Apple Tapioca(Three portions)
6T-pearl tapioca¼C-cold water1½C-boiling water1/3t-salt3T-sugar1C-sweetened apple sauce½t-vanilla
Soak the pearl tapioca in the cold water for ten minutes in the upper part of the double boiler. Add the boiling water, salt and sugar. Cook in the double boiler until transparent. Add one cup of apple sauce and the vanilla. Mix well. Serve either hot or cold.
PLANS FOR THE WEDDING
"OH, Bob, I can hardly wait to tell you all of Alice's wonderful plans," said Bettina.
"Don't wait, then. (Say, these are my favorite potatoes, all right!) Well, what about the wedding? All the gowns are being made, I suppose?"
"Yes, indeed. You know the four bridesmaids are to wear lavender maline over lavender taffeta, very fluffy and short,—can you picture them in your mind, Bob?"
"Not exactly, but then, go on."
"Well, they're nearly finished. I saw them today, and they're lovely. The girls are to carry lavender maline muffs, too—the round kind with fluffy bows at each end, and little pink rosebuds around the hand, you know. Then a corsage bouquet of violets with a pink rose in the center will be pinned on each muff. The bridesmaids will also wear lavender maline hats, with fluffy tarn o' shanter crowns and pink rosebuds around them."
"Is that what you'll wear?"
"No, Lillian and I are the matrons of honor, and we will be all in white, with white muffs, and corsage bouquets of pink roses on them. Won't that be lovely? I don't know yet whether Lillian's little Elizabeth, who will scatter rose petals from a fluffy long-handled basket, is to wear pink or white. Oh, I wish you might have seen the girls this afternoon! We tried on our dresses and planned the hats and muffs. I shallbegin my muff this evening; won't that be exciting?"
For dinner that night they had:
Pork Chops Bettina's PotatoesDate Bread ButterHead Lettuce French DressingChocolate Sponge CakeCoffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Bettina's Potatoes(Two portions)
1C-cold cooked potatoes diced1T-butter1½T-flour1T-pimento, cut up1 piece of soft cheese—a 1-inch cube½t-salt
Melt the butter, add the flour, cheese and salt. Mix well, and add the milk gradually. Cook until thick and creamy. Add the pimento and potatoes. Serve hot. (Bob considers this dish superfine.)
Date Nut Bread(Twelve pieces)
1C-graham flour1C-white flour½C-"C" sugar1t-salt4T-nut meats3T-chopped dates3t-baking powder1C-milk
Mix the ingredients in the order given. Place in a well-buttered bread pan, and bake in a moderate oven for thirty-five minutes.
Chocolate Sponge Cake(Fourteen cakes)
5T-butter4T-cocoa1 egg1/8C-sugar1t-cinnamon¼t-cloves1C-flour3t-baking powder½C-cold water½t-vanilla
Cream the butter, add the sugar. Stir in the egg and beat well. Add the cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, cocoa, flour, vanilla and water. Beat vigorously for two minutes. Bake in well-buttered gem pans for eighteen minutes. Serve warm if desired.
A GUEST TO A DINNER OF LEFT-OVERS
"AHA, I've found you out!" Bettina heard a laughing voice shout as she hurried up the steps.
"Why, Jack, when did you come to town?"
"This afternoon. Went to Bob's office the very first thing, and he insisted on bringing me home with him to dinner. I told him it might 'put you out,' but he spent the time it took to come home assuring me that you were always waiting for company—kept a light ever burning in the window for them and all that. He said that I'd see,—that you'd be on the doorstep waiting for us!"
"And after all that—you weren't here!" said Bob reproachfully.
"I'm just as sorry as I can be not to live up to Bob's picture of me," said Bettina. "I generally am waiting for Bob,—almost on the doorstep if not quite. But this afternoon I've been to a shower for Alice,—do you remember Alice, Jack?"
"Very well. The gay dark-eyed one. You don't mean to say that she's found a man who's lively enough to suit her?"
"Well, she seems to be suited, all right. But I must fly into an apron if you boys are to get any dinner within a half-hour. Jack, you'll have to pardon me if after all of Bob's eloquence I give you a meal of left-overs——"
"Don't apologize to a bachelor, Bettina. He probably won't know left-overs from the real thing," said Bob.
"Bachelors are said to be the most critical of all," she answered. "But I'll do my little best to please."
