Pickaninny Fudge!' Isn't that
+just like Mother!--to call Chocolate Fudge that cute name!"
+
+"Hurry, Mary Frances; do read it," cried Eleanor, delighted.
+
+Mary Frances read:
+
+      NO. 29.--PICKANINNY FUDGE.
+
+    2 cups sugar
+    1 cup milk
+    2 tablespoons butter
+    4 squares chocolate (4 ounces)
+    5 drops vanilla
+
+      1. Put sugar, milk, chocolate and butter together in a
+      pan.
+
+      2. Boil until a few drops harden when dropped into
+      cold water.
+
+      3. Butter a platter.
+
+      4. Add Vanilla to candy and stir while it cools.
+
+      5. Cut into squares with a buttered knife while still
+      soft.
+
+[Illustration: Mary Frances read]
+
+"That just makes my 'mouth water,' Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "If the
+next is as good as that----!"
+
+"It is!" declared Mary Frances. "Listen!
+
+[Illustration: "Hurry; do read it."]
+
+      NO. 30.--WALNUT KISSES.
+
+    1 cup brown sugar
+    1/2 cup granulated sugar
+    1/4 cup cold water
+    white 1 egg
+
+      1. Boil sugars and water together until a few drops
+      harden when dropped into cold water.
+
+      2. Beat white of egg stiff.
+
+      3. Pour the sugar syrup very slowly upon the white of
+      egg, beating all the time.
+
+      4. Butter a platter.
+
+      5. Drop by tablespoonfuls on the platter.
+
+      6. Put a half walnut on each little mound or "kiss."
+
+[Illustration: Walnut Kisses.]
+
+"These are 'grand,'" said Mary Frances. "Mother made some just before
+she was ill."
+
+"But have you the walnuts?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"Yes," explained Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria saw these recipes yesterday
+at the picnic, and she brought over a lot of walnuts ready for us. If
+she hadn't, I'd never have thought of them, I guess."
+
+"Now--to work! You can make the Walnut Kisses--if you like."
+
+"If you'll explain it all to me," said Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: "Now--to work!"]
+
+"Of course I will," said Mary Frances; "but you see, Mother has written
+out every single action just as you do it,--that makes it so easy. See
+if you can do it alone--try."
+
+"I'd love to," said Eleanor.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The little girls worked pretty quietly until they were ready to pour out
+the candy.
+
+"How are you getting along, children?" inquired Aunt Maria at the door.
+
+"Oh, Aunty, I'm so glad you came" said Mary Frances; "we were just a
+little afraid--without help."
+
+"Yes, I see," said Aunt Maria; "you might easily be burned. This is
+perfect so far. Now----" and she showed the children how to pour out the
+candy.
+
+("Almost as well as the Kitchen People could," thought Mary Frances.)
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Walnut Kisses," said her father, kissing Mary Frances good-night, "are
+next best to real kisses, which, although they are made of nothing----"
+
+"Oh, Fudge!" exclaimed Billy, and everybody laughed.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: They were ready to pour out the candy.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+GETTING READY FOR A PARTY
+
+
+"HOW time flies!"
+
+Mary Frances tied on her new apron and put on her pretty little cap.
+
+"Fly time is nearly gone," said Sauce Pan, "and--school time is almost
+here," he added, seeing Mary Frances didn't seem to notice.
+
+[Illustration: Put on her pretty little cap.]
+
+"Yes," she said, "but before school time, there's a grand good
+time--Mother comes home to-morrow!"
+
+"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle. "So soon?"
+
+"Well," said Mary Frances, "it doesn't seem soon when I think of it
+without my cooking lessons--but when I think I'm nearly through the
+book----"
+
+"What's to-day's lesson?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "I'm so anxious you
+do get through!"
+
+"Thank you, Aunty Rolling Pin, I must tell you. I'm going to give a Tea
+Party!"
+
+"A Tea Party!" exclaimed Tea Pot, clapping his lid up and down. "Oh,
+lovely!"
+
+[Illustration: "A Tea Party!"]
+
+"Oh, this is a Tea Party without tea," said Mary Frances. "We're going
+to have two kinds of cake,--and cocoa!"
+
+Then, seeing how disappointed Tea Pot looked:
+
+"Oh, I will have tea, too. Aunt Maria without tea! That will never do!"
+
+"Now for the next recipe:
+
+      NO. 31.--SPONGE CAKE.
