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.
"I can scarcely wait till I'm needed"
"If you mean Tea Kettle, Saucy," answered CoffeePot 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'steafor B. this morning."
Sauce Pan kept on saying, "Tea for B." so long that Coffee Pot began to cry:
Coffee Pot began to cry
"Eggs and toast and tea,That doesn't mean me.Coffee is better—Though not wetter—For breakfastThan tea, tea, tea."
"Tee-hee—Tee-hee—Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan, pointing to Coffee Pot tan-ta-liz-ing-ly, who began to cry in earnest.
"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.
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.
Boiled eggs.
"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 askedher 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."
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.
"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 butverygently 20 minutes.
1. Put eggs in sauce pan.
2. Cover them with boiling water.
3. Place on fire where the water will boil butverygently 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 sauceIt may not yet be sassy,"
sang the little fellow, dancing on the stove.
"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!"
"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."I think my heart is affected"If not used immediately, strain into another warmed pot.
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.
"I think my heart is affected"
If not used immediately, strain into another warmed pot.
"Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan.
"You might pour out the first cupful to clear the nose—I mean, spout—then pour it back again."
He stopped for breath.
glasses
"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."
"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."
"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.
"Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book."
THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP
She ran to put some oranges on the table
"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.
"Why I never was so surprised in my life"
"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."
"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!"
"Why didn't you call me, Sillies?"
"I—Ididcall you," cried Coffee Pot, sputtering more coffee over on the stove, "but I couldn't make you hear."
"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 everythingready 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."
"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!"
Sauce Pan whispered something to Coffee Pot.
"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 knewhowso 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.'"
"I can't get it off my mind, either."
bowl
"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.
"A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances.
A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA
"I'd like to know why not"
"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?"
"Oh, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah."
"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.
chimneyaunt and stove
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!Abookcan'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.
"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.
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.
To keep from laughing out.
Smiling pots and pans
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.
"I thought the house was on fire!" she panted.
THE TRAMP
Mary Frances peeped out of the window
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.
"Please, Miss—a cup o' tea—anything?"
"That's easy and quick! and Tea Kettle is just beginning to boil. How awfully cold and hungry the poor man looks!"
"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.
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.
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."
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!"
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.
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.
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.
The omelet.
"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 porchto 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.
"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.
"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!"
"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."
"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——"
"Are you hungry yet?"
"Dear," he began gravely.
"But, Father," said Mary Frances, "he was a lovely gentleman! I feel quite sure he was going totell me a beautiful story about when he was little—maybe a hundred years ago——"
moon
"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.
"It tastes like the auld country, shure."
COMPANY TO LUNCH
"Pug Nose." "Well, Nosey."
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.
"Oh, say, stop calling names."
"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 butter2 tablespoons flour1 cup hot milk¼ teaspoon saltdash 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.
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.
"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——"
"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."
"Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire"
"New boiled potatoes, green cabbage, etc; also nice to use for warming over cooked meats, like coldchicken 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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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 upSauce 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!"
"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."
The apples
It was Billy with Robert
She had only just finished the White Sauce, when the door-bell rang. She stopped to take the BakedApples 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.