That night Bettina served:
Roast Beef PieBread ButterSliced Tomatoes with Salad DressingMarble Cake Coffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Roast Beef Pie(Three portions)
2C-chopped cold roast beef1C-gravy1C-cold diced potatoes (cooked)2T-chopped onion1C-flour2t-baking powder2t-lard1/8t-salt6T-milk
Mix the beef, gravy, potato and onion. Place in a shallow buttered baking dish. Make a biscuit dough by cutting the lard into the flour, which has been sifted with the baking powder, and salt, and gradually adding the milk. Pat the dough into shape and arrange carefully on top of the meat. Make holes in the top to allow the steam to escape. Bake in a moderate oven twenty minutes.
Marble Cake(Fourteen slices)
1C-sugar½C-butter
Cream together and divide into two parts, half for light and half for dark.
Dark Part
To one half add:¼C-molasses½C-milk2 egg-yolks1C-flour1t-baking powder1t-powdered cinnamon½t-powdered cloves¼t-grated nutmeg½t-vanilla
Mix this together thoroughly and set aside while the light part is being mixed.
Light Part
To the other half of the butter and sugar add:
½C-milk1C-flour1t-baking powder½t-vanillaWhites of two eggs beaten stiff
Put large spoonfuls of light and dark batter, alternating, in a loaf cake pan well fitted with waxed paper, until the pan is two-thirds full. Bake thirty-five minutes in a moderate oven.
A HANDKERCHIEF SHOWER
"WHAT a cunning table!" exclaimed four girls in various words and ways. Ruth and Bettina smiled happily to each other, for they, too, had admired the low bowl of purple and yellow pansies in the center, and the tiny individual vases for a few pansies at each place. The dainty doilies were also attractive, and Ruth had darkened the room and lit the small yellow candles on the table.
"But Bettina helped with the soufflé and the gold hearts," she said gallantly. "Did you see her disappear a short time ago? She was baking the cakes. When she suggested refreshments that should be made just before they were served, I was frightened. But when she offered to bake the things, you may be sure I was delighted."
At this moment a small figure appeared in the doorway. "Weady, Cousin Wuth?"
"Yes, dear."
In popped little Marjorie, Ruth's cousin, carrying a huge bouquet of handkerchiefs folded like white roses, fastened somehow to long stems with green leaves attached, tied with streaming yellow satin ribbon. Making a low bow to Alice, she recited in a baby voice:
"A handkerchief posie to carry each day.We trust they will not come amiss,In fact, we are sure that no other bouquetWas ever so useful as this!"
"Thank you, you darling!" said Alice, receiving the gift with delight.
Ruth served:
Apricot Soufflé Whipped CreamGold HeartsSalted Peanuts Coffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Apricot Soufflé (Soo-Flay) "Lightened with Air"(Six portions)
¼lb.dried apricots½C-sugar1t-lemon extract or 1t-lemon juice1/8t-salt3 eggs1t-baking powder¼t-vanilla6 candied cherries
Wash the dried apricots and soak for three hours in sufficient water to cover them. Cook slowly until tender (about ten minutes) in the same water in which they were soaked. Press through a colander, add the sugar and cook until very thick, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add salt and extract. Allow to cool. Beat the egg whites until very stiff, add the baking-powder, apricots and vanilla. Stir just enough to mix. Pour into well buttered individual tin or aluminum moulds until two-thirds full. Place the moulds in a pan of hot water and bake thirty-five minutes in a slow oven. Turn off the fire and allow the pans to remain in a warm place so that they will not fall. When slightly cool, remove carefully and serve as quickly as possible. Place whipped cream and a candied cherry on the top.
Whipped Cream(Six portions)
½C-heavy cream1t-sugar¼t-vanilla3 drops of lemon extract
Beat the cream until thick, add the sugar, vanilla and lemon extract. Place in a cool place until used.
Gold Hearts(Twelve Hearts)
4T-butter½C-sugar3 egg-yolks1T-water¼C-milk7/8C-flour1t-lemon extract1t-baking-powder1/8t-salt
Cream the butter, add the sugar, and mix well. Add the egg yolks, beaten well, and the water, milk, flour, baking-powder, lemon extract and salt. Beat for two minutes. Pour into a large flat pan prepared with waxed paper. The batter should be three-fourths of an inch thick in the pan. Bake twelve minutes in a moderate oven. Remove the paper, and cut when cool with a heart-shaped cooky cutter. Wet the cutter with water before using, as this assures even edges. Keep in a moist place until ready to serve.