+
+    2 eggs
+    1 cup sugar
+    1/3 cup boiling water
+    1/2 teaspoon vanilla (or lemon extract)
+    1 cup flour
+    1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
+    dash of salt
+
+      1. Separate yolks of eggs and beat in a large bowl.
+
+      2. Add gradually half the sugar, stirring well.
+
+      3. Add the boiling water slowly.
+
+      4. Add remaining sugar, and the flavoring.
+
+      5. Sift together twice flour, baking powder and salt.
+
+      6. Sift by small quantities into the mixture, beating
+      well each time.
+
+      7. Beat whites of eggs and fold them into the cake.
+
+      8. Grease pan. Toss around in it 1/4 cup flour. Throw
+      out. This prevents sticking.
+
+      9. Pour in the cake.
+
+      10. Bake in a moderate oven about 35 minutes.
+
+[Illustration: "Aunt Maria without tea!"]
+
+[Illustration: "Humph!"]
+
+"Humph!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that's all right, but it doesn't give
+you much idea how the oven should be."
+
+"No," explained Mary Frances, "I 'spose Mother intended to show me about
+that."
+
+"Of course, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that was it. Now, I'll tell
+you all about cake----"
+
+[Illustration: "I'll tell you all about cake."]
+
+"What's that!" a queer, muffled voice.
+
+Mary Frances started in surprise.
+
+A great com-mo-tion inside the pantry, and the sound of many little
+voices! Then she made out the words:
+
+"Get out of my way! Here, you, step aside!" (Then a little shriek or two
+followed by the sound of falling tins.) "Oh, you knocked my nose. There!
+that makes the fiftieth dent! No wonder I look old and worn out. Can't
+you wait a minute?"
+
+At length there came a pounding on the door, and a high little voice--or
+was it two voices?
+
+"Let me out! Oh, I say, please let us out!"
+
+"Mercy!" thought Mary Frances, "I hope there isn't going to be any
+trouble." And she cautiously opened the pantry door a little way. The
+two Cake Tins pushed their way out.
+
+[Illustration: The two Cake Tins.]
+
+"Oh, thank you!" they said, breathlessly, in chorus (looking at each
+other all the while as though they'd learned and rehearsed every word).
+"I thought I'd never get out to help! I've listened through the door to
+every lesson, just hoping my turn would come. There I was back of the
+other pots and pans, and when I heard 'Cake' I just jumped!"
+
+"As I had just started to say"--Aunty Rolling Pin began.
+
+"What do you know about cakes!" cried the Cake Tins, angrily. "If
+everybody'd just mind his own cooking--who ever rolls cakes?"
+
+"Well, I know about cookies," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "and besides, I
+know about most things,--I belonged to a real cooking teacher!"
+
+[Illustration: "Prove it!"]
+
+"Prove it!" cried the Cake Tins.
+
+"I will," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "here's part of a lecture the teacher
+used to give:
+
+[Illustration: "What do you know about cakes?"]
+
+"Now, ladies, you can see the ex-ceed-ing-ly good texture of this cake,
+as I drop it from the spoon. The nu-tri-tive value of the ut-il-ized
+com-po-si-tion is unequaled, except in rare cases of cul-in-ary
+e-con-om-y. For instance, the proteids, the car-bon-a-ce-ous
+contrib-u-tions plus the con-di-ments, afford an instance of
+un-u-su-al strength-giving power. The in-ex-cus-a-ble prod-i-gal-i-ty of
+the A-mer-i-can house-wife----'"
+
+[Illustration: "I'll make the sponge cake first," said Mary Frances.]
+
+"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle, "for pity's sake, stop it!"
+
+"Humph!" said Square Cake Tin, "I don't see that that proves you know
+anything about cake. Now I'll explain:
+
+"There are really only two kinds of cake in general:
+
+"1. Cakes without butter, or some form of sponge cakes.
+
+"2. Cakes with butter, or plain cakes.
+
+"More important than the mixing of the cake is the baking.
+
+"Have a rather low fire, which will grad-u-al-ly increase in heat
+without adding more fuel.
+
+[Illustration: "Now I'll explain."]
+
+"Rules:
+
+"Thin cakes require a hotter oven than larger ones.
+
+"Molasses cakes will burn easily, so require a cooler oven than others.
+
+"Sponge cakes require a 'slower' oven than butter cakes.
+
+[Illustration: "Whew! for pity's sake, stop it!"]
+
+"Cake is done when it shrinks from the sides of a pan, or when a straw
+comes out dry. You know the way, don't you?"
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances. "My, what a lot you do know!"
