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diff --git a/38215-8.txt b/38215-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bad290c --- /dev/null +++ b/38215-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5714 @@ +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 + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 38215-8.txt or 38215-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/2/1/38215/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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