Salted Almonds(Six portions)
¼lb.almonds (shelled)1 qt. boiling water1t-salt3T-olive oil
Allow the almonds to stand in boiling water in a covered utensil for fifteen minutes. Rinse off with hot water and place in a colander. Remove the skins. Place oil in a frying-pan when hot, add nuts. Stir constantly over a moderate fire for fifteen minutes. Pour into a clean cloth. Rub off any oil which has remained on the almonds. Sprinkle salt over the nuts while warm. When thoroughly cooled, place the almonds in a covered tin can until ready to serve.
JUST THE TWO OF THEM
"IT seems good to be alone this evening, doesn't it, Bettina?" said Bob, as they sat down to dinner. "Or are you growing so accustomed to gaiety lately that a dinner for two is a bore?"
"Bob!" said Bettina reproachfully. "If I thought you really believed that I was ever bored by a dinner for the two of us,—well, I'd never be in a wedding party again! Alice likes excitement, and I suppose that next week will be very gay, but after the wedding I hope that you and I can have a quiet winter, with just invitations enough to keep us from becoming too stupid."
"But tell me what the wedding will be like. Is it all planned down to the last detail? I suppose it is, although Harry doesn't seem to have any idea what it is to be."
"Poor Harry, he seems to be left out of most of the showers and parties so far."
"Don't pity him; he wouldn't go if he could. I'm just wondering what they'll do after the wedding. Will Alice go and Harry stay at home? Or, will he be obliging and force himself to go, too?"
"I don't know, I'm sure. Alice is so full of life that I don't see how she can settle down and never go anywhere, as Harry would have her. But time will tell. Perhaps they'll compromise. Meanwhile, we must plan some sort of a shower or prenuptial party that Harry can enjoy, too. One with the men included, I mean. Of course, I know he hates parties, but Ithink he would really like a very jolly informal one with just a few friends!"
The dinner for two consisted of:
Cold Sliced Lamb Baked PotatoesCreamed Carrots and PeasBread ButterApple Dumplings
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Creamed Carrots and Peas(Three portions)
½C-cooked, diced carrots½C-peas½t-salt1T-butter1T-flour½C-milk
Melt the butter, add the flour and salt, gradually add the milk. Cook two minutes. Add the peas and carrots. Serve very hot.
Apple Dumpling(Three portions)
½C-flour1t-baking powder1/8t-salt4T-sugar1T-lard2T-milk2 apples½t-cinnamon
Mix the flour, baking-powder and salt, cut in the lard with a knife. Add the liquid, mixing to a soft dough. Roll on a well floured board to one-fourth of an inch in thickness. Wash, pare and quarter the apples. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Cut the dough in five inch squares; place two quarters of apple in the center of a square; moisten the edges of the dough with water and bring the four corners together around the apple. Place in a tin pan and bake in a moderate oven until the apples are soft. (About thirty minutes.) Serve warm with cream.
A LUNCHEON IN THE COUNTRY
"OH, Charlotte, I've just come from the loveliest luncheon," said Bettina, coming face to face with Mrs. Dixon in front of her own home.
"You have? Another for Alice?"
"No, this was in the country—on the interurban, at Cousin Kate's. Frances, her daughter, who was married last spring, has come home on a visit, and Cousin Kate was entertaining for her."
"Tell me about it!"
"Oh, it was just an informal luncheon, but I couldn't help thinking how delicious everything was, and at the same time inexpensive. In fact, I wrote down several of Cousin Kate's recipes after the guests had gone, and I'm sure that there aren't many such inexpensive luncheons that are also so good."
"You must let me have some of the recipes."
"Of course I will. Come in now, and copy them."
"I can't possibly, Bettina. As it is, I'm afraid that Frank will be home before I am. It's almost six o'clock now."
"Is it? Then I must hurry in and start dinner; I want to make some muffins. I hate to have Bob eat a cold dinner just because I've been out in the afternoon; in fact, I usually spend more time than usual in the morning fixing some dessert that he especially likes, if I'm to be out in the afternoon. Good-bye, Charlotte!"
"Good-bye, dear!"