+
+"Now, read the next recipe, please. The butter kind," said Mary Frances;
+whereat the Cake Tins looked pleased.
+
+[Illustration: The Cake Tins looked pleased.]
+
+      NO. 32.--DREAM CAKE.
+
+    4 tablespoons butter
+    1 cup sugar
+    2 eggs
+    1/2 cup milk
+    1-1/4 cups flour
+    2 teaspoons baking powder
+    1/8 teaspoon ground mace
+    dash of salt
+    1 teaspoon vanilla
+
+      1. Put butter in a bowl; add sugar. "Cream" or rub
+      thoroughly together.
+
+      2. Beat yolks of eggs. Add to butter and sugar,
+      stirring well.
+
+      3. Mix and sift twice flour, baking powder, mace and
+      salt.
+
+      4. Add one-third of the milk to the yolks, butter and
+      sugar.
+
+      5. Sift in one-third of the flour. Do this until all
+      the milk and flour are used, beating well each time.
+
+      6. Add vanilla. Beat well.
+
+      7. Beat white of eggs light. Fold them into the cake.
+
+      8. Grease shallow pan as in No. 31. Pour in the cake.
+
+      9. Bake in moderate oven about 35 minutes, or until it
+      shrinks from the pan.
+
+[Illustration: "Now, read the next recipe."]
+
+"We'll both be used!" exclaimed the Cake Pans, joyously. "I told you so!
+I told you!" they cried at each other as though having an argument.
+
+"Come," said Mary Frances, "less talking. We must get to work."
+
+"Look at the oven first," said the Cake Pans, as Mary Frances started to
+break the eggs.
+
+"Is it right?" asked the little girl, lifting them up to see.
+
+"Yes," they said, "it will be just right when we are ready."
+
+"All the ma-ter-i-als you'll need ready?" asked Round Cake Tin after a
+minute.
+
+"Yes," looking over the table, "I see--everything. Good!"
+
+[Illustration: "We must get to work."]
+
+"I brought the butter into the warm room an hour ago," said Mary
+Frances, "so that it would be softened by the time I needed it. I'll
+make the sponge cake first, as the oven will be cooler then."
+
+[Illustration: "We'll both be used!"]
+
+"Right!" cried the Cake Tins; "but when you open the oven door, be
+careful to do so gently, as any jarring will break the 'gas bubbles'
+very easily, doing much more harm toward making the cake heavy than the
+air; in fact, if the door is opened carefully, and not too soon, it does
+no harm."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+With the Cake Tins' help, a warm and tired, but very happy little girl
+brought two golden brown fragrant cakes to the table one-half hour
+before lunch time.
+
+"Turn us on our sides," panted the Cake Tins, "to let us cool off
+quickly and evenly. My, but it was warm in there!"
+
+"How beautiful the cakes look!" said Mary Frances, doing as she was
+told.
+
+"Why not take a taste?" Square Cake Tin asked.
+
+"Oh, it's just before lunch time," said Mary Frances, "and would spoil
+my ap-pe-tite. Mother doesn't allow me----"
+
+"Just one sweet mouthful?" tempted Cake Tin.
+
+"It seems so good. I guess I will--just this once," and cutting a piece,
+she ate it.
+
+"Oh," she cried, "my beautiful cake! Look, it's sinking down in the
+middle!" The tears came to her eyes.
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, I'm so, so sorry"]
+
+"Oh, I'm so, so sorry," said Cake Tin, "I was too excited and proud!"
+
+[Illustration: One-half hour before lunch time.]
+
+"Why didn't you tell me," Mary Frances asked, "that a fresh cake, if
+cut, would 'fall?'"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh," said Cake Tin, "I meant to be so helpful. I'll try never to be too
+proud again."
+
+[Illustration: "Is it right?" asked the little girl, lifting them up to
+see.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE TEA PARTY
+
+
+MARY FRANCES didn't eat much lunch.
+
+"What's the matter, child?" asked Aunt Maria, anxiously. "'Homesick' for
+Mother?--or was to-day's lesson too hard?"
+
+Then Mary Frances told of cutting and eating the fresh cake. "And, Aunt
+Maria," she said, the tears flowing down her cheeks, "it went down!
+
+    down!
+           down!
+
+until I was afraid it would rise out of the bottom of the pan the other
+way."
+
+[Illustration: "What's the matter, child?"]
+
+"Never mind, dear child," Aunt Maria comforted her. "I did the same
+thing to my first cake. I remember it well!"
+
+"You did, Aunt Maria?"