The luncheon menu was as follows:
Oyster Cocktail in Pepper CasesCream of Celery Soup CroutonsCheese Timbales Creamed PeasBaked ApplesBaking-Powder BiscuitGreen Bean Salad Salted WafersLemon Sherbet Devil's Food White IcingCoffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Oyster Cocktail in Pepper Cases(Six portions)
6 green peppers1 pint oysters5T-tomato catsup1T-lemon juice1T-horseradish½t-salt½t-tabasco sauce
Cut the stem end from the sweet green peppers. Remove the seeds and allow to stand in iced water. Pick over the oysters to remove any shells, and surround with chipped ice until ready to serve. Mix the catsup, lemon juice, horse radish, salt and tabasco sauce. Fill each pepper with four oysters, and put on tablespoon of the mixture on the top. Serve very cold.
Cheese Timbales(Six portions)
1T-butter1T-flour½C-milk½t-salt¼t-paprika¼C-fresh, soft bread crumbs¼C-grated American cheese1 egg
Melt the butter, add the flour, salt and paprika. Mix well, gradually add the milk, cheese and bread crumbs. Cook three minutes, and then stir in the egg, well beaten. Butter six timbale moulds well. Place the cups in a pan of hot water and cook fifteen minutes in a moderate oven. Allow to stand three minutes, and remove from the moulds. Serve hot with creamed peas.
Bettina's Green String Bean Salad(Six portions)
1C-cooked green beans¼C-cut celery¼C-pimento, cut fine1 hard-cooked egg, diced1t-salt¼t-paprika½C-salad dressing6 pieces of lettuce
Mix thoroughly the beans, celery, pimento, egg, salt and paprika. Add the salad dressing and serve on a piece of crisp lettuce.
Devil's Food Cake(Twenty-four pieces)
2C-brown sugar1C-milk½C-butter2 eggs3 squares chocolate2C-flour1t-soda1t-vanilla
Cream the butter, add one cup sugar. Mix egg yolks, the other cup sugar, one-half cup milk and chocolate; cook two minutes, stirring constantly. When cool, add this to the first mixture. Add the rest of the milk, vanilla, the flour and soda sifted together. Beat two minutes. Add stiffly beaten egg whites. Fill two tin pans prepared with waxed paper, bake in a moderate oven twenty-five minutes. When cool, ice with white icing.
A "PAIR SHOWER" FOR ALICE
WHEN Bettina called the girls into the dining-room after several hours spent in hemming dish towels for Alice, they exclaimed that the time had passed so quickly. The table was set for twelve, and the chair at the right of the hostess was gaily decorated with white ribbon and white paper flowers.
"Oh, for me?" cried Alice. "How important I feel!"
As soon as the girls were seated, Ruth rose and placed before the guest of honor a large wicker basket heaped high with packages of all shapes and sizes, each wrapped in white tissue paper and tied with white ribbon. A card hung from the handle of the basket. "I'll read it aloud!" laughed Alice.
"Dear Alice, we have tried to chooseSome gifts for you that come by twos.A few, perhaps, you'll often use,While some may comfort and amuse,If you should chance to get the blues,When household cares your mind confuse."This basket, which our blessing bears,Besides the gifts that come in pairs,Our friendship and our love declares.'Twill share your troubles and your caresAnd hold the hose that Harry wears.So keep them free from holes and tears."
"Goodness!" cried Alice. "The thought of my future caresfrightens me! But now I must open all the packages!"
She discovered a salt and pepper shaker, a pair of guest towels, a pair of hose, a sugar bowl and a creamer, and many other gifts in pairs. It was a long time before the girls could calm down sufficiently to eat the luncheon that Bettina, with Ruth's assistance, set before them.
Bettina served:
Bettina's Tuna SaladDate Bread Sandwiches Salted PeanutsMaple Ice Cream White Cake with Maple IcingCoffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Tuna Salad(Twelve portions)
2C-tuna fish2C-diced celery3 hard-cooked eggs, diced3T-green pepper, chopped fine4T-sweet pickle, chopped fine4T-pimento, cut fine2t-salt½t-paprika1T-lemon juice1C-salad dressing
Mix the tuna, celery, eggs, sweet pickle, pepper, salt and paprika with a silver fork. (Care should always be taken not to mash salads.) Add the salad dressing; more than a cup may be necessary. Keep very cold, and serve attractively on a lettuce leaf.