+
+"Yes," said the old lady. "I'll tell you what we'll do! I'll bake a cake
+in place of yours for to-night's party. Don't tell any one."
+
+[Illustration: "It went down! down! down!"]
+
+"Oh, thank you, Aunt Maria," cried Mary Frances; "that's so kind!"
+
+"Not a word to any one!" cau-tion-ed Aunt Maria. "What else do you
+have?"
+
+"Cocoa," said Mary Frances; "I can make that."
+
+"My," smiled Aunt Maria, "I'm so proud."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After the games and riddles, Mary Frances excused herself from her
+guests, and made the cocoa and the pot of tea for her aunt. Then Billy
+carried in the tray, on which she had placed the cake, and the cups and
+saucers, plates, napkins, and Chocolate Pot, and, oh, yes, Tea Pot, for
+Aunt Maria; and she poured the cocoa like a real grown lady, while the
+boys passed the plates and the cake, and served the guests to the cups
+of cocoa.
+
+"Did Mary Frances make this cake?" asked one of the guests. ("I'm
+awfully glad she didn't ask about the other," thought the little girl.)
+
+[Illustration: "Did Mary Frances make this cake?"]
+
+"Yes," said Eleanor's brother Bob. "Yes; knowing the greatness of the
+present oc-ca-sion, I have written a poem, en-ti-tled, 'Ode to the Cook'
+(bowing to Mary Frances), which, with your kind indulgence, I will now
+read:"
+
+[Illustration: "Ode to the Cook"]
+
+"Begin!" laughed Mary Frances.
+
+Bob cleared his throat and began:
+
+    "Mary Frances is a girl
+       Who cooks for you and I;
+     She can boil a fancy cake
+       Or stew a cherry pie.
+
+    "Once she made a pot of soup
+       And served it for our dinner;
+     We thought that we were like to die,
+       It made us so much thinner."
+
+"Time to weep?" asked Billy, pa-thet-i-cal-ly.
+
+    "Now, this, our cook will save expense,
+       For when she is your baker,
+     You may save your doctor's bill--
+       Just get an undertaker."
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, Bob, I say--"]
+
+"Now, Billy," cried Mary Frances, "what have you been telling?"
+
+"Oh, Bob, I say--" said Billy.
+
+[Illustration: "Begin!"]
+
+"Mary Frances, don't mind Bob," interrupted Eleanor. "You see what I
+have to stand all the time." And Mary Frances laughed heartily.
+
+"Did you think I minded Bob?" she asked.
+
+"Show you forgive me, Mary Frances," begged Bob, "by letting me have
+another cup of cake, and another piece of cocoa."
+
+"Not _another_," laughingly corrected Mary Frances. "To be polite, I
+believe I must pretend I didn't notice you'd had any."
+
+"You certainly are kind, Mary Frances," said Bob, "when I don't know how
+many pieces----"
+
+"I know," cried Eleanor,--"this makes the fifth!"
+
+"Well, Nell," begged Bob, "don't tell Mother."
+
+"You deserve it," said Eleanor.
+
+[Illustration: "Don't tell Mother."]
+
+"Come," said Billy, "all ready! another game! 'Blind feeds Blind!'" And
+they blindfolded the boys' eyes, and sat them opposite each other, each
+with a plate of little pieces of cake, and a spoon. They were to try to
+feed each other. The one who dropped the least number of pieces, and
+whose cake was first gone, won. It was very funny! Sometimes the spoon
+was poked into the other boy's ear; sometimes it hit his nose.
+
+[Illustration: "Blind feeds blind]
+
+"Everything was grand, Mary Frances," said Eleanor, "and it was the
+loveliest party!"
+
+"I think so, too," smiled Aunt Maria.
+
+"One last riddle," said Mary Frances' father, bidding the young people
+good-night:
+
+"'Why is Mary Frances the happiest girl in the world?'"
+
+Then they all guessed----
+
+"Because 'Mother' is coming home to-morrow!"
+
+"Oh, Mary Frances," laughed Eleanor, "I've had more fun! Good-night,
+dear." And "So have we all of us," and "Thank you," cried the others.
+
+    "Good-night!"
+                "Good-night!"
+                           "Good-night!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Never mind, dear child." Aunt Maria comforted her.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER
+
+
+"OH, my dear Kitchen People, I'm so happy, I don't know whether I'm
+myself or not!"
+
+"You are!" solemnly declared Sauce Pan,--"I mean you are our little
+'Miss'--Miss Mary Frances."
+
+"My, I feel so relieved!" said Mary Frances. "Since that is so, I'll
+tell you why I'm so excited! Mother is coming home to-day--and--I'm
+going to get dinner. Isn't it lovely?"
+
+"Everybody," shouted Tea Kettle, "ready!"
+
+With that, every utensil in the kitchen sprang to its queer little feet.
+
+[Illustration: "You are!"]
+
+"We're all quite ready, Mistress," said Tea Kettle, trying to make a
+bow, but looking very clumsy and ri-dic-u-lous, trying at the same time
+to keep water from spilling out of his nose.
+
+"Thank you, everybody," said Mary Frances, very gravely, however. "I'll
+not need anyone just now but Aunty Rolling Pin. Where is she?"
+
+[Illustration: "Everybody, ready!"]
+
+"She's out picking cherries to make a pumpkin pie," said Sauce Pan in a
+loud whisper to Pie Plate.
+
+"Here I am, child," Aunty Rolling Pin's voice answered. "I can't seem to
+roll out. Get out of my way--you!"
+
+With that, Knife, Fork and Spoon slid to the side of the table, and she
+rolled to the edge.
+
+"What is it, child?" she smiled.
+
+"It's the grandest thing!" said Mary Frances.
+
+[Illustration: Slid to the side of the table.]
+
+      NO. 33.--QUEEN OF HEARTS TARTS.
+
+      Spread cooked heart-shaped pastry shells with
+      preserved cherries. See No. 34.
+
+"Tarts!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Oh, my handles! I'm so happy! Are
+the cherries ready, child?" she asked, anxiously.
+
+"Yes," said Mary Frances, "I am to use
+
+[Illustration: "What is it child?"]
+
+      NO. 34.--PASTRY.
+
+    1 cup flour
+    1/4 teaspoon salt
+    1/3 cup lard
+    1/3 cup cold water
+
+      (Use as little water as possible.)
+
+      1. Sift salt and flour into a bowl.
+
+      2. Rub lard into flour with finger tips until like
+      coarse powder.
+
+      3. Add half the cold water, stirring with a knife to
+      form a stiff ball. Keep this on one side of the bowl.
+
+      4. Stir in more water until the remaining flour forms
+      a ball. Press these balls together.
+
+      5. Roll out. Fit to pie plate. Trim off overhanging
+      edges.
+
+      6. Bake in a hot oven.
+
+"That's it!" exclaimed Aunty Rolling Pin, joyously. "I was afraid there
+might not be 'shortening' or lard enough in the recipe. The whole art of
+making good pastry is in having one-third as much lard as flour, and
+using as little water as possible.
+
+"I was afraid, too, that your mother would not put 'pastry' in the book,
+for when flour or starch grains are coated in fat they are too dry to
+'swell' well in cooking, and cannot burst open. They are not, I'm sorry
+to say, a very di-ges-ti-ble food."
+
+"I'm glad she did, though," said Mary Frances; "she will not often let
+us eat 'pastry,' but I 'spect she im-ag-ined how pleased I'd be. I
+wonder why pie tastes so good, if it isn't good for us? My, how much I
+have to do! Now I'm ready!"
+
+At these words, Middle-sized Bowl sprang upon the table.
+
+[Illustration: "That's it!"]
+
+[Illustration: Sprang upon the table.]
+
+Measuring Cup dumped a cup of flour into it, and ran toward the lard
+kettle, which was standing near.
+
+"Is the salt in the flour?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, crit-i-cal-ly.
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said Tea Spoon, "I put it in."
+
+"Who'll measure the lard?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+"I will!" and Measuring Cup threw it into Bowl.
+
+"Well," laughed Mary Frances, "and what do I do?"
+
+"You'll do enough, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "before you get ready
+a whole big dinner, even with our help."
+
+"Well, really," said Mary Frances, "I 'spose I ought to explain: These
+tarts are more 'specially for Billy than for dinner. I promised him----"
+
+"Oh, that's all right," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "that only makes it
+nicer than ever!"
+
+[Illustration: Dumped a cup of flour into it.]
+
+"Now," she went on, "rub the flour and lard together. Cover the lard
+with the flour. Yes, that's it! Now, rub them together until it seems
+like coarse powder. You could use a knife instead, chopping the lard all
+through."
+
+[Illustration: "You'll do enough, child."]
+
+"That right?" asked Mary Frances, holding some down for Aunty Rolling
+Pin to look at, since she couldn't see over the edge of Bowl.
+
+"Yes, that is right," she answered. "Now, you may use a knife for
+stirring and pour just a little water in--oh, mercy! child! (as Mary
+Frances was about to throw in a quarter of a glass) not that way! Make a
+little 'well' in the flour. Pour in about one tablespoon of water. Mix
+well. Let that rest at one side and do the same thing in another place,
+and then another, finally stirring all together into one big ball.
+
+"That's just right!" as Mary Frances lifted up the paste.
+
+"Now, sift a little flour on the board and--oh, how many tarts are you
+going to make?"
+
+"Six."
+
+[Illustration: "All ready!"]
+
+"All right. Cut the paste into five even pieces, and with _me_ (Mary
+Frances laughed, Aunty Rolling Pin seemed so pleased) roll out each
+piece about one-eighth of an inch thick. After cutting out, save all the
+left-over trimmings to use for the last one. Plates ready?"
+
+"All ready!" answered the little heart-shaped Tart Plates.
+
+[Illustration: "That right?"]
+
+"How do I make a pretty border?" asked Mary Frances, cutting the
+trimmings from the edge of Tart Plate with a knife held upright along
+the edge.
+
+Fork came dancing from the edge of the table.
+
+"Oh, I remember!" said Mary Frances, pressing the prongs into the outer
+edge of the crust.
+
+"They're grand!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Can you bake them? You
+need a very hot oven to bake them."
+
+"But the cherries!" said Mary Frances, glad to think she had caught
+Aunty Rolling Pin in an oversight.
+
+"Not until the pastry's cooked, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, with a
+smile.
+
+Mary Frances slipped the little plates into the oven, and made room on
+the table to place the dinner as she prepared it.
+
+In a short fifteen minutes the tarts were ready.
+
+"Aren't they sweet!" the little girl exclaimed. "My! I wish they were
+thought to be very good for children!"
+
+[Illustration: "Aren't they sweet!"]
+
+"What's for dinner?" asked Tea Kettle, anxiously.
+
+[Illustration: Slipped them into the oven.]
+
+"I'll tell you," said Mary Frances, "I've written out the
+
+    MENU
+
+    Potato Soup
+    Pan-broiled Steak
+    Creamed Cabbage      Mashed Potatoes
+    Tomato and Lettuce Salad
+    Banana Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce
+    Coffee
+
+[Illustration: "Very elegant!"]
+
+"Very elegant!--but that's a lot to do, isn't it?" said Tea Kettle.
+"Perhaps, if you read over all the new recipes, and we talk them over
+when its each one's turn to commence, we can work better."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Tea Kettle," said Mary Frances, "that is a very bright
+idea." Tea Kettle glistened.
+
+"I'll read them," continued Mary Frances, "as they come in the book."
+
+[Illustration: "Lettuce washed, and tomatoes sliced."]
+
+"I have the lettuce well washed, and the tomatoes sliced. All I have to
+do is to dry the lettuce at dinner time, and soon I can make the
+
+      NO. 35.--SALAD DRESSING.
+
+    1 teaspoon salt
+    3/4 teaspoon mustard
+    1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
+    2 teaspoons flour
+    3/4 cup sour cream (or milk)
+    1 egg
+    1 tablespoon vinegar
+    1 teaspoon butter
+    A few grains of red pepper.
+
+      1. Beat egg.
+
+      2. Mix mustard, sugar, flour, salt and pepper.
+
+      3. Add egg slowly, beating well at the same time.
+
+      4. Add milk. Beat.
+
+      5. Cook in a sauce pan placed in boiling water.
+
+      6. Stir until it thickens like cream. Remove from heat
+      at once.
+
+      7. Add vinegar very slowly, beating all the while.
+
+      8. Stir in the butter.
+
+      Serve cold on lettuce or sliced tomatoes.
+
+"If this is cooked too long, it will 'curdle' or the be egg will become
+hard and separate," said Sauce Pan; "but I'll be careful. Now I'm ready
+for work."
+
+[Illustration: "I'll be careful."]
+
+Mary Frances laughed. "Thank you, Sauce Pan," she said, as he began to
+move around, going hither and thither.
+
+[Illustration: "Thank you, Sauce Pan."]
+
+"The next recipes are
+
+      NO. 36.--CREAMED NEW CABBAGE.
+
+      1. Cut in half and wash well a young green cabbage.
+
+      2. Cut out and throw away the hard stem part.
+
+      3. Make ready a kettle of boiling water. Put in
+      cabbage. Leave uncovered.
+
+      4. When the water boils, throw in 1 teaspoon salt and
+      1/4 teaspoon baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda).
+
+      5. Boil gently about half hour, or until it begins to
+      lose its bright green color. Lift out with skimmer.
+
+      6. Pour over it White Sauce just before serving.
+
+[Illustration: Young green cabbage.]
+
+      NO. 37.--BREAD PUDDING.
+
+      1. Cut slices of stale bread into squares of about one
+      half inch.
+
+      2. For 2 cups bread, allow
+
+    1 pint milk (2 cups)
+    2 tablespoons sugar
+    2 eggs
+    1/4 teaspoon vanilla
+
+      3. Moisten bread with hot water.
+
+      4. Butter pudding dish.
+
+      5. Put into it the moistened bread.
+
+      6. Beat yolks of eggs; add sugar; add milk.
+
+      7. Pour this over the bread.
+
+      8. Beat whites of eggs. Add 2 tablespoons powdered
+      sugar. Beat well.
+
+      9. Spread this over top of pudding.
+
+      10. Bake in moderate oven one half hour.
+
+      11. Serve with Hard Sauce or cream.
+
+[Illustration: Cut slices of stale bread.]
+
+
+      NO. 38.--BANANA BREAD PUDDING.
+
+      Slice bananas over top of Bread Pudding before
+      spreading on whites of eggs (No. 37).
+
+      Serve with cream or Hard Sauce.
+
+      NO. 39.--HARD SAUCE.
+
+    4 tablespoons soft butter
+    3/4 cup powdered sugar
+    1/2 teaspoon vanilla
+    beaten white of 1 egg
+
+      1. Make bowl and spoon hot with boiling water.
+
+      2. "Cream" or rub butter and sugar together, adding
+      sugar by spoonfuls.
+
+      3. Add vanilla.
+
+      4. Beat in the white of egg.
+
+      5. Put in a cool place until needed.
+
+[Illustration: To save a yolk.]
+
+"Yes," said Baking Dish, "that is very nice; but if you use the yolk of
+the egg in the pudding, it will save it, and make the pudding better."
+
+"To save a yolk, all you have to do (it was little Egg Beater) is to
+drop it into a cup and pour a little cold water over the top, to prevent
+its drying. You can use it next day, if you keep it cool."
+
+[Illustration: "Yes, that is very nice"]
+
+"It is wonderful," said Mary Frances, "what you Kitchen People know. If
+it weren't for your help, I'd be afraid to try to get this dinner. I'd
+have to make only one thing a day, as Mother meant me to do."
+
+All the Kitchen People smiled happily.
+
+"Is that the last recipe?" asked Frying Pan.
+
+"No," said Mary Frances. "Why, who are you?"
+
+"I'm Frying Pan, of the great Pan family, if you please, Miss," answered
+he.
+
+"Well! Well! Good friend," smiled Mary Frances, looking at her book,
+"your turn has come!"
+
+[Illustration: Smiled happily]
+
+      NO. 40.--PAN-BROILED BEEFSTEAK.
+
+      1. Heat an empty frying pan to blue heat, or until it
+      smokes. _No greasing is necessary._
+
+      2. Put in the steak.
+
+      3. Cook half minute.
+
+      4. Turn on other side.
+
+      5. Cook about 4 minutes.
+
+      6. Turn, and cook about 5 minutes longer.
+
+      7. Place on a hot platter, and spread with butter.
+
+      8. Sprinkle with a little pepper and salt, and 1
+      tablespoon finely chopped parsley.
+
+      9. Squeeze over it a little lemon juice.
+
+      10. Cover with another platter.
+
+      11. Remove top platter just before serving.
+
+      NOTE.--Mutton or Lamb Chops are pan-broiled in the
+      same way.
+
+[Illustration: "I'm Frying Pan."]
+
+"That's it!" cried Frying Pan, delighted. "That's as good as broiling,
+though it took people a long time to find it out."
+
+"It is not!" cried Gridiron Broiler angrily clicking his wires. "It is
+not, Spider!"
+
+"For shame!" said Mary Frances. "Don't call names!"
+
+"He isn't calling names," answered Frying Pan, "that's my other name,
+Frying Pan Spider."
+
+Then to Gridiron he added, "Come, don't let's quarrel, you'll admit
+pan-broiling is very nearly as good for chops as broiling over the coals
+in a broiler, and quite as good for steaks--nearly."
+
+[Illustration: "That's it!"]
+
+"I was just getting ready to say," said Gridiron, "you didn't mean
+'quite.'"
+
+"It's time to commence!" loudly struck in Mantel Clock.
+
+And then Mary Frances looked on in amazement.
+
+In walked Basket with the potatoes for the potato soup; up sprang Knife
+ready to pare them; over ran Boiler Pan with some water.
+
+"Why! Why!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Why!"
+
+[Illustration: "It is not!"]
+
+"Yes!" said Tea Kettle, "we'll do everything in the recipes you've
+already made. All you need to do is to make the new recipes--with our
+help," which Mary Frances did.
+
+Whenever she'd make a mistake, some one of the Kitchen People would
+correct and help her.
+
+At six o'clock all the dinner was ready to serve, and the table was set.
+
+"Oh, thank you, dear Kitchen People," said the beaming little girl;
+"this is the happiest time of my life."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "They're grand!" chuckled Auntie Rolling Pin. "Can you
+bake them?"]
+
+[Illustration: "YOU DEAR LOVELY CHILD," CRIED MOTHER.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+MOTHER'S SURPRISE
+
+
+AFTER one last look, Mary Frances, hearing the sound of carriage wheels,
+ran to answer the door before the bell rang; but Billy was there, too,
+and they opened the door together.
+
+"Oh, Mother!" cried Mary Frances; "you dear, darling Mother! What a
+'cry-baby' I am!" (as the tears rolled down her cheeks, and Mother
+kissed her and Billy and Father again and again) "What a 'cry-baby!'"
+
+"Which she is not!" declared Billy. "Tell Mother,--Mary Frances, I can't
+wait for you to tell your secret!"
+
+"A secret?" smiled Mother. "A secret, Mary Frances?"
+
+[Illustration: "A secret?"]
+
+"Oh, how good something smells!" said Mother. "It makes me hungry."
+
+"Come right out, then," said Mary Frances, bowing, "Dinner is Served."
+
+[Illustration: "You dear, darling Mother!"]
+
+"Here?" asked her mother. "I im-ag-ined we'd go over to Aunt Maria's."
+
+"No, Mother, dear," laughed Mary Frances, happily; "it's the 'surprise'
+for you." And they went into the dining-room.
+
+"Wh--wh--why! how did this happen?" asked Mother. "Where did this feast
+come from?"
+
+Everybody laughed and talked at the same time.
+
+"Mary Frances is guilty," laughed Billy; and Mary Frances "owned up."
+
+"Mother," said she, bringing her worn and somewhat soiled little cook
+book and putting it in her Mother's lap, "I've made everything! I've
+gone 'all through' my book! I got dinner to-night!--that's your
+surprise."
+
+[Illustration: "How did this happen?"]
+
+[Illustration: "I've made everything!"]
+
+"My own dear, lovely child!" said Mother. "You dear, precious
+baby-woman!" And taking Mary Frances in her lap, she hugged and kissed
+her again and again.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I'm awfully sorry I couldn't exactly explain about you--you dear
+Kitchen People," whispered Mary Frances, going out to bid them
+good-night. "If it hadn't been for you, I never, never could have done
+it,--my dear, dear, friends."
+
+"You'll not need us soon again," said Tea Kettle, sadly. "We're
+sorry--yet we're glad that your mother will take our place as teacher
+now."
+
+"Will you help me when I do need you?" asked Mary Frances.
+
+"When you do," they promised, and she threw them a kiss.
+
+"Good-night, little Miss," they cried; and when she turned round again,
+they looked just like any or-din-ary kitchen utensils.
+
+For a minute she felt very lonely; then, remembering, she said gladly,
+"But they promised!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, Mother!" cried Mary Frances.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Page vii, "Buscuits" changed to "Biscuits" (Baking Powder Biscuits)
+
+The following corrections are all made to illustration captions. As this
+was only possible to make in the txt version, these corrections do not
+appear in the HTML version.
+
+Page 58, illustration, "scacely" changed to "scarcely" (I can scarcely)
+
+Page 67, illustration, "whisper" changed to "whispered" (Sauce Pan
+whispered)
+
+Page 95, illustration, two instances of "riblon" were retained on the
+assumption that it is an example of Mary Francis' spelling in her
+handwritten invitation.
+
+Page 98, illustration, "Biscuts" changed to "Biscuits" (Baking Powder
+Biscuits)
+
+Page 124, illustration, "creace" changed to "crease" (Make creace
+through the)
+
+Page 124, illustration, "loke" changed to "look" (Then it will look
+like)
+
+Page 139, illustration, "pan" changed to "Pan" (Teased Sauce Pan)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Mary Frances Cook Book, by Jane Earye Fryer
+
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