Salad Dressing(Twelve portions)
4 egg-yolks½C-vinegar½C-water1t-salt1t-mustard4T-sugar¼t-paprika2T-flour
Beat the egg yolks, add the vinegar. Mix the salt, mustard, sugar, paprika and flour thoroughly. Slowly add the water, taking care not to let the mixture get lumpy. Pour into the yolks and vinegar. Cook slowly, stirring constantly until thick and creamy. Thin with sour cream or whipped cream.
Date Bread(Eighteen Sandwiches)
1C-graham flour2C-white flour3t-baking powder1/3C-"C" sugar2t-salt1/3pound of dates, cut fine1½C-milk1 egg
Mix the flour, baking-powder, sugar, salt and dates ground fine. Beat the egg with a fork, and add the milk. Pour slowly into the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly and pour into two well-buttered bread pans. Allow to stand fifteen minutes and bake forty minutes in a moderate oven. When cold, cut very thin and spread with butter for sandwiches. Date bread is better for sandwiches when one day old.
Maple Icing
1½C-maple sugar1½C-granulated sugar2/3C-milk1t-butter1/8t-cream of tartar
Cook all the ingredients together until a soft ball is formed when a little is dropped into cold water. Beat until creamy enough to pour on the cake.
Salted Peanuts(Twelve portions)
2/3lb.peanuts (shelled)4T-olive oil2t-salt
Cover the peanuts with boiling water; allow to stand for fifteen minutes. Place one-third of the amount in a strainer (allowing remainder to stay in water) and remove the skins. Prepare all the peanuts the same way. Place two tablespoons of oil in the frying pan, when hot add the peanuts; stir constantly with a fork and cook over a moderate fire fifteen minutes. When brown remove the nuts, add another tablespoon of oil and another third of the peanuts, continue until all the nuts are cooked. Add the salt. Lard may be used in place of oil, but the latter makes the nuts taste and brown better.
BOB MAKES POPCORN BALLS
"OH, I forgot to tell you, Bettina," said Bob at the dinner table, "the Dixons are coming over this evening. Frank asked me if we would be at home."
"I'm so glad they're coming," said Bettina. "I haven't seen Charlotte for several weeks; I have been so busy with the affairs we girls have been giving for Alice. But I wish I had known this afternoon that they were coming. I'd like to celebrate with a little supper, but I haven't a single thing in the house that is suitable."
"There's the cider that Uncle John brought us," suggested Bob.
"Yes," said Bettina, "we might have cider. But what else?"
"I'll tell you," said Bob, "I'll make some popcorn balls. I've made them before, and I know exactly how."
"I'll help," said Bettina.
"No, I won't need you at all; I'm the chef."
"Well, Bobbie, at least you'll let me look on. May I be washing the dishes at the same time?"
"Yes, I'll permit that. These are going to be champion popcorn balls, I can tell you, Bettina—as big as pumpkins!"
"We'll serve them in that large flat wicker basket, and I'm sure they'll look and taste delicious. But we must hurry, Bob; it's after seven now!"
For dinner that night they had:
Broiled Ham Mashed PotatoesChili Sauce Creamed Onions Hot SconesPrune Blanc Mange with Cream
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Broiled Ham(Four portions)
1lb.ham2C-milk
Soak a one-half inch slice of ham in one cup of lukewarm milk for half an hour. Drain and wipe dry. Place in a hot tin pan and cook for five minutes directly under the flame, turning frequently to prevent burning.
Scones(Fourteen scones)
2C-flour4t-baking powder1/3t-salt2T-lard1 egg2/3C-milk1T-"C" sugar½t-cinnamon
Mix the flour, baking-powder and salt. Cut in the lard with a knife, add all but one teaspoonful of the beaten egg, then add the milk gradually. Mix with a knife into a soft dough. Pat into a square shape one-half inch thick. Brush over the top with one teaspoonful of egg and sprinkle with the sugar and cinnamon (mixed thoroughly). Cut into one and one-half inch squares. Place in a tin pan and bake twelve minutes in a hot oven.
Prune Blanc Mange(Four portions)
2T-cornstarch2T-sugar4T-cold milk2/3C-hot milk¼t-salt½C-cooked, cut prunes½t-lemon extract½t-vanilla
Mix the cornstarch, sugar and salt, and add the cold milk slowly. Gradually add the hot milk. Cook in a double boiler for twenty minutes. Add the prunes, lemon extract and vanilla. Beat well, and serve cold with cream.
AND WHERE WAS THE DINNER?
"HELLO!" called Bob at the door one evening.
No answer.
"Hello, Bettina!" he called again. Again the dark house gave forth no reply.
Feeling, it must be admitted, a little out of harmony with a world that allowed weary and hungry husbands to come home to dark and empty houses when the clock said plainly that it was a quarter after six, Bob made his way to the kitchen. Perhaps Bettina had left his dinner there for him; perhaps she had been called away, or perhaps, even, she had rushed out on some errand after dinner preparations were begun. The kitchen, however, was so immaculate as to seem distinctly forbidding to a hungry man whose appetite was growing keener every minute. And he had been thinking all the way home that a hot dinner would taste so good!
At that moment a clamor of voices at the door aroused him.
"You poor old Bob!" cried Bettina, kissing him twice before Fred and Ruth without the least embarrassment. "Have you waited long?"
"It seemed hours," admitted Bob.
"Ruth and I have been to a tea for Alice. Fred came for her there, and I persuaded them to come home to dinner with me. I'll give you each something to do while I stir up a little cottage pudding. Then dinner will be ready in half an hour."
"Half an hour?" cried Bob. "But, Bettina, where is the dinner? I didn't see any!"
"In the fireless cooker, you crazy boy! Are you 'most starved?"
"Well," said Bob, "that cooker was the neatest, stiffest-looking thing in the kitchen! I didn't dream that it was busily cooking a dinner. Say, I'll be glad to see a hot meal again!"
The dinner consisted of:
Round Steak with VegetablesDutch CheeseBread Plum ButterCottage Pudding Vanilla Sauce
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Round Steak with Vegetables(Six portions)
2 lbs. round steak6 potatoes6 carrots6 onions2T-flour2T-lard2t-salt¼t-paprika¼C-water
Pound the flour into the round steak with the edge of a small plate. This breaks the fibers of the meat, making it more tender. Wash and peel the potatoes, slicing in half lengthwise. Scrape the carrots, and cut into one-half inch slices lengthwise. Wash the onions and remove their outside skins. Sprinkle the vegetables with one and a half level teaspoons of salt, and the paprika. Add the water, and place in the bottom of the large fireless cooker utensil. Place the lard in a frying pan, and when hot, add the meat. Brown thoroughly on each side. Salt the meat with one-half level teaspoon of salt, and place in the kettle on top of the vegetables. Place the heated disks of the fireless cooker over and under the utensil, and cook at least one hour in the cooker.
Cottage Pudding(Six portions)
1½C-flour3t-baking powder¼t-salt½C-sugar1 egg½C-milk½t-vanilla3T-melted butter
Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the egg, milk and vanilla, and beat one minute. Add the melted butter, and pour into a well buttered tin pan. Bake twenty minutes in a moderate oven. Serve warm with vanilla sauce.
Vanilla Sauce(Six portions)
2/3C-sugar3T-flour1t-vanilla½t-lemon extract¼t-salt1½C-water1t-butter
Mix the sugar, flour and salt thoroughly. Add the water slowly. Boil two minutes. Add the vanilla, lemon extract, and butter. Beat one minute and serve. If too thick, more water may be added.
ALICE TELLS HER TROUBLES
"AND the minute I caught a glimpse of you, Bettina, at the tea this afternoon, I thought, 'Oh, if Betty would only ask me to go home with her to a sensible homelike dinner, with no one there but herself and Bob——'"
"Not even Harry, Alice?"
"No, not even Harry! I'm so sick and tired of teas and dressmakers and wedding gowns and bridesmaids that I'm tired even of Harry, too! Almost."
"But, Alice, then why do it all? Why have all this fuss and feathers?" And Bettina's knife, with which she was cutting bread, came down with a click of vehemence. "It has always seemed silly to me—all the worry and bother——"
"But what can I do now, Bettina? I've started, and I'll have to go through with it! Why, even now, I ought to be home for dinner—mother has several guests—but I phoned her that I had a headache and was coming here, where I could be quiet. And I do have a headache—and no appetite, and——"
"Just wait till you taste this nice brown meat that I have in the oven, Alice! The trouble with you is that you've been eating silly party food for such a long time. And tonight you are to have a sensible dinner with plain people."
"Plain people? Who calls me plain?" interrupted Bob, coming in like a tornado. "Hello, Alice! How can you spare any time from all these festivities I hear about?"
For dinner that night